Stem cells — popularly known as a source of biological rejuvenation — may play harmful roles in the body, specifically in the growth and spread of cancer. Amongst the wildly dividing cells of a tumor, scientists have located cancer stem cells.
Unraveling Brain Tumors -- Molecular Biologists Devise Strategy To Starve Brain Tumors
ScienceDaily () -- Brain tumor researchers have found that brain tumors arise from cancer stem cells living within tiny protective areas formed by blood vessels in the brain. Killing those cells is a promising strategy to eliminate tumors and prevents them from re-growing. The researchers have found that drugs that block new blood vessel formation can destroy the protected areas and stop cancer from developing.
Electromagnetic Resolution for 2008?
by Marcelle Cendrars / December 26th, 2007
Dissident Voice, CA - Dec 26, 2007
Studying brain cancer, for example, is one of the toughest jobs in epidemiology, according to Devra (Let’s provide a cozy sit-down, holiday ambiance here, ..
Drug Study For Brain Cancer Shows Promising Results
ScienceDaily (Dec. 14, 2007) — A clinical study conducted at Henry Ford Hospital on the use of a drug to extend the survival of patients with the most common and aggressive type of brain cancer, has yielded results that were significantly better than expected.
Hospitals Look to a Nuclear Tool to Fight Cancer
Posted by Soulskill on Friday December 28, @08:18AM
from the not-from-orbit-so-dont-say-it dept. The feed points us to a NYTimes article about hospitals using particle accelerators to treat cancer. While expensive, proponents say that the proton beams generated by the accelerators are more precise than conventional X-ray radiation therapy. This results in fewer side effects and reduced irradiation of surrounding tissue. The technology's critics say that the cost is not justified by a measurable increase in the level of care given to the patients. Nevertheless, this is an excellent example of "pure scientific research" leading to a useful, unrelated technique. From the NYTimes:
Tykerb® plus Xeloda® Effective for Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer - Cancer Consultants (press release)
Tykerb® plus Xeloda® Effective for Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer Cancer Consultants (press release), TN - 59 minutes ago In a study presented at SABCS, researchers evaluated the effects of Tykerb plus Xeloda among 49 women with HER2-positive breast cancer and brain metastases. ... |
Duke, UNC Researchers Target ‘Achilles Heel’ in Brain Tumors
Editor’s note: This article is part of WRAL Local Tech Wire’s efforts to highlight research at universities across the Carolinas and Georgia.
DURHAM - Researchers at Duke University Medical Center and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill are exploiting an "Achilles Heel" of brain tumors that may selectively kill tumor cells while sparing surrounding brain tissue.
DURHAM - Researchers at Duke University Medical Center and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill are exploiting an "Achilles Heel" of brain tumors that may selectively kill tumor cells while sparing surrounding brain tissue.
Coping With Cancer During the Holidays
A Guide for Patients and Caregivers
The holidays can be a particularly difficult time of year when a family is coping with a brain tumor. It is not abnormal to feel like your usual holiday cheer has been overshadowed by incongruent feelings. Here are the Brain Tumor Buzz’s top ten helpful hints to ease the process……….. “Before you call the whole season off.”
1. Normalcy is Good- This is especially important when you feel so detached from your normal holiday cheer or excitement. The goal this year is to find a new normal, while honoring family tradition.
2. Create a New
3. Do Not Isolate-Even though you may not be in a celebratory mood. Do not avoid the holidays. Most people do find relief in participating in some holiday activities. It is healthy to be around others, and can help you to feel supported.
4. Allow Others to Offer Support-Many people do not know how to respond when someone they know and love has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Allow others to help in their own way. Some are good at cooking, others like to clean, shop, or decorate. These activities can be a big help during this busy time of year. Remember, people would not offer if they did not want to help. Do not feel like you are burdening them. This allows them to feel supportive and helpful to you.
5. Be Respectful-Try to discuss the holidays ahead of time. This will allow caregivers to plan appropriately for parties, presents, and decorating. As caregivers, we help from the heart, but not always the mind. Be respectful of decorating, cooking, and other planning. These activities can be very emotional for someone with a brain tumor, and may be more upsetting then good.
