Scientists at McMaster University and the Hospital for Sick Children in Canada have discovered that oligodendrocytes, cells typically supporting nerve function, aid the growth of glioblastoma by sending signals to tumor cells. Blocking this communication slowed tumor progression in lab models. The findings suggest an existing HIV drug, Maraviroc, could be repurposed for treatment.
A team led by Sheila Singh at McMaster University and Jason Moffat at SickKids identified how oligodendrocytes contribute to glioblastoma, the most aggressive brain cancer with limited treatment options and short survival times. These cells, which normally protect nerve fibers, alter their role to support tumor expansion through a CCL5/CCR5 signaling pathway. In laboratory models, disrupting this interaction significantly reduced tumor growth, as detailed in a study published in Neuron this year. Kui Zhai and Nick Mikolajewicz served as co-first authors. Singh described glioblastoma as an ecosystem: “Glioblastoma isn't just a mass of cancer cells, it's an ecosystem. By decoding how these cells talk to each other, we've found a vulnerability that could be targeted with a drug that's already on the market.” The research highlights Maraviroc, an approved HIV medication targeting the CCR5 receptor, as a potential quick-repurposing candidate. Moffat noted, “This finding opens a promising path to explore whether blocking this pathway can speed progress toward new treatment options for patients.” The work builds on the pair's 2024 Nature Medicine paper on cancer exploiting brain development pathways and was supported by Canadian research grants.
