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Our next webinar is today! Monday, May 20, 2024 (2pm EST) ReSPECT GBM Phase 2 Trial, Dr. Norman LaFrance & Dr. Marc Hendrick, Go to virtualtrials.org/webinar to participate!
Our next webinar is tonight! Thursday, May 16, 2024 (7pm EST) University of Michigan high-grade glioma trial, Dr. Maria Castro & Dr. Pedro Lowenstein. Go to virtualtrials.org/webinar to participate!
The Musella Foundation became an official 501(c)(3) non-profit on May 12, 1998. Read more about the organization, its history and accomplishments HERE!
Go to virtualtrials.org/webinar a few minutes before each event to participate!
Tuesday May 14, 2024 (7pm EST) Duke Clinical Trials, Dr. Annick Desjardins
Thursday May 16, 2024 (7pm EST) Results from University of Michigan high-grade glioma trial, Dr. Maria Castro and Dr. Pedro Lowenstein
Monday May 20, 2024 (2pm EST) ReSPECT GBM Phase 2 trial, Dr. Andrew Brenner and Dr. Marc Hendrick
Thursday May 23, 2024 (6pm EST) Empowering Brain Tumor Patients, Dr. Isabelle Germano, Dr. Kevin Elmore, and Dr. Stanislav Lazarev (NOTE: This webinar is hosted by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and may be accessed by visiting https://bit.ly/3UuvmRK)
Wednesday May 29, 2024 (7pm EST) IMVAX Phase 2b trial, Dr. Brad Zacharia
This is a very important publication. It shows that combining a personalized dendritic cell vaccine with an immune-boosting adjuvant can improve treatment efficacy. This Phase 2 study specifically looked at two different immune modulators - poly-ICLC and resiquimod - and found that poly-ICLC triggered a stronger immune response when given in combination with the vaccine. Although the trial was not designed to make survival comparisons, the authors reported noticeable differences between the study groups. For the IDH mutant/grade 3 cohort, all 4 patients who received the vaccine + poly-ICLC were still alive at the time of data cutoff (3 patients >10 years and 1 patient >9 years). For the grade 4 (GBM) patients, there was a trend towards improved progression-free and overall survival with the vaccine adjuvant compared to the vaccine alone, but the differences didn't reach statistical significance (likely due to small number of patients).
As part of the National Walk to End Brain Tumors, the 15th annual Minnesota Brain Tumor 5K is coming up on May 19th. This is a great event for everyone in the Minnesota area. All funds raised go directly to the Musella Foundation and will be used exclusively for brain tumor research!
Very exciting news! DB107 is the new name for a previously tested 2-drug combination (Toca 511 + Toca FC). The Musella Foundation was an early supporter of the treatment via grants, back when the drugs were owned by a company called Tocagen. Early trials did well. The large Phase 3 trial failed, but there was a small subset of very successful responders. At first, nobody knew why only some patients benefited, but the company that now owns the drugs (Denovo) discovered a new biomarker they believe accounts for the favorable response. Based on this discovery, new trials will be launched to confirm the treatment helps patients who have the relevant 'DGM7' biomarker. This large grant will help fund the trials, and we hope to see enrollment opening soon!
To watch our GBM AGILE trial webinar from last week, click HERE.
Coming up next:
Tuesday May 14, 2024 (7pm EST) Duke Clinical Trials, Dr. Annick Desjardins
Thursday May 16, 2024 (7pm EST) Results from University of Michigan high-grade glioma trial, Dr. Maria Castro and Dr. Pedro Lowenstein
Monday May 20, 2024 (2pm EST) ReSPECT GBM Phase 2 trial, Dr. Andrew Brenner and Dr. Marc Hendrick
Thursday May 23, 2024 (6pm EST) Empowering Brain Tumor Patients, Dr. Isabelle Germano, Dr. Kevin Elmore and Dr. Stanislav Lazarev (Hosted by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sanai)
Wednesday May 29, 2024 (7pm EST) IMVAX Phase 2b trial, Dr. Brad Zacharia
Check out our upcoming webinars!
Wednesday May 1, 2024 (7pm EST) GBM AGILE (Adaptive Global Innovative Learning Environment) trial, Dr. Timothy Cloughesy
Tuesday May 14, 2024 (7pm EST) Duke Clinical Trials, Dr. Annick Desjardins
Thursday May 16, 2024 (7pm EST) Recent results from University of Michigan high-grade glioma trial, Dr. Maria Castro and Dr. Pedro Lowenstein
Monday May 20, 2024 (2pm EST) ReSPECT GBM Phase 2 trial, Dr. Andrew Brenner and Dr. Marc Hendrick
Wednesday May 29, 2024 (7pm EST) IMVAX Phase 2b trial, Dr. Brad Zacharia
We are also partnering with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai for a webinar on Thursday May 23 - details coming soon!
