COLUMBUS, Ohio — Researchers made a significant discovery when it comes to helping stop the growth of a particularly dangerous type of brain tumor called glioblastoma.

According to a press release, researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC-James) found “that targeting PGM3 (an enzyme) can reduce tumor growth and eliminate glioblastoma cells.”

“This research is important because it has found a new target called PGM3. Blocking the PGM3 enzyme can break the connection between sugar and fat creation in cells, which helps stop tumors from growing,” said study lead author Deliang Guo, PhD, the founding director of the Center for Cancer Metabolism, in the release. “By targeting this enzyme, we can develop more effective treatments for glioblastoma, a brain tumor with very few effective treatment options.”

The release cites the Glioblastoma Foundation’s estimate that 15,000 people are diagnosed with this tumor each year.

“Glioblastoma is the most lethal primary brain tumor, with a median survival of only 12-16 months from diagnosis despite extensive treatments,” said Huali Su, PhD, the first author of the paper, and a researcher with the department of radiation oncology and Center for Cancer Metabolism at OSUCCC-James, in the release. “New molecular targets for glioblastoma are urgently needed.”

There were also researchers from France, the University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Irvine and University of Louisville on this team. Findings were published in “Science Advances.”