Employees of the Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS and Novosibirsk State University have obtained new derivatives of betulinic acid — a natural compound from birch bark. The development is promising for the therapy of glioblastoma — one of the most aggressive brain tumors.

Glioblastoma rapidly invades surrounding tissues. Even with treatment, patients live on average no longer than 16 months. The standard approach — surgical removal, radiation, and chemotherapy — often does not yield complete results. In half of the patients, the tumor stops responding to medications, and it is impossible to completely remove all cancer cells during surgery. Scientists are looking for new ways to combat this disease, including with the help of natural compounds.

Novosibirsk researchers have created esters and amides of betulinic acid with a special structural fragment. In laboratory tests, these substances more effectively suppressed the migration of glioblastoma cells than betulinic acid itself and natural astaxanthin. In addition, the new compounds proved to be less toxic.

First, scientists determined the concentrations at which the substances inhibit the growth of tumor cells. Then, an artificial defect was made in a dense layer of cells, and its healing rate was observed. The slowing of this process meant that the compound interfered with the spread of cancer cells. New derivatives of betulinic acid showed the best result.

The patent authors note that the invention can be used in cancer therapy. The development has not yet been introduced into clinical practice, but it opens up prospects for creating new anti-tumor drugs based on natural components. Further research will focus on preclinical trials and studying the mechanism of action of the obtained compounds. Scientists hope that their work will help improve the results of glioblastoma treatment and reduce the toxic effects on patients' bodies.