7β-hydroxycholesteryl-3-oleate has been shown to inhibit astrogliosis and intracranial glioblastoma growth. Local administration of 7β-hydroxycholesteryl-3-oleate inhibits growth of experimental rat C6 glioblastoma. These data suggest that 7β-hydroxycholesteryl-3-oleate might be useful for local glioblastoma chemotherapy. 7β-hydroxycholesteryl-3-oleate is a potent inhibitor of the endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis in brain showing a correlation between cholesterogenesis and reactive astrocyte proliferation. 7β-hydroxycholesteryl-3-oleate can reduce the astrocytic reaction following spinal cord injury, promoting the serotonergic reinnervation of a denervated territory. On 17 December 2010, orphan designation (EU/3/10/816) was granted by the European Commission to Intsel Chimos SA, France, for 7-beta-hydroxy cholesteryl-3-beta-oleate for the treatment of glioma. The substance is going to be injected directly into the brain tumour contained within liposomes, which are expected to carry the medicine into the glioma cells.