For thousands of patients with recurring meningioma, a scientific breakthrough offers new hope where traditional treatments have reached their limits.
Imagine being diagnosed with a brain tumor that has returned after surgery and radiation, only to be told there are no standard treatments left to try. This is the reality for countless patients with recurrent meningioma, the most common primary brain tumor.
While often benign, these tumors can become aggressive, and when they return after initial treatment, options become severely limited. But across research laboratories worldwide, a revolution is underway. Scientists are peering deeper into meningioma's molecular blueprint than ever before, identifying precise targets for revolutionary new therapies that could finally change this outlook.
of all central nervous system tumors are meningiomas 4
people per 100,000 are affected by meningiomas 4
six-month progression-free survival for recurrent higher-grade meningiomas 4
The incidence of these tumors is actually on the rise, making the search for effective treatments more urgent than ever 4 .
For patients with recurrent higher-grade meningiomas, the prognosis remains challenging. The six-month progression-free survival rate is only 26-29%, highlighting the critical need for more effective systemic therapies 4 .
Traditional treatments like surgery and radiation therapy are local solutions. For tumors that recur or are inoperable, scientists are now focusing on targeted therapies that attack specific molecules that drive tumor growth.
One of the most promising discoveries is that 80-95% of meningiomas overexpress a protein called somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) 2 4 . This receptor acts like a "flag" on the tumor's surface, providing a perfect target for precision medicine.
This finding has paved the way for theranostics - an innovative approach that combines therapy and diagnostics. Doctors can now use SSTR2-targeting PET scans to precisely locate tumors, then deliver targeted radiation directly to the cancer cells using drugs like [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE 4 .
Beyond SSTR2, recent research has identified additional potential targets. A 2025 study that integrated genomic and proteomic data revealed several promising candidates, including BET1L, AKR1C3, and RSPO3 7 .
These molecules play key roles in tumor growth and survival pathways, offering new avenues for drug development.
In 2025, researchers at the University of Plymouth's Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence published a groundbreaking study in the journal eBioMedicine that could transform how we treat certain meningiomas 8 .
The research team, led by Professor Oliver Hanemann, followed a systematic approach:
They began by studying the molecular drivers of meningioma growth, particularly focusing on tumors linked to mutations in the NF2 gene, the most common genetic cause of meningioma.
Through their investigation, they identified a specific protein called ANXA3 that appears to drive the growth of certain meningioma cells.
Researchers then conducted experiments in which they blocked the ANXA3 protein in meningioma cell cultures and observed the effects on tumor growth.
The findings were significant. By blocking ANXA3 in laboratory settings, researchers were able to slow—and in some cases completely stop—meningioma cell growth 8 .
This discovery is particularly important for patients whose meningiomas are driven by NF2 gene mutations, as these tumors may be especially reliant on the ANXA3 protein for their growth and survival. Professor Hanemann explained: "Targeting ANXA3 may offer a more personalized approach to treating meningiomas in future, particularly for patients whose meningioma is a result of a mutation in the NF2 gene" 8 .
Laboratory discoveries are meaningless unless they can be translated into treatments for patients. Fortunately, several clinical trials are now testing these new approaches.
In March 2025, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) launched the LUMEN-1 clinical trial, a groundbreaking study investigating [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE for recurrent meningioma 1 2 .
The trial's primary goal is to determine whether the targeted treatment can improve progression-free survival - the length of time patients live without their disease worsening. Secondary objectives include assessing overall survival, safety, quality of life, and neurological function 1 2 .
Beyond radiation-based therapies, researchers are exploring multiple angles to combat meningioma:
Approaches using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) show potential for selectively silencing oncogenic drivers in meningioma .
The application of nanotechnology could significantly improve the delivery of gene therapies, though research in this area for meningioma is still in early stages .
The CEVOREM trial investigated combination therapies, achieving a six-month progression-free survival rate of 55% 4 .
What does it take to conduct this cutting-edge meningioma research? Here are some of the key tools and reagents scientists are using to advance the field:
Experimental compounds that block the ANXA3 protein to slow tumor growth in NF2-mutant meningioma 8 .
TherapeuticSmall nucleic acid molecules that can silence specific oncogenic drivers; potential for gene therapy approaches .
Gene TherapyEnhances the stability and targeted delivery of gene therapies across the blood-brain barrier .
DeliveryThe landscape of meningioma treatment is evolving from a one-size-fits-all approach to personalized precision medicine. As Dr. Karen Noble of Brain Tumour Research noted: "This breakthrough is a powerful example of the progress we can make with sustained investment in research. It offers real promise for transforming how we treat meningiomas and gives fresh hope to thousands of patients" 8 .
"Greater awareness and less invasive treatment options can't come soon enough. If future patients can be spared the kind of surgery I went through and the life-changing effects that followed, then this research brings hope — not just for treatment, but for better outcomes and quality of life."
The integration of molecular diagnostics with advanced imaging and targeted therapies will likely define the next chapter in meningioma care. Patients who once faced limited options may soon have treatments tailored to their tumor's specific genetic profile and molecular characteristics.
As research continues to unravel the complexity of meningioma, the hope is that what today seems like experimental science will become tomorrow's standard of care, offering new options for patients facing this challenging diagnosis.