Development of small molecule therapeutic interventions as therapeutic options to combat glioblastoma (brain cancer)

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary brain cancer, and with current conventional treatment the average life expectancy is only 12-18 months. In the last 20 years, the 5 year survival of patients with glioblastoma has not improved. Due to the aggressive and highly infiltrative nature of the cancer cells, treatments that can combat the high proliferative capacity of the cancer cells are needed. P2X7R is a purinergic ATP sensing receptor and is over expressed in cancer cells compared to surrounding cells. It has roles in tumour cell proliferation, migration and invasion. As part of this project we will be testing various pharmacological agents (anti P2X7R compounds) in patient derived glioblastoma cultures, glioblastoma cells lines and a mouse model of glioblastoma. The small molecules will be tested for their anti tumour capacity to help inform extension of the findings into human clinical trials.