Overview

• University of Cambridge researchers report that cross-linking hyaluronic acid immobilized glioblastoma cells and blocked invasion in vitro, as published in Royal Society Open Science.
• NMR spectroscopy showed that flexible hyaluronic acid adopts conformations that bind strongly to the CD44 receptor, while cross-linking shut down those signals.
• Cancer cells became dormant and non-invasive without being killed, with effects observed even at low hyaluronic acid concentrations.
• The authors propose that postoperative edema may dilute hyaluronic acid, increase its flexibility, and help explain frequent local recurrence after surgery.
• The findings are preclinical, with animal studies planned to assess safety and delivery before any human trials, and the team suggests potential applicability to other solid tumors.