6. Express Yourself-Brain tumors require multifaceted treatments, which often include mood altering agents. Steroids and other medications have a nasty way of wreaking havoc on normally pleasant people. This can become very overwhelming quickly in combination with the normal stress that accompanies the holidays. Therefore, it is important to allow for happiness, sadness, and every emotion in between. Emotions and crying are normal and facilitate the healing process. Remember, mood fluctuations in individuals with brain tumors are normal. Do not take them personally.
7. Set Your Own Pace-Brain tumors often bring aphasia or other speech difficulties. Remember that crowds may be too overwhelming for your loved one. Try to arrange smaller group gatherings if possible. Provide frequent breaks or limit visits to avoid frustration. Make a signal together so that they can discreetly inform you when they need a break.
8. Rest and Relax-Remember, it is important to take care of yourself first. Do not overdue it. Let your body and mind direct your activities, and remember to take a break. Try shopping from home this year or allow others to shop for you.
9. Protect Yourself-This is an important message to patients and caregivers alike. Many germs come with all of those holiday visitors and their goodies. Do not be afraid to set boundaries with others, and limit visitors. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments rely on healthy recipients. Lastly, stay away from the buffet. This is a breading ground for germs from dirty hands, and from food that is often not properly refrigerated.
10. Cooking Caveats-The chemotherapy and radiation that accompany brain tumor treatment often like to bring their naughty friends nausea and vomiting to dinner. Try cooking when your loved one is at appointments if possible or while he or she is sleeping. Have food catered or allow family members to do the cooking for you. Eating out is another option, but beware of germs. Food served cold is also more palatable for some. Avoid foods that are too spicy or bland, depending on your needs. Eating with plastic utensils can help decrease the metallic taste that some people experience.
Newly Diagnosed - Getting Organized
If you are new to the world of brain tumors, one of my biggest suggestions would be to get organized. This disease is darn near a full-time job. I suggest the following book as it's title speaks for itself. If money is tight, make sure you pick up some sort of binder and calendar as you will need to be somewhat organized.
Brain Tumors: Leaving the Garden of Eden--A Survival Guide to Diagnosis, Learning the Basics, Getting Organized, and Finding Your Medical Team
Also, there is a newly diagnosed guide with a load of information at virtualtrials.com.
Also, there is a newly diagnosed guide with a load of information at virtualtrials.com.
Generic Dilantin Issues
Technically, all generic versions of Dilantin should be equivalent to their brand-name counterparts. Apparently, problems with breakthrough seizures and generic dilantin are nothing new. Unfortunately, some neurologists will not tell you this until it is too late.
Things you need to know:
Dilantin is manufactured by Pfizer.
Generic Dilantin is made by the following companies:
- Mylan Pharmaceuticals
- Apotheca
- Taro Pharmaceuticals
- Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories
- Hospira Worldwide
- Baxter Healthcare Corp.
- Actavis
- Morton Grove Pharmaceuticals.
- My father's original prescription was filled at a local pharmacy wherein he received Mylan's version of Dilantin.
- Blood levels were around 7 with no breakthrough seizures.
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- Next script was filled through a mail order pharmacy with Taro's Version of Dilantin.
- Seizure within days.
- Blood levels dropped to 4.
Things to think about
- Generic pills do not look the same as dilantin
- One generic may work - however switching to another may cause seizures. If you are stable on a particular brand of Dilantin or phenytoin, it is best for you to stay on that brand, if possible. If you must switch brands, your healthcare provider may want to check the level of Dilantin in your blood.
- switching from dilantin to generic or generic to generic is not a good idea
- Make sure the precription is written correctly - No Substitues
- Talk to you pharmacist
Additional Information a 2004 Article from WebMD
Generic Epilepsy Drugs Not the Same
Patients Warned Switching Between Dilantin and Generic Brands Can Cause Relapses
State-Of-The -Art Therapy for Glioblastoma Multiforme
This article was written by Dr. Henry Friedman. Henry S. Friedman, MD, is an internationally recognized neuro-oncologist with a career-long interest in the treatment of children and adults with brain and spinal cord tumors. He has written hundreds of articles on both the clinical and laboratory investigation of these neoplasms.
