Next Generation Glioma Treatments using Direct Light Therapy

Introduction

Glioma is an extremely lethal cancer, due largely to the inaccessible nature of the brain and diffusion of cells from the tumour site. These diffuse cells are usually too deeply embedded in the brain to safely remove by current means.

Targeted Treatment Approaches

Targeted Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation is a promising form of glioma treatment to selectively eliminate glioma, including diffuse cells. However, the only current means of targeted ROS generation is photodynamic therapy (PDT), which generates ROS using expensive and potentially toxic photosensitisers (PS).

Limitations of Current Methods

• PS are ineffective against distant diffused cells.
• PDT introduces many treatment limitations.

GlioLighT Proposal

GlioLighT proposes a novel alternative form of targeted ROS generation: Direct Light Therapy (DLT). DLT uses 1267nm light to generate 1O2 species in glioma cells without dependency on a PS.

Advantages of DLT

The removal of PS will revolutionise glioma treatment, enabling novel treatment modalities to:

1. Vastly improve efficacy.
2. Provide earlier intervention options.
3. Reduce cost and complexity.

Research Objectives

However, whilst the principles of DLT have been demonstrated, little is known about how DLT achieves its anti-cancer effects or the extent of its therapeutic benefits.

Leveraging Existing Knowledge

Leveraging decades of accumulated PDT knowledge and technology development, GlioLighT will study DLT technology both independently and compared to PDT.

Focus Areas of Study

The effect of DLT on glioma and the brain, focusing on immunogenicity, will be studied to determine DLT’s:

• Efficacy
• Safety
• Mechanisms of action

Development of Technology

Novel ultrashort pulse (USP) light sources will be developed to maximise optical penetration and minimise safety risk, ensuring DLT is suited for clinical adoption.

Future Steps

Lastly, the development of the preclinical GlioLighT delivery and sensing system (pcGlio-DSS) ready for the next steps of clinical translation will bring DLT a leap closer to vastly improving glioma treatment in Europe and worldwide.