Fighting Brain Cancer: A New Plan with 3D Models

Brain cancer is a real challenge for doctors. One type, called glioblastoma, is especially tough to treat. For years, they've been looking for better ways to fight it. Recently, scientists have found a new target: a protein called CD73. This protein helps cancer grow and spread, making it a key player in the battle. To better understand CD73, scientists created a special lab model. They made tiny cancer balls, called tumor spheroids, using different gels. These gels acted like a home for the cancer cells, mimicking the real environment. After trying out a few, they picked the best gel for the job. Next, they tested a drug designed to stop CD73 from working. They wanted to see if this drug could slow down or even stop the cancer balls from growing. It's like adding a new weapon to the brain cancer fight.