From our friends at the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. We need help encouraging NY state legislature members to support The Pediatric Cancer Neuropsychological Needs Assessment Act (S.8750). This bill will add pediatric cancer to the list of disabilities covered by insurance so that children with brain tumors will be able to qualify for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to help them thrive and succeed at school. For more information, please reach out to patientadvocacy@curethekids.org.
Experts at the University of Michigan are investigating a two-pronged attack for treating high grade glioma. Their Phase 1 first-in-human trial tested two adenoviral vectors (HSV1-TK and Flt3L) injected directly into the tumor bed after resection. Of the 18 patients enrolled, 14 had gbm, three had gliosarcoma, and one had anaplastic ependymoma. The treatment was well-tolerated, and median OS was 21.3 months. The 2-year survival rate was 40%, with seven patients living beyond two years, three patients beyond three years, and one still living 60 months after enrollment. Study investigators believe this treatment approach may be even more effective for IDH1-mutated patients. We'll be doing a webinar on this exciting new treatment on May 16 (see above)!
Last week, FDA granted accelerated approval for tovorafenib (brand name OjemdaTM). This is great news for pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG) patients and families. FDA had approved another drug combo (dabrafenib with trametinib) for BRAF V600E-mutated pLGG last year, but OjemdaTM is the first approved drug for both BRAF mutations and fusions. Early research for this drug was supported by the Team Jack Foundation in Nebraska, and it was brought to market by Day One Biopharmaceuticals - congratulations to all who contributed!
Very interesting approach. This pilot study of 12 patients achieved median progression-free survival of 9.1 months and median overall survival of 17.6 months. Four of the 12 (33%) patients have survived more than two years, with the longest surviving patient currently out to 60 months. Looking forward to seeing a larger phase 2 study!
The DIPG / DMG Research Funding Alliance (DDRFA) has shared an urgent request for donations to help sustain the only active sonodynamic therapy (SDT) trial currently available for children with DIPG. This trial has shown promising preliminary data, but it's at risk of closing due to insufficient funds. If you are familiar with this trial and don't want to see it shut down, you can make a donation to DDRFA and make sure to note that your donation is for 'SDT.' If you need more information before donating, feel free to reach out to us!
The SonoCloud-9 is an investigational implantable device used to open the blood-brain barrier in order to improve delivery of anticancer treatments to the brain. Results from the Phase 1 SonoCloud-9 study can be read here. A Phase 2a study just opened at Northwestern University in Chicago for newly diagnosed GBM patients with unmethylated MGMT gene promoter.
UCSF is developing a new, advanced type of CAR-T therapy using a novel technology called synthetic notch (synNotch). A Phase 1 study to test safety just opened this week for patients with newly diagnosed EGFRvIII+ GBM with unmethylated MGMT promotor status, and a second trial is in the works for 2025.
Interim results from this trial were shared at the SNO 2023 annual meeting (see here). We look forward to seeing final results when they get published!
We are hosting several important webinars in May for Brain Tumor Awareness Month! Please mark your calendars for the following:
Wednesday, May 1 (7pm EST) GBM AGILE trial, Dr. Timothy Cloughesy
Tuesday, May 14 (7pm EST) Duke Clinical Trials, Dr. Annick Desjardins
Monday, May 20 (2pm EST) ReSPECT GBM Phase 2 trial, Dr. Andrew Brenner and Dr. Marc Hedrick
Wednesday, May 29 (7pm EST) IMVAX Phase 2b trial, Dr. Brad Zacharia
More to come!
UCLA Brain Tumor Center is hosting the 24th Annual UCLA Brain Tumor Conference on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11, 2024. Join patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals at this free conference to hear leading healthcare professionals and advocates speak about the latest on brain tumors, treatments, symptom management and community resources. Friday sessions are virtual and Saturday sessions are in person!
Dr. Ricardo Komotar has performed over 7,000 brain tumor surgeries. He serves as Director of the University of Miami Brain Tumor Initiative, Director of the UM Neurosurgery Residency Program, and Director of the UM Surgical Neurooncology Fellowship Program. In addition to all that, he runs a podcast! On a recent episode, he talked with Al about the Promising Pathway Act and how it will speed up the search for a cure for brain cancer.
