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March 2010
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Run. Walk. Support. Volunteer.
Register today for ABTA's annual Path to Progress 5K Run/Walk, Saturday, May 22, 2010, at Soldier Field in Chicago. This year's event includes a 1 Mile Strut open to any interested participant.
Learn more.
Register Today for the ABTA Path to Progress Marathon Team
Interested in running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010 and supporting ABTA? Learn more.
SAVE THE DATE -
ABTA Events
March 20, 2010
Rochester, N.Y.
Mad for Meningiomas
March 21, 2010
Atlanta, Ga.
Run for Ian
March 22, 2010
Chicago, Ill.
Shamrock Shuffle
March 27, 2010
Brooklyn, N.Y.
8th Annual Cherry Blossom Walk
April 17, 2010
Madison, Wis.
The Steve Bolser Memorial Joggin for the Noggin 5K
April 18, 2010
Columbus, Ohio
9th Annual Kevin Mullin Memorial 5K Run/Walk
April 24, 2010
Franklin, Mass.
10th Annual Chad Dunbar Bowling Tournament
May 1, 2010
Charlotte, N.C.
2nd Annual Natalie Yokeley BBQ Dinner and Silent Auction
May 2, 2010
White Rock, N.M.
Gray Matters Run for Research
May 8, 2010
Milwaukee, Wis.
3rd Annual Strain for the Brain 5K Race/Walk
May 8, 2010
Vernon Hills, Ill.
12th Annual Vernon Hills Walk
May 8, 2010
Ypsilanti, Mich.
7th Annual Glio-Blastoff 5K
May 15, 2010
Carmel, Ind.
6th Annual Head for a Cure
May 22, 2010
Spokane, Wash.
2nd Annual Joggin for the Noggin
ABTA Offers Refreshed “Becoming Well Again” Resource
Being a brain tumor survivor often means adjusting to a “new normal.” To help you and your family cope with some of these new quality of life concerns, ABTA’s Patient Services Team offers the article series, “Becoming Well Again Through…” These articles address the topics of stress management, cognitive retraining, fatigue, rehabilitative medicine, and speech pathology. Learn more.
For additional information and support, please contact the Patient Services Team at 800-886-2282, or send us an e-mail at info@abta.org.
Join Us on Facebook
Join the more than 19,000 individuals who regularly follow the American Brain Tumor Association on Facebook. Check out ABTA’s Cause, Group and Fan pages. Learn more.
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ABTA Presents Inaugural Joel A. Gingras, Jr. Award
The American Brain Tumor Association presented its inaugural Joel A. Gingras, Jr. Award to Johnathan Gingras, president of the Joel A. Gingras, Jr. Memorial Fund, at a March 6 Gala held at the Philadelphia Union League Club. Recently, ABTA’s Board of Directors established The Joel A. Gingras, Jr. Award to be given annually to an individual, organization or group that, through philanthropy, advocacy, discovery or patient care, has had a major impact on ABTA’s ability to achieve its mission. A longtime supporter of the ABTA, the Joel A. Gingras Jr. Fund surpassed the $1 million dollar fundraising milestone in 2009. “This is truly a remarkable achievement and a testament to the love and generosity Joel continues to inspire in his family and friends,” said ABTA Board Vice President Claudette Yasell, who presented the award.
Brains on Bikes to Support ABTA, Raise Brain Tumor Awareness
Anne Feeley, a 55-year-old mother and glioblastoma (GBM) survivor, will cycle across America this spring and summer to raise brain tumor awareness and funding for research and patient support. Brains on Bikes sets out on April 9 from San Francisco with the ABTA/Kovarus Cycling Team joining and supporting Feeley on the first leg of her journey. Feeley will then ride cross country, distributing ABTA patient information along the way, until she reaches Washington D.C. in July. Visit the Brains on Bikes Web site. Read a news release about Brains on Bikes.
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Interested in hosting an ABTA Event?
Call us at 1-800-886-1281
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Study Links Patient Satisfaction with Improved Coping, Emotional Health
Cancer patients who were less satisfied with their treatment plan, including their role and their families’ role in medical decision making, were more likely to report psychological distress, anxiety, helplessness and “lower levels of fighting spirit.” Given the importance of treatment compliance, the authors of the study, appearing in the Feb. 25, 2010 Journal of Clinical Oncology, recommend that oncologists consider the possible interdependence between medical-care satisfaction and psychosocial/emotional health. Read a free summary of the research.
