Bioadhesive patch targets residual glioblastoma cells after surgery

Glioblastoma is the most common and most aggressive brain tumor. It grows rapidly, infiltrates surrounding tissue, and recurs frequently even after surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A group of researchers led by Professor Víctor Yuste (Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) designed and tested bioadhesive patches intended to be placed directly where the tumor is removed during surgery.

The aim: target residual cancer cells that can remain after resection and contribute to recurrence.

The patch design is inspired by how mussels adhere to rocks. Using polyphenol-type molecules, the material can strongly attach to moist brain tissue and enable sustained, local drug release, an approach meant to concentrate activity at the surgical margin rather than throughout the body.

Among the tested versions, the patch containing catechin performed best. Catechin is a natural polyphenol found in green tea, cocoa, and some fruits. In the reported experiments, this option eliminated approximately 90% of malignant cells. The mechanism described involves oxidative stress: the material increases reactive oxygen species (ROS), triggering cancer cell death.

Professor Yuste emphasizes the rationale for local delivery: “If catechin were administered orally, it could cause unwanted systemic side effects. However, by adhering to the area from which the tumor has been removed, it can act locally, minimizing or even preventing the appearance of side effects.”

Beyond anti-tumor activity, the team reports further potential advantages for neurosurgical use. Jose Bolaños-Cardet, a researcher at UAB and the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), highlights infection control and handling: “these materials show high antimicrobial activity and excellent biocompatibility, which would help prevent infections and promote proper wound healing. Combined with their extremely low production cost and the simplicity of their fabrication, they represent a viable option in terms of future development, scalability, and potential investor interest.”

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona