{
  "id": 9000661,
  "title": "Engineered nanoparticles sensitize gliomas to radiotherapy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/engineered-nanoparticles-sensitize-gliomas-to-radiotherapy",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-21T20:20:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-nanoparticles-sensitize-gliomas-radiotherapy.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gliomas, a prevalent cause of cancer-related mortality among young adults, harbor a common genetic mutation in approximately 7,000 patients. This mutation affects the enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 1, which produces a molecule called 2-hydroxyglutarate. This molecule can circulate in the blood and reprogram immune cells in the bone marrow. While FDA-approved inhibitors exist to block 2-hydroxyglutarate production, the gliomas often recur and prove incurable.\n\nResearchers from the University of Michigan have discovered a new pathway that sensitizes these mIDH1 gliomas to radiation treatment. In their study, published in Nature Communications, the team developed mouse models with mIDH1-mutated gliomas and discovered that these tumors had increased autophagy and DNA repair capabilities. Autophagy helps clean the internal environment of the cell, while DNA repair allows the tumor to grow slowly and resist radiotherapy.\n\nTo overcome this resistance, the researchers developed nanoparticles that could be injected into the bloodstream and deliver small RNAs that inhibit the autophagy pathway. When these nanoparticles are released in the tumor environment, they locally block the autophagy pathway, making the cells more vulnerable to radiation. The treatment resulted in a 60% cure rate in mouse models, with no observed toxicity. Furthermore, the treatment induced T-cell memory, which eliminated recurrent tumors without further treatment. The researchers hope to conduct phase 1 clinical trials combining radiation therapy with the engineered nanoparticles.",
  "summary": "Gliomas are a major cause of cancer-related deaths in younger adults. About 7,000 patients harbor a common genetic mutation that affects the enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 1. This mutated enzyme, called mIDH1, can produce a molecule that can reprogram both the tumor cells and the environment in which they grow. The molecule, known as 2-hydroxyglutarate, can also circulate in the blood and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}