A study published in Nature Medicine by a team led by Manuel Valiente, head of the Brain Metastasis Group at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), shows that the administration of silibinin in patients with brain metastasis reduces lesions without causing any adverse effects.

This preliminary trial provides proof of concept that this compound could be a new effective and safe alternative to treat brain metastasis.

"We have demonstrated, taking into account all the considerations relevant to a compassionate use trial such as ours, that we can successfully treat brain metastasis", highlights Valiente. "This treatment could also be valid for any type of brain metastasis, regardless of the primary tumour that generated it", he added.

One of the biggest challenges in oncology is brain metastasis.

It is estimated that between 10% and 40% of primary tumours generate metastasis in the brain, a situation that worsens patient prognosis considerably.

Few advances have been made in terms of treatment; currently, brain metastasis is still being treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy.

In recent years, some alternatives have appeared in terms of targeted therapies or immunotherapy, but the percentage of patients who might benefit from these therapies is just 20% in the best-case scenario.

Source: CNIO Centro Nacional De Investigaciones Oncologicas