In this article, the Children’s Tumor Foundation offers a patient-friendly summary of an important scientific publication:
“Alternatively activated macrophages are associated with faster growth rate in vestibular schwannoma,” Published Nov. 12, 2024 in Brain Communications
Vestibular schwannomas (previously known as acoustic neuromas) are usually benign brain tumors that grow on the vestibulocochlear nerve and can cause hearing loss, imbalance, and tinnitus. Current treatments—such as careful monitoring, surgery, and radiotherapy—are limited, and there’s a need for new drugs to slow tumor growth.
This study used advanced imaging techniques to gain knowledge about the various cells inside these tumors. The key findings were:
- Growing vs. Static Tumors: Tumors that grow faster have a different mix of cells compared to those that are static and grow at a slower rate.
- Immune Cells’ Role: Faster-growing tumors have more of a specific type of immune cell called “alternatively activated macrophages.” These cells are known to promote tumor growth.
- New Targets for Treatment: The study suggests that targeting these macrophages or altering the tumor’s immune environment (the communities of cells and other components around the tumor that influence its growth) might help slow down or control tumor growth.
In short, understanding these cellular differences could lead to the development of new treatments that might reduce the need for surgery or radiation and improve the quality of life for patients with vestibular schwannoma.
The complete publication can be accessed at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11604085/
Gregory GE, Haley MJ, Jones AP, et al. Alternatively activated macrophages are associated with faster growth rate in vestibular schwannoma. Brain Commun. 2024;6(6):fcae400. Published 2024 Nov 12. doi:10.1093/braincomms/fcae400
