A/Prof Lenka Munoz received support from NFMRI from 2013 to 2016.
In a search for ways to limit the spread and to stop lethal recurrence of brain cancer, Dr Munoz’ research focuses on the inflammation caused by the tumour as a key to brain cancer progression. This research has found that cells surrounded with inflammation appear to move farther because the inflammation makes it easier for tumour cells to propel themselves through tissue. The more inflammation in the proximity of a tumour cell, the faster glioblastoma cells travel. This project will make this the first group to report that drugs turning off the activity of an inflammatory protein called MK2 are effective in blocking inflammation in brain tumours. Blocking inflammation may prevent the invasive spread of cancer cells into healthy brain tissue, thus preventing the formation of novel tumours and potentially improving patient’s response to temozolomide (Temodal) during chemotherapy. NFMRI funding enabled A/Prof Munoz to generate intellectual property, which was subsequently licensed to an industry partner and they are currently collaborating on pre-clinical development. With the molecule progressing towards clinical trials, A/Prof Munoz hopes that soon they will be able to offer patients with fatal brain tumours an effective treatment.
