"In a significant breakthrough the Translational Genomics Research Institute TGen has identified a drug propentofylline or PPF that could help treat patients with deadly brain cancer. In a study published today in the Journal of NeuroOncology TGen researchers report that PPF works to limit the spread of glioblastoma multiforme or GBM  the most common primary tumor of the brain and central nervous system  by targeting a protein called TROY. In addition TGen laboratory research also found that PPF increases the effectiveness of a standardofcare chemotherapy drug called temozolomide TMZ and radiation to treat glioblastoma. We showed that PPF decreased glioblastoma cell expression of TROY inhibited glioma cell invasion and made brain cancer cells more vulnerable to TMZ and radiation said Dr. Nhan Tran Associate Professor and head of TGens Central Nervous System Tumor Research Lab.  An advantage of smallmolecule PPF  which has been previously used in clinical trials in an attempt to treat Alzheimers disease and dementia  is that it can penetrate the bloodbrain barrier and reach the tumor. And the FDA has already approved it. Our data suggests that PPF working in combination with TMZ and radiation could limit glioblastoma invasion and improve the clinical outcome for brain tumor patients said Dr. Tran the studys senior author.  This study was funded in part by The Ben  Catherine Ivy Foundation. GBM is one of the most aggressive of all cancers and it affects people of all ages said Catherine Bracken Ivy founder and president of The Ben  Catherine Ivy Foundation. Funding research focused on helping patients survive longer is critical and studies such as this advance our goal of not only improving treatments for brain cancer but eventually finding a cure.  One of the primary treatments for glioblastoma is surgical removal of the tumor. However because of the aggressive way glioblastomas invade surrounding brain tissue it is impossible to remove all parts of the tumors and the cancer eventually returns and spreads. This insidious cancer invasion also limits the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy.  TGen found that PPF works to limit the spread of glioblastomas by targeting and knocking down the expression of the TROY protein. TGen researchers have linked TROY to the cellular mechanisms that enable glioblastomas to invade normal brain cells and resist anticancer drugs. New therapeutic strategies that target the molecular drivers of invasion are required for improved clinical outcome said Dr. Harshil Dhruv a TGen Research Assistant Professor and lead author of the study. Propentofylline may provide a pharmacologic approach to targeting TROY inhibiting cell invasion and reducing therapeutic resistance in glioblastomas.  One of the fundamental challenges in treating brain cancer with drugs is what is known as the bloodbrain barrier that separates circulating blood from the brain extracellular fluid in the central nervous system. This barrier works to protect the brain from toxins. However this security system is so effective at protecting the brain that it prevents many lifesaving drugs  all but some small molecules  from being able to treat cancer and other diseases of the brain. As a result there has been little progress in recent decades in finding new effective treatments for GBM. Median survival for newly diagnosed GBM patients is only . months. Only  percent of patients survive more than  years. Clinical trials revealed that PPF can cross the bloodbrain barrier and has minimal side effects Dr. Tran said. PPF could be easily translated to the clinic as an adjuvant therapy in combination with standard of care treatment for GBM patients.   This study  Propentofylline inhibits glioblastoma cell invasion and survival by targeting the TROY signaling pathway  also was funded by the National Institutes of Health under grants NS and P CA. To read the abstract visit httplink.springer.comarticle.s. About The Ben  Catherine Ivy Foundation  The Ben  Catherine Ivy Foundation based in Scottsdale Ariz. was formed in  when Ben Ivy lost his battle with glioblastoma multiforme GBM. Since then the Foundation has contributed more than  million to research in gliomas within the United States and Canada with the goal of better diagnostics and treatments that offer longterm survival and a high quality of life for patients with brain tumors. The Ben  Catherine Ivy Foundation is the largest privately funded foundation of its kind in the United States. For more information visit http Press Contact  Beth McRae  The McRae Agency    bethmcraeagency.com mailtobethmcraeagency.com About TGen  Translational Genomics Research Institute TGen is a Phoenix Arizonabased nonprofit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused on helping patients with neurological disorders cancer and diabetes through cutting edge translational research the process of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit. TGen physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities literally worldwide TGen makes a substantial contribution to help our patients through efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. For more information visit http Follow TGen on Facebook LinkedIn and Twitter TGen http"