In Kathy's case, a powerful, experimental chemotherapy drug called doxorubicin, which has been notoriously hard to get past the barrier was delivered directly into her brain.

“What is interesting is the blood-brain barrier is a two-way street," said Eric Leuthardt. "By breaking it down you can get things into the brain, but also by breaking it down, now things can go from your brain out into your circulation, to your peripheral system, which includes your immune system.”

And the immune system helps fight cancer.

The procedure is dangerous, a compromised blood-brain barrier puts the brain at risk, but so far it has worked well for Smith. Patients diagnosed with glioblastoma tumors usually survive just 15 months after diagnosis.

But Smith has been fighting her cancer since 2009.

“Kind of makes you smile when they say you are a good candidate for something new," she said. "So I got worked into that study and it did work out beautifully.”

The team of neurosurgeons, from Washington University in St. Louis are hoping to publish a more formal report on their work later this year.

Vocabulary

blood-brain barrier: 血脑屏障

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