Drugs used to fight HIV and AIDS are now being tested in the treatment of many brain tumors.

Scientists at the University of Plymouth’s Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence are conducting a clinical trial to see if the anti-retroviral drugs ritonavir and lopinavir could help people with neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2).

NF2 is a rare genetic condition that causes tumours to develop on the brain membranes, such as schwannomas (including acoustic neuromas), ependymomas, and meningiomas.

The RETREAT clinical trial, led by Professor Oliver Hanemann, builds on research by Dr Sylvia Ammoun and Professor Hanemann, whose research showed that these repurposed drugs could reduce tumour growth and improve survival.

In this year-long trial, patients will have a tumor biopsy and blood test before taking the drug for 30 days. After that, they will have another biopsy and blood test to determine whether the drug has entered the tumor cells and whether it has worked as expected.

Professor Oliver Hahnemann, Director of the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth, said: “This could be the first step towards systemic treatments for NF2-related tumours, both for people who have inherited NF2 and those who have a single NF2 mutation.”

If successful and expanded to a larger clinical trial, it would be a significant milestone for patients suffering from this disease, for which there is currently no effective treatment available.

“The use of repurposed drugs such as ritonavir and lopinavir is promising as they already have a strong safety record in people treated for HIV, allowing a quick transition from laboratory to patient treatment,” said Dr Karen Noble, Director of Research, Policy and Innovation at Brain Tumour Research.

Jane Sweeney, 57, from Cornwall, UK, who took part in the clinical trial, said the study is a ray of hope for people living with NF2.

In 1985, Jane had an operation to remove a tumour in her left ear, leaving her deaf. She was monitored with regular scans in the hope she would not need further treatment, but the tumour grew back.

“Losing your hearing is the worst thing about having NF2 because it’s very lonely and frustrating,” he said. “In January this year I had to undergo 15 months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is brutal; having four anaesthetic injections in my head was the most painful experience I’ve ever had, so it’s so important to find better and kinder ways to treat this disease.”