Research

Existing Drug Shows Promise as Treatment for NF2-Related Schwannomatosis

There’s some exciting news for those with NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN) that might bring hope to treatment options!

A recent study explored the use of Brigatinib, a medication already used for lung cancer, as a potential treatment for NF2-SWN. The research, led by Dr. Scott Plotkin and a team of experts from various institutions like NYU and Johns Hopkins, investigated the effects of taking Brigatinib daily in 40 adult and adolescent patients with progressing tumors. These tumors included vestibular schwannomas, non-vestibular schwannomas, meningiomas, and ependymomas.

The results were promising! Brigatinib showed significant benefits for some patients. According to an article by the Miller School of Medicine, 10% of targeted tumors showed a radiographic response and 23% of all tumors showed a response on imaging tests. The article also shared that meningiomas in the brain and non-vestibular schwannomas were the most likely to respond to the medication. Up to a third of participants experienced improvements in hearing and pain reduction. This is a breakthrough for the NF2-SWN community, considering the current limited treatment options.

This research is a big step forward, offering a potential oral medication with good tolerability for managing NF2-SWN. It’s a reason to be optimistic about the future of treatment for this condition.

To read more about this exciting news, check out articles from the Miller School of Medicine and The New England Journal of Medicine.

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