Patient Web Site Answers Radiation Questions
To help patients better understand radiation therapy, and to answer questions they may have before, during and after treatment, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has redesigned its patient Web site: ww.rtanswers.com. The new site explains the members of a radiation oncology treatment team; how radiation is used for various cancers; types of radiation equipment; questions to ask the radiation oncologist before, during and after treatment; potential side effects; suggestions for coping during treatment; and information on clinical trials.
Employed Adult Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors Sought for Survey
Researchers at Rice University are seeking childhood cancer survivors, ages 18 and older who are currently employed, to take a survey on issues and concerns pertaining to the workplace. Take the survey. For additional information, please call 713-348-2270 or send an e-mail to: hebl@rice.edu.
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ABTA Supported Research:
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Notch-Blocking Treatment May Kill Brain Tumor Cells
Scientists know that one of the chemical pathways within stem cells, known as the Notch pathway, is important for cancer stem cell growth. In a study appearing in a recent issue of the journal Stem Cells, researchers were able to coax a glioblastoma cell line to form tiny balls called neurospheres - organized groups of cells that can only form from stem cells. When treated with the drug GSI-18, a Notch-inhibitor, the spheres were reduced by 70 percent or more. In addition, molecular markers typically found on the surface of brain cancer stem cells diminished. Because some tumor cells remained after treatment, the study authors believe that additional therapies and/or an increased dosage of Notch-blocking drugs may be necessary to improve and optimize outcome. Read a news release on the study from the Kimmel Cancer Center. Read a free summary of the research.
Researchers Identify New Protein, Brain Tumor Treatment Target
Scientists believe they have identified a protein highly expressed in a subgroup of glioblastoma stem cells that may serve as an effective treatment target. In a recent animal study appearing in the online edition of the journal PLoS Biology, decreasing levels of the protein A20 reduced brain tumor cell growth and increased survival. Read a news release on the research from the Cleveland Clinic. Read the full study.
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Delayed Radiation May be Acceptable for Elderly GBM Patients
Although effort should be made to initiate radiotherapy as soon as possible after surgery in elderly GBM patients, waiting up to 21 days did not significantly alter treatment outcome. The study, “The timing of cranial radiation in elderly patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme,” appearing in the February issue of the journal Neuro-Oncology, studied the outcomes of nearly 1,400 patients undergoing radiation therapy following a GBM biopsy or full surgical resection. While previous studies have showed that waiting more than 22 days had a “significant inverse relationship with survival,” this study did not find significant changes in outcome for the patients in the study, who had a median delay of 15 days, not exceeding 21 days. Read the entire study.
New Treatment May Halt Glioblastoma Recurrence
Scientists studying glioblastoma tumors in mice believe they have found a way to stop cancer cells from growing back after radiation by blocking tumor access to critical oxygen and nutrients. In a recent study appearing in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers discovered that irradiated tumors turn to a little known secondary pathway to generate blood vessels necessary for growth. The researchers were then able to utilize a small molecule called AMD3100 to block the secondary tumor-growth process. Read a news release from Stanford University Medical Center. Read a free summary of the research.
Research Identifies Zinc Proteins Unique to Meningiomas, Medulloblastomas
Researchers have identified zinc proteins unique to meningiomas, and one highly expressed in medulloblastomas, believed to spur growth in these specific tumor types. In a recent animal study appearing in the journal BMC Cancer, scientists examined the mRNA and protein expression of human ZIC1, ZIC2, ZIC3, ZIC4 and ZIC5 genes in meningiomas compared to other brain tumors. The study identified ZIC1, ZIC2 and ZIC5 as molecular markers for meningiomas, and found that ZIC4 is “highly selective” for medulloblastomas. The findings may lead to future treatment targets. Read a free summary of the research.
Nanomaterials May Help Fight Brain Tumors
A team of scientists is studying a technique that uses gold-plated, iron-nickel microdiscs connected to brain-cancer-seeking antibodies to fight tumors. These microdiscs, which possess a spin-vortex, are positioned to sit dormantly on a cancer cell until a small alternating magnetic field is applied creating a shift in the vortices and oscillating movement. The energy from the oscillation is then transferred to the cell, triggering apoptosis (cell death), according to the study which was referenced on the cover of the February cover of Nature Materials, and appearing in the journal’s January issue. Since the antibodies are only attracted to brain tumor cells, the process leaves surrounding healthy cells unharmed. While the use of nanomaterials - tiny particles, generally atoms or molecules measuring between 1 and 100 nanometers - for cancer treatment is not new, the ability to kill cells without harming surrounding healthy cells has “incredible potential,” according to the study authors. Read a news release from the Argonne National Laboratory. Read a free summary of the research.
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The American Brain Tumor Association funds brain tumor research, and offers services to patients and family members worldwide. 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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©2009 American Brain Tumor Association
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