Blog Introduction
First of all, you are probably wondering who I am and what I know about the world of brain tumors. I am the child of a father who was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma IV(GBM)
in the spring of 2007. This blog is my best effort at compiling the type of info that I was searching for when all of a sudden this cancer became part of my life. I'll focus on helping people find information and hope. No statistics or time-lines here! Alstto please feel free to email me with any questions. I can't promise that I can answer everything but I promise that if I don't have the answer I can point you in the right direction.
Celldex Therapeutics Announces Orphan Drug Designation For CDX-110, A Novel EGFRvII Vaccine For Glioblastoma Multiforme
PR Newswire
December 7, 2007
PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. -- Celldex Therapeutics announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation for Celldex's CDX-110 for the treatment of EGFRvIII expressing Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). GBM is the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer. CDX-110 is an immunotherapy that targets the tumor-specific growth promoter EGFRvIII. Celldex Therapeutics announced a definitive merger agreement with AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVAN) in October 2007.
In the ACTIVATE phase IIa study, CDX-110 treated GBM patients showed a median survival time of 30 months, more than a 100 percent increase in survival, versus the historical control's median of 14.5 months. The study has demonstrated a median time-to-progression of 13 months (p=0.0001) versus the historical control's median of 6.4 months. An extension study, ACT II, which combines CDX-110 with chemotherapy in a similar patient population, has not yet reached median time-to-progression or survival. However, preliminary progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) data in ACT II look very similar to the ACTIVATE experience, and the data suggest that chemotherapy and CDX-110 can be administered concurrently while still maintaining strong immune responses.
In September, Celldex randomized its first patient into ACT III, a definitive Phase II/III randomized study of CDX-110 with radiation and temozolomide in patients with newly-diagnosed GBM. The clinical trial is investigating the anticancer activity, impact on survival, and safety of the addition of CDX-110 vaccine to standard of care, versus standard of care alone. Celldex has currently enlisted 18 clinical centers throughout the United States, and also recently received approval from Health Canada to open enrollment in Canada. Furthermore, The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has agreed to collaborate with Celldex in expanded clinical development of CDX-110 under a Clinical Trials Agreement.
"Obtaining orphan designation for CDX-110 is an important milestone for Celldex," said Thomas Davis, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Celldex Therapeutics. "Approval to expand clinical research into Canada and the scientific and clinical collaboration from the National Cancer Institute all promote our ability to fully explore the promise of CDX-110."
What is Brain Cancer?
In order to define brain cancer we must first understand a little bit about the composition of the brain itself.
The brain is a soft, spongy mass of tissue. It is protected by the bones of the skull and three thin membranes called meninges. Watery fluid called cerebro-spinal fluid cushions the brain. This fluid flows through spaces between the meninges and through spaces within the brain called ventricles.
A network of nerves carries messages back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body. Some nerves go directly from the brain to the eyes, ears, and other parts of the head. Other nerves run through the spinal cord to connect the brain with the other parts of the body. Within the brain and spinal cord, glial cells surround nerve cells and hold them in place.
The brain directs the things we choose to do (like walking and talking) and the things our body does without thinking (like breathing). The brain is also in charge of our senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell), memory, emotions, and personality.
The three major parts of the brain control different activities:
Cerebrum—The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It is at the top of the brain. It uses information from our senses to tell us what is going on around us and tells our body how to respond. It controls reading, thinking, learning, speech, and emotions.
The cerebrum is divided into the left and right cerebral hemispheres, which control separate activities. The right hemisphere controls the muscles on the left side of the body. The left hemisphere controls the muscles on the right side of the body.
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Cerebellum—The cerebellum is under the cerebrum at the back of the brain. The cerebellum controls balance and complex actions like walking and talking.
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Brain Stem—The brain stem connects the brain with the spinal cord. It controls hunger and thirst. It also controls breathing, body temperature, blood pressure, and other basic body functions.
Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body.
Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die, and new cells take their place. Sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.
