Mount Sinai and J&J's Cerenovus are taking a creative two-in-one approach to brain tumor treatment. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has entered a collaborative research agreement with Cerenovus to investigate an investigational liquid radioembolic agent that could tackle brain tumors on two fronts at once — cutting off their blood supply while simultaneously delivering targeted radiation.

The strategy pairs iodine-131 with TRUFILL n-BCA, an established embolic material, to occlude tumor-feeding vessels while concentrating radiation directly within the targeted vasculature. Meningiomas will be the first tumor type studied. Before any clinical trials, researchers will optimize the formulation using patient-derived 3D-printed vascular models and advanced imaging, followed by preclinical evaluation to assess safety and feasibility.

Key Takeaways:

• The investigational agent combines embolization and localized radiation delivery in a single approach
• Meningiomas are the first tumor type to be studied
• Early-stage work will focus on technical feasibility, agent localization, and delivery characteristics in controlled models
• Clinical studies will only proceed if preclinical data demonstrate sufficient safety and feasibility

Why it matters: Meningiomas are among the most common primary brain tumors, and current treatment options — surgery and radiation — carry significant risks. A targeted radioembolic approach could offer a less invasive, more precise alternative, potentially improving outcomes for patients who aren't ideal surgical candidates.