Defining pseudoprogression in glioblastoma multiforme. Pseudoprogression means that the MRI scan looks like there is progression when in reality it is not progression. It was rare until we started using Temodar at the same time as radiation, now it occurs in about 12% of the people according to this article (I heard other numbers of about 50%). This article is the first time I saw mention that there is a major survival advantage when you see pseudoprogression - more than double the survival time compared to people who do not get pseudoprogression.
Isotretinoin maintenance therapy for glioblastoma: A retrospective review. Isotretinoin (Accutane) is a drug approved for acne. Some doctors have been using it as maintanance therapy for GBMs to try to slow down regrowth of the tumors. This article reports on a small number of patients who tried it. There was an amazing increase in progression free survival, but no significant difference in the 2 and 3 year survival numbers.
By itself, an increase in progression free survival is meaningful to patients - this means a longer time of feeling relatively good. It also brings up the opportunity to combine it with other treatments and give those other treatments more time to work.
Irinotecan delivery by microbubble-assisted ultrasound: in-vitro validation and a pilot preclinical study. Irinotecan (CPT-11) looked like a very promising drug in the test tube and with other cancers, so it was tried IV in clinical trials with Avastin. It did slightly better but probably not worth the extra side effects. This project looks at a different way to get the drug into the brain at a higher concentration without hurting the rest of the body. I love concepts like this. IF they can get a high concentration in the brain, it may work much better.
?v-Integrin isoform expression in primary human tumors and brain metastases. Integrins are receptors on the cell membrane that help a cell communicate with it's enviorment. This article shows that there are various subtypes found on primary and metastatic tumor cells which may open up a new target to use for treatments. There is an Integrin blocking drug in trials for GBMs now (Cilengitide). Perhaps the trials should be extended to metastatic tumors.The early trials in GBM did not show significantly improved results but I wouldn't write this drug off yet - they need to find the best way to use it. I picture it as part of a cocktail approach.
Fundraisers: Mets and Twitter Please help with these fundraisers! Foward this to all of your friends - especially the Twitter part.
