Anti-seizure drug shows promise against aggressive childhood brain tumors

Researchers at Stanford Medicine have discovered that an existing anti-seizure medication can slow the growth of diffuse midline gliomas, devastating brain and spinal cord cancers that affect 300-400 U.S. children annually with a grim 1% five-year survival rate. This finding represents a significant breakthrough for a condition with extremely limited treatment options. Diffuse midline gliomas are highly aggressive tumors that originate in critical areas of the brain and spinal cord, making them particularly difficult to treat. The discovery that an already-approved anti-seizure drug may be effective opens new therapeutic possibilities and offers hope to pediatric patients and families facing this life-threatening diagnosis.