The Future of Brain Cancer Care: Combining Diagnostics and Targeted Radiation Therapy

Why is brain cancer so hard to detect and treat - and what if we could change that? In this episode of Rx for Biotech, host Chris Leidli sits down with Marc Hedrick, CEO of Plus Therapeutics, and Russell Bradley, General Manager of CNSide Diagnostics, to explore a new, integrated approach to treating some of the most challenging cancers in medicine: central nervous system (CNS) cancers, including glioblastoma and leptomeningeal metastases. Brain and CNS cancers are among the most difficult to treat because of the blood-brain barrier, which prevents most drugs from reaching tumors. In fact, only a small percentage of therapies can effectively cross into the brain—limiting treatment options and outcomes. Plus Therapeutics is tackling this problem with a novel approach using targeted radiation therapy delivered directly to tumors, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Their lead program uses a radioactive isotope (rhenium-186) delivered via nanoliposomes, allowing high doses of radiation to reach the tumor while minimizing damage to the rest of the body. At the same time, CNSide Diagnostics is helping physicians detect cancer earlier and monitor treatment response using an advanced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diagnostic test. This highly sensitive test can identify even small numbers of tumor cells—helping doctors make faster, more informed treatment decisions. Together, this combination of diagnostics + therapeutics + data represents a new model for precision oncology and personalized cancer care. In this episode, we discuss: • Why brain cancer is so difficult to treat • The role of the blood-brain barrier in limiting therapies • How targeted radiation therapy can improve outcomes • The importance of early detection and diagnostics • How monitoring tumor cells can guide treatment decisions • The future of integrated cancer care (theranostics) This conversation offers a powerful look at how innovation in both treatment and diagnostics could help improve survival and quality of life for patients with some of the most aggressive cancers.