Anti-Seizure Drug Slows Aggressive Childhood Brain Tumors

A Stanford Medicine–led study has found that an existing anti‑seizure medication can slow the growth of diffuse midline gliomas, a rare and aggressive form of childhood brain and spinal cord cancer. The researchers tested the drug in preclinical models and observed a significant reduction in tumor proliferation, suggesting a potential new therapeutic strategy for a disease that currently offers few effective treatments.

Diffuse midline gliomas account for roughly 300 to 400 new cases in U.S. children each year. The tumors arise in critical regions of the brainstem and spinal cord, making surgical removal nearly impossible and limiting the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapy and radiation. With a five‑year survival rate of about 1 %, the prognosis remains bleak, underscoring the urgency of novel interventions.

While the findings are preliminary and require clinical trials to confirm safety and efficacy in patients, the study highlights the promise of drug repurposing in oncology. If future research confirms these results, the anti‑seizure drug could offer a more accessible and potentially less toxic option for families confronting this devastating disease.