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I went to use the discount card recently and the pharmacist said it was invalid, so I checked and the PDF version had a digit missing, which the plastic cards we distribute had correctly. So I fixed the PDF and now both the plastic cards and the pdf should work. For the PDF, you just pull it up on your smartphone and show the pharmacist!
Very exciting trial. DNX-2401 is an oncolytic virus that had some success alone with GBMs - they reportedly even had 3 complete responses (out of 37 patients). At last report, these 3 patients are still alive and have no evidence of disease 3.2, 2, and 1.75 years after treatment - See details at: http://www.onclive.com/conference-coverage/sno-2014/Oncolytic-Virus-Shows-Early-Promise-in-Glioma#sthash.CQvVJ6Pr.dpuf This used to be called Delta-24-RGD-4C.
Keytruda is a checkpoint inhibitor which has the potential to reverse the immune inhibition that GBMs have. Combining these 2 treatments might make a major breakthrough. When the oncolytic virus kills a tumor cell, the Keytruda might allow the body's immune system to recognize and learn from the dead gbm cells and to kill the living GBM cells.
Talks about a new approach, including a new trial that is already open for newly diagnosed GBM that has unmethylated MGMT. For details on that trial, go to https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02287428
This is a relatively new, FDA approved robotic laser surgery. This article mentions the ability to target tumors in very hard to reach areas.
This reports on a clinical trial comparing a shorter course of radiation for the elderly with glioblastomas. There was no difference when they cut the radiation to 1 week compared to 3 weeks and the total dose of radiation cut by about 45%. Both resulted in short survival and progression free survival times and had equal quality of life, so it seems that for the elderly (or frail) patients, we can cut the radiation to just 1 week which is a lot easier for the patient, without changing the outcome.
This is always a fun event and benefits one of my favorite brain tumor centers.
Sounds interesting
Unbelievable that New Zealanders could have access to this surgical aide and USA patients can't.
Finally some good news - Caffeine may help!
This updated the results that were presented last year. They still look great!
This is a video about a patient that went through the Tocagen trial.
This is a big milestone for the Optune system. This treatment is now available in most areas of the USA. If it isn't available near you, you can ask your doctors to get certified.
Voices Against Brain Cancer is accepting letters of intent for brain tumor research grants. Deadline is 8/30/15. Go to http://www.voicesagainstbraincancer.org/request-a-grant/ for details. I am the chairman of VABC's grant committee!
This is an amazing concept. Hope it works out.
We helped fund the early work on this (They mention us in the press release!). For details on how this drug works, go to: oncoceutics.com/therapeutic-approach/
It is always great to find out why a treatment fails, and how to make it work better. Novocure now has a system in place where the doctor can shape the field by determining placement of the electrodes to better hit the tumor compared to the first generation of the system
This study will allow brain tumor patients to participate. We funded some of the preclinical work on this. Great to see it move into human trials!
We funded some of the earlier studies mentioned. This is a big step toward human trials.
