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July, 2008
This ABTA Brain Tumor News bulletin is sent monthly to our e-subscribers. To ensure continued delivery of the ABTA Brain Tumor News to your e-mail address, please be sure to add info@abta.org to your address book.
If you cannot see the graphic border on this message, click here. In this issue:
Web Cast Addresses Malignant Gliomas
International Congress on Meningiomas and Awareness Day
Funding to Advance Brain Tumor Therapies
Exploring the Role of Surgical Dye
Neurosurgeons Weigh-In on Cellphones and Brain Tumors
Pediatric Research Summaries Available Online
NCI Offers New Research Information, Tools on Web Site
CyberKnife Discussion Available Online
2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Runners: Join the Sharing Hope Team!
Web Cast Addresses Malignant Gliomas
A recent “Patient Power” web cast on malignant gliomas is available at http://www.patientpower.info/webcastdetails.asp?dateid=6/18/2008&webcastid=SCCA061808. The discussion, hosted by cancer survivor Andrew Schorr, features Daniel Silbergel, MD, professor and chief of neurological surgery, University of Washington Medical Center; and Cynthia Cottle-Bailess, neurosurgery nurse coordinator, University of Washington Medical Center. The show discusses gliomas - oligodendrogliomas, glioblastomas, and oligoastrocytomas - their symptoms, treatment options, new therapies, and responses to typical patient questions before surgery.
International Congress on Meningiomas and Awareness Day
The 6th Annual International Congress on Meningiomas and Cerebral Venous Systems, September 3-6, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts will also feature an awareness day patient conference. Meningioma patients, individuals who care for them, and professionals are invited to the awareness day which will focus exclusively on meningiomas. Sponsored by the Brain Science Foundation and the Brigham and Women’s Department of Neurosurgery, the event features presentations on the latest surgical techniques, emerging and experimental treatment strategies, and inspirational stories. Meningioma Awareness Day information is available at: http://www.brainsciencefoundation.org/matriarch/MultiPiecePage.asp_Q_
PageID_E_208_A_PageName_E_newssecondawareness.
The 6th International Congress professional program is accessible at: http://www.themeningiomaconference2008.org/.
Funding to Advance Brain Tumor Therapies
A National Cancer Institute (NCI) grant, recently awarded to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Care Center, will help researchers advance new treatments for malignant brain tumors and identify genetic markers to guide individual treatment and care. The five-year, $12.5 million Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant will further research on two treatments: drugs that block the P13K pathway, known to fuel brain tumors, and Delta-24-RGD, a genetically-altered virus designed to attack glioblastoma cells. The grant will also support research into genes, or biomarkers, that may help predict patient response to treatment including sensitivity as well as cognitive and behavioral reactions. Identifying these biomarkers could ultimately make it easier for physicians to develop personalized treatment strategies. An MD Anderson Cancer Care Center news release provides details at http://www.newswise.com/p/articles/view/542084/. More information on NCI’s SPORE program can be found at: http://spores.nci.nih.gov/.
Exploring the Role of Surgical Dye
According to a recent study, the use of surgical dye may allow neurosurgeons to more accurately visualize and remove tumor cells. In a report titled, “Extent of Resection and Survival in Glioblastoma Multiforme: Identification of and Adjustment for Bias,” researchers analyzed survival rates in patients whose tumor removal was performed with a dye, 5-aminolevulinic acid, and those whose surgery was performed without the dye. Additional research is needed to further explore these results; a clinical trial at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois will help neurosurgeons better understand this new technique. The study appeared in the March, 2008 issue of Neurosurgery; a summary is available at: http://www.neurosurgery-online.com/pt/re/neurosurg/abstract.00006123-200803000-00003.htm;jsessionid=LXkLTRZk3ytJlyrFYGTyLVzyxHy2fl2tjvwN5hhvBZp
LLndtW3Wt!-1109333067!181195628!8091!-?index=1&database=ppvovft&results=1&count=10&searchid=1&nav=search.
Neurosurgeons Weigh-In on Cellphones and Brain Tumors
A recent New York Times article titled, “Experts Revive Debate Over Cellphones and Cancer,” recharged longstanding discussions about cellphones and brain tumors. The article summarized conversations between television talk show host, Larry King, and several prominent neurosurgeons who voiced their opinions on the topic. Read their interesting perspectives at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/health/03well.html?em&ex=1212552000&en=2f5021ffa77744e3&ei=5087%0A. The article also highlights the most recent research on the topic.
Pediatric Research Summaries Available Online
Technical summaries of research and information presented at medical conferences are often available online. The 13th International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (held June 29-July 2, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois) brought together physicians, researchers, mental health professionals, and other providers involved in the treatment and care of children with brain and central nervous system tumors. Abstracts, or summaries, of the presented research is offered at: http://www.ispno.com/page/page/4570046.htm.
NCI Offers New Research Information, Tools on Web Site
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) launched a new web site portal - “Science Serving People.” The site provides facts and statistics on cancer, and describes the role of NCI-funded research in treatment and care. The new site includes information and data on a variety of topics, including: the cost of cancer, cancer research advancements, the NCI budget process, cancer-related state legislation, and people impacted by NCI research. The new web site portal can be accessed at: http://www.cancer.gov/aboutnci/servingpeople.
CyberKnife Discussion Available Online
An ORlive web cast, “Benefits of CyberKnife Treatment,” is now available at http://www.or-live.com/. The presentation shows viewers the CyberKnife equipment while surgeons at the Duluth Clinic and the Miller-Dwan Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota explain the procedure. Free registration is required to access the recording. Once registration is completed, click on “Previous Webcasts” at the top of the page, followed by “Recent Webcasts.” Finally, scroll down and click-on “Benefits of Cyberknife Treatment.” While you are at the ORLive site, explore their many other brain tumor-related presentations.
2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Runners: Join the Sharing Hope Team!
It’s not too late! Runners registered to participate in the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon can still join the ABTA Sharing Hope Team and support brain tumor research. Contact Peggy at 847-827-9910 or peggy@abta.org for more information.
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The American Brain Tumor Association funds brain tumor research in the United States and Canada, and offers services to patients and family members throughout the world. Help us continue these services by supporting ABTA programs. A donation can be made at: http://www.abta.org/index.cfm?contentid=54.
This information is provided by the American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018. We can be reached by e-mail at info@abta.org, or by phone at 800-886-2282.
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