Benign and Malignant Brain Tumors
Brain tumors can be benign or malignant:
Benign brain tumors do not contain cancer cells:
Usually, benign tumors can be removed, and they seldom grow back.
The border or edge of a benign brain tumor can be clearly seen. Cells from benign tumors do not invade tissues around them or spread to other parts of the body. However, benign tumors can press on sensitive areas of the brain and cause serious health problems.
Unlike benign tumors in most other parts of the body, benign brain tumors are sometimes life threatening.
Very rarely, a benign brain tumor may become malignant.
Malignant brain tumors contain cancer cells:
Malignant brain tumors are generally more serious and often are life threatening.
They are likely to grow rapidly and crowd or invade the surrounding healthy brain tissue.
Very rarely, cancer cells may break away from a malignant brain tumor and spread to other parts of the brain, to the spinal cord, or even to other parts of the body. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.
Sometimes, a malignant tumor does not extend into healthy tissue. The tumor may be contained within a layer of tissue. Or the bones of the skull or another structure in the head may confine it. This kind of tumor is called encapsulated.
Tumor Grade
Doctors sometimes group brain tumors by grade—from low grade (grade I) to high grade (grade IV). The grade of a tumor refers to the way the cells look under a microscope. Cells from high-grade tumors look more abnormal and generally grow faster than cells from low-grade tumors.
Primary Brain Tumors
Tumors that begin in brain tissue are known as primary tumors of the brain. (Information about secondary brain tumors appears in the following section.) Primary brain tumors are named according to the type of cells or the part of the brain in which they begin.
The most common primary brain tumors are gliomas. They begin in glial cells. There are many types of gliomas:
Astrocytoma—The tumor arises from star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes. In adults, astrocytomas most often arise in the cerebrum. In children, they occur in the brain stem, the cerebrum, and the cerebellum. A grade III astrocytoma is sometimes called an anaplastic astrocytoma. A grade IV astrocytoma is usually called a glioblastoma multiforme.
Brain stem glioma—The tumor occurs in the lowest part of the brain. Brain stem gliomas most often are diagnosed in young children and middle-aged adults.
Ependymoma—The tumor arises from cells that line the ventricles or the central canal of the spinal cord. They are most commonly found in children and young adults.
Oligodendroglioma—This rare tumor arises from cells that make the fatty substance that covers and protects nerves. These tumors usually occur in the cerebrum. They grow slowly and usually do not spread into surrounding brain tissue. They are most common in middle-aged adults.
Some types of brain tumors do not begin in glial cells. The most common of these are:
Medulloblastoma—This tumor usually arises in the cerebellum. It is the most common brain tumor in children. It is sometimes called a primitive neuroectodermal tumor.
Meningioma—This tumor arises in the meninges. It usually grows slowly.
Schwannoma—A tumor that arises from a Schwann cell. These cells line the nerve that controls balance and hearing. This nerve is in the inner ear. The tumor is also called an acoustic neuroma. It occurs most often in adults.
Craniopharyngioma—The tumor grows at the base of the brain, near the pituitary gland. This type of tumor most often occurs in children.
Germ cell tumor of the brain—The tumor arises from a germ cell. Most germ cell tumors that arise in the brain occur in people younger than 30. The most common type of germ cell tumor of the brain is a germinoma.
Pineal region tumor—This rare brain tumor arises in or near the pineal gland. The pineal gland is located between the cerebrum and the cerebellum.
Secondary Brain Tumors
When cancer spreads from its original place to another part of the body, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the primary tumor. Cancer that spreads to the brain from another part of the body is different from a primary brain tumor. When cancer cells spread to the brain from another organ (such as the lung or breast), doctors may call the tumor in the brain a secondary tumor or metastatic tumor. Secondary tumors in the brain are far more common than primary brain tumors.
Genentech Reveals Encouraging Avastin Data - Update [DNA]
11/19/2007 11:19:39 AM Monday morning, biotechnology company Genentech Inc. (DNA) announced that its cancer drug Avastin showed encouraging results in a Phase II study in treatment of patients with the most aggressive form of brain cancer, over a six-month period. The company said that the findings exceeded its expectations and it plans to discuss next steps with the U.S. Food and Drug administration or FDA.
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