A novel therapy developed by an incubator company at Rosalind Franklin University is showing early promise in the fight against Glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of brain cancer.
UP Oncolytics presented preclinical findings at a major brain cancer conference hosted by the American Association for Cancer Research in Philadelphia, highlighting a Zika virus-based oncolytic therapy designed to both predict treatment response and drive tumor regression.
Glioblastoma remains one of the deadliest cancers, with approximately 13,000 new cases annually in the United States and a median survival of about 14 months. Despite broader advances in oncology, no new FDA-approved therapies have been introduced for the disease in the past two decades.
The company’s research focused on two key areas.
First, researchers demonstrated the ability to predict tumor response using transcriptomic analysis and machine learning. By identifying genetic and molecular markers, the approach aims to determine which tumors are most likely to respond to the therapy, enabling more personalized treatment strategies.
Second, the therapy showed significant therapeutic impact in preclinical models. Studies using low-neurovirulence strains of the Zika virus resulted in complete tumor regression and prolonged survival in patient-derived glioblastoma models.
The research was conducted in collaboration with multiple centers at Rosalind Franklin University, including its cancer biology and proteomics institutes, and supported by state innovation funding programs.
The therapy is designed to selectively target tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue, representing a potentially new treatment approach for a cancer that has seen limited innovation in recent decades.
UP Oncolytics is continuing its development efforts, with the goal of advancing the therapy toward clinical use for patients with glioblastoma.
KEY QUOTES:
“The ability to predict a tumor’s response to treatment ensures patients receive therapies most likely to be effective for their specific disease.”
Anna Lundeen, Graduate Student, UP Oncolytics
“They promise a new approach to effectively treating GBM tumors while minimizing impact on normal cells. We are working hard to bring this advance to patients.”
Parvez Akhtar, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, UP Oncolytics
“UP Oncolytics continues to meet key development milestones, and we are optimistic that this new approach to treating intractable cancer is on the horizon for GBM patients.”
Janice Urban, PhD, Interim Executive Vice President for Research, Rosalind Franklin University
