Targeting Zinc Transporters in Glioblastoma: Mechanisms and Novel Therapeutic Delivery

Glioblastoma is an aggressive form of brain cancer with few effective treatment options. Over the last few decades, improvements in patient outcome have been extremely limited due to the tumour’s ability to spread rapidly and due to the difficulty of delivering therapies into the brain. Zinc is essential for healthy cell function, particularly in the brain, and its levels are tightly controlled by proteins called ZIP-transporters. In many cancers, increased ZIP-transporter activity significantly contributes to tumour growth, but their role in glioblastoma remains poorly understood.

Previously, we developed agents that block ZIP-transporter activity, showing that they can slow the growth of other aggressive cancers. This project will investigate the role of ZIP-transporters in glioblastoma and assess whether they are promising targets for new treatments.

Due to the challenges in delivering drugs to the brain, we will also explore the incorporation of ZIP-targeting agents into a novel local delivery method using small particles called microcarriers; soft, sponge-like materials that can be implanted during surgery to release treatment directly at the tumour site. This approach may offer a new and more effective way to treat glioblastoma, overcoming current barriers in treatment and ultimately improving outcomes for patients.