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This is another market research survey. The Musella Foundation gets a donation from them when patients take the survey. They recently donated $2,500 to us, as well as paying each participant $70. Not bad for 30 minutes of your time! Let me know if you take the survey!
Until recently, this did not matter much, but as we get closer to treatments that can work on patients with unmethylated MGMT, this becomes of utmost importance. To recap: MGMT is a repair enzyme that can fix the damage caused by Temozolomide, making the cells resistant to Temozolomide. "Methylation of MGMT" means that the gene that codes for the MGMT repair enzyme is blocked so it cannot make the MGMT enzyme - which gives a better result for Temozolomide. "Unmethylated MGMT" thus means that the gene is not blocked, and it makes the repair enzyme, so Temozolomide has much less chance of helping. The controversy is that most tests do not say you are 100% methylated or unmethylated. It is open to interpretation of where the cutoff between methylated and unmethylated lies. Pathology labs should show the % of methylated cells in addition to the label of unmethylated or methylated, as this cutoff value can change.
This is one of the most exciting treatments in the pipeline, but it is only 1 patient. We will keep an eye on this.
Very impressive long term results. from phase 1 trials.
Disclaimer: Tocagen is a sponsor of the Musella Foundation
This is a different way to give Avastin - directly into an artery. One case doesn't prove anything but it is very nice to see.
This is proof of concept - that kids (aged 10-20) can at least tolerate the treatment.
I love this kind of combination - tries to cover all of the bases. I wish them luck. However, I am trying to change the system - it should be legal for a doctor to try this type of combination outside of trials. What happens if they determine that a different drug might do better if they switch it out for the one they chose now? It is back to the drawing board - design and set up another trial - waste a year or 2, and loads of money. There is a better way.
A completely new approach. I wish them luck. Looks very interesting!
This is a very important trial - hopefully it will allow GBM patients who happen to have the "bad" markers to do as well (or better) than the current standard of care does with GBM patients who have the "good" markers!
Impressive results, but it is on a small group of patients. We need more research on this.
Disclosure: I am on the patient advisory board at Duke.
I love these trials. The main advantage is the lack of side effects of the device. Although it is a nuisance to use - there is no nausea, no messed up blood counts, no pain. I wish them luck on this trial.
This study says that people with high blood sugar have a lower chance of developing a brain tumor. Although it is based on a huge number of patients, there aren't many brain tumor patients so I question the results. I would like to see further research on this - perhaps looking back to previous blood tests on a large group of brain tumor patients and comparing that to historical matched controls who do not have brain tumors.
May be a new target!
Interesting research found a new target in one of the worst forms of pediatric brain cancer, and luckily, found an existing drug that can be used against it. This researcher submitted a grant application to us in our current grant cycle to work on this project. Our National Walk To End Brain Tumors will be raising money for us to give out - If we raise enough money, hopefully we can fund her project and other very promising projects. Go to walktoendbraintumors.org for details on our event!
This treatment is being considered for approval by the USA FDA next week.. I will be speaking there as a patient advocate. Impressive results: Six-month progression-free survival was achieved in 41% of patients receiving GLIOLAN compared to 21% of patients who were operated on without the use of the drug p=0·0003
This is one of my favorite conferences. It is targeted at doctors, researchers and the people who invest in biotech. Not really for patients and families.
It will only be open for a few weeks. If you are thinking of applying, do it now and send it by fax. Do not mail it as you may miss out on it.
This is an exciting trial. An early pilot study showed pretty good results.
Disclaimer: This company is a sponsor of the Musella Foundation
This may be an option when you are told a tumor is inoperable.
Disclosure: this company is a sponsor of the Musella Foundation
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