Start Spreading the News: Breakthrough for Brain Tumors NYC 5K Run/Walk

You'll want to be a part of the inaugural NYC Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, November 10, 2012. The event will take place at Hudson River Park Pier 84, West 44th Street & Hudson River Parkway, New York, NY. Click here to sign up for email notification when registration opens. Registration for our Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K Chicago is still open at www.breakthroughforbraintumors.org. 

American Brain Tumor Association Participates in Rare Disease Day
ABTA representatives took part in the Food and Drug Administration’s Rare Disease Patient Advocacy Day on March 1 at the FDA’s offices in Silver Spring, MD.  Participants representing a wide spectrum of rare disease organizations engaged in a day-long dialogue with FDA officials in sessions covering the agency’s role in the development of new drugs, biological products and devices, and discussed efforts currently underway aimed at addressing nationwide cancer drug shortages. 

Do Hormonal Differences between Males and Females Impact Tumor Growth and Treatment?
Data from a recently published study, Why Does Jack and