Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer known. Even after surgery to remove the visible tumor in the brain, the disease often returns. This is due to loose tumor cells that remain in the surrounding brain tissue. These cells later grow again into a tumor.
Researchers from the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology now have a possible way found to tackle precisely those remaining cells. Not with extra radiation or heavy medications, but with a thin type of bioadhesive membrane. This so-called patch found his inspiration from an unexpected source: the mussel.
Why glioblastoma is difficult to treat
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In glioblastoma, tumor cells do not grow neatly together. They spread between healthy brain cells, making it impossible to cut them all away without causing damage. Post-treatment also does not always reach every cell in the surgical area.
That is precisely why the place where the tumor has been removed is so crucial. This is often where the cells that later cause new tumor growth are located. This new method ensures that only the harmful cells are tackled. Important cells that are located near the tumor growth are left alone. This offers new possibilities for the targeted treatment of this very aggressive form of cancer.
An idea from nature
Mussels are known for their ability to cling tightly to wet surfaces, even in wild seas. They do this using specific chemical structures that work well in humid conditions.
The researchers used that principle to create a thin, bioadhesive membrane that adheres well to moist brain tissue. The membrane is placed on the surgical wound during the operation and remains there, without additional glue or stitches.
What happens then?
The membrane contains chemical compounds, which in this application ensure that they not only adhere to the surface, but also have a biological effect.
In laboratory and tissue models, it turned out that the material around remaining glioblastoma cells causes a strong increase in so-called oxidative stress. This stress disrupts essential processes in the tumor cells, causing them to lose their ability to survive. Healthy brain cells responded much less strongly to this effect.
What does this mean now?
The research is still in its early stages and has been conducted in preclinical models. This means that it is not yet known whether and how this approach will work in patients. Clinical applications are therefore still in the future.
Yet the research shows that there are new ways to make better use of the moment immediately after an operation. By intervening precisely there, where the risk is greatest, researchers hope to reduce the chance of glioblastoma returning in the future.
We have written about this subject before, for example also read These ‘treacherous’ brain cells help brain cancer grow (but there may be a cure) and Mussel helps us with glue for our blood vessels.
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date:2026-02-12 14:14:00
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