Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive and lethal brain cancers diagnosed in adults. In the United States alone, approximately 14,000 new glioblastoma cases are reported each year, and even with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, the median survival remains less than 18 months. Surgeons can remove the primary tumor mass, but they cannot eliminate the microscopic cancer cells that infiltrate nearby healthy brain tissue. These residual cells are the source of recurrence of the cancer.
Huang’s lab has developed a nanoformulation of verteporfin, known as NanoVP, which has shown significant improvements in potency, tumor penetration, and delivery compared to currently approved photosensitizers used for photodynamic therapy.
“Modulight designs and manufactures medical laser systems and light delivery solutions required to activate and monitor NanoVP treatment progress during brain cancer surgery.“