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One of the most promising new approaches is mentioned... combining Yervoy with nivolumab. GBM trials will hopefully be starting soon on htis combination.
I always recomment that our members on Medicare always get the best supplemental plan available. You save so much on treatments that will more than offset the cost of the insurance. We will soon see huge increases in the cost of brain tumor treatments!
This was presented at the Society of Neuoroncology meeting last week. Exciting news. Using a vaccine that had no significant side effects - and doesn't even require a tumor sample, 1/2 of the patients alive at the 5 year point, and 7 out of 16 still alive 5 to 7 years after treatment. This was from the original phase 1 trial. They completed a phase 2/3 trial last year and are just waiting to see the outcome. Hopefully they will present the results of that trial soon.
This is a free seminar from our friends at the David Zocchi brain tumor center.
Wish Upon A Hero Fundraiser for the Musella Foundation - you can text $5 to tghe Musella Foundation - only on Wednesday Nov 20.
One of my favorite doctors.. nice story
From our good friends at the IBTA. A lot of interesting things in this issue..
The Musella Foundation will also have a table at SNO - if anyone is attending, stop by and say hi.
This is a new system to optimize the treatment of GBMs using tumor treating fields.
I like the way this is set up. Although it is too small of a patient population to rely on (I hope they measure IDH1 mutations at the very least), it is a big step in the right direction. If it shows a benefit, then a larger study can be done.
Apparently. the standard schedule is better than the dose intensive schedule for GBM patients using Temodar. However, what I would love to see is a trial comparing different lengths of treatment. This trial used up to 12 months of treatment. Overall survivals were about 6 months after they stopped using the Temodar in either arm. Doesn't make sense to me to stop at 1 year.
I liked this trial in adults, and am happy to see it in pediatric. Hopefully it will allow Avastin to be used in kids without systemic side effects. It may have a higher chance of complications for the actual infusion, but then there is less exposure to the rest of the body, and if it is done the same way they use it on adults, it is just 1 infusion ever 3 months.
When I first heard about intra-arterial Avastin I thought it was a crazy concept, but then I talked to the researcher who does the procedure and he convinced me that it may work. I got him to speak at a support group meeting and videotaped it. Click HERE to see the video about the procedure in adults (I assume it is similar for kids)
Great idea - this should have been done years ago.
This is one of my favorite treatments.
Interesting new approach.. will keep an eye on this.
We awarded 2 important grants for pediatric brain tumor research. I would like to thank Isabel Simpson who shaved her head to raise money for research for helping to raise money for these projects, as well as all of my volunteers who helped with the National Walk To End Brain Tumors, especially Diane Bier, our National Walk Coordinator!
Our new guide has been updated and expanded from 71 to 116 pages. Available only as a pdf now. In a few weeks we will have printed copies to distribute!
If you shop at Amazon, please read this - you can generate donations to the Musella Foundation and it doesn't cost you anything extra!
Here is the brain tumor newsletter from our good friends at the IBTA.
They also mention that article on viruses and GBMs which I mentioned a few isses ago... I think that one is misleading... there might not be a direct cause involved but I feel there is some effect of the viruses to make the tumors more agressive, and I still feel the CMV is a good target for treatment of GBMs
Voices Against Brain Cancer is holding their annual NY City Walk / Run in Central Park, NY
This is a very good organization - I am working closely with them on an exciting new project that has the potential to make a major impact on brain tumors. I am also now the chairman of their grants committee. Please help support this event!
