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This researcher is saying that combining 3 immunotherapies resulted in dramatic survivals in mice and wants to try it in humans with GBM. This is one of the most promising avenues of research. The drugs are available (in trials for other cancers). These researchers have asked us to fund the trial, but we did not have enough money to do so. The only thing holding up the trial is funding. If anyone wants to help us fund this, contact us!
This study suggests that starting radiation 30-34 days after surgery may be better than starting sooner - or later than 35 days.. However, they did not correlate it with WHY some patients waited 30-34 days, others waited over 34 days and yet others had radiation sooner. That might account for the differences. To test this correctly, patients should be randomized to start radiation at the standard time or at 32 days and see if there is a difference.
This is one of the most important articles of the year. One of the main problems that slows down drug development for GBMs is the inability to agree on tumor response or progression. If this method is proven to work, it can drastically speed up the search for the cure.
This study on recurrent GBM patients is disappointing. 97% of the patients died. Clearly we need better treatments. However, given this information, it seems better to add CCNU than to use Avastin alone.
This shows that it is probably safe to the fetus to have radiation therapy to the brain while in the 3rd trimester.
I have heard of a few cases where people took the wrong dosage of Temodar. It is pretty complex compared to the medicines we are used to taking. There are 3 main sources of errors: Doctor prescribing wrong dose, pharmacy giving you wrong dose or instructions, and patient making a mistake in understanding the instructions.
First - do a reality check. Go to http://virtualtrials.com/temodar/dose.cfm and figure out what the ideal dosage should be for you. The doctor may have reasons for changing it but if it is not close to what this app says, ask him why it is different.
Next: Make sure the pharmacist has clearly marked how to take the capsules. There are different sizes that are used to add up to the correct dosage. Make sure to double check before taking each dose: how many mg you are supposed to take and then how many you are about to take.
IF you have any questions, call the doctor, nurse or pharmacy before taking them. If your mind is not completely sharp, ask someone else for help to double check the medication before you take it. Read the warning instructions before starting.
Love to see "100%". Worth looking into for brain mets.
Good to see new teams of researchers working on Tumor Treating Fields, but I wonder why they didn't use Novocures' NovoTAL system which allows the doctor to optimize the field strength at the tumor.
This is a survey looking at the emotional impact of cancer. Please take a few minutes to fill it out.
Our Copayment assistance program is now closed to new applicants. We will, of course, be able to pay claims for all of those people that have already been approved! We will reopen the program if / when we get more donations earmarked for that program.
This is mostly good news about the DCVax trial. This is one of my favorite trials. There are 2 major announcements:
1. The patients on the compassionate use arm of the trial seem to have done much better than expected. These patients had the vaccine made but were excluded from the trial because they had a recurrence before the trial could actually start. These patients usually die quickly but the vaccine seemed to help those.
2. They have changed the number of patients in the trial, as well as the point in time when they evaluate the trial. This may be good or bad - hard to tell. The good point is that will increase the chances that the trial shows positive results, however it is going to delay the results - maybe by a year. As the ICT-107 trial showed, when you look at the results too early, you can't see the effect the treatment has on the "tail" - the number of people who do well for a long period of time. You just see the people who did not respond to the treatment.
If you need help paying for your treatments, send it the applications as soon as possible. I think it will only be open another day or 2.
I know it is early - but please keep this in mind! This is a win for everyone. We always buy our textbooks online. Compare the prices to the school bookstore, and get them wherever they are cheaper.
This study shows relatively good results for the combination of Avastin and lomustine. It also showed disappointing results for Avastin alone. However, the bottom line was almost all patients died, so we need more work to get better treatments.
The Novocure system is now available in Europe and Israel!
I usually do not post stories like this but perhaps this congressman can become an ally in our fight to get a new law to make all major brain tumor centers considered as "in network" on insurance plans. This senator chose 2 of the best hospitals in the country to get treatment for his tumor. Why is it fair that the average person isn't allowed that same opportunity?
This is always a great conference for patients and anyone interested in brain tumors!
Ben is an old friend of mine. He is a 19 year survivor of a GBM! I love his writing style. This is an update of his article on supplements. All of his articles and books are worth reading!
Dr Jim is a friend of mine - he launched a kickstarter campaign to produce a music CD. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will help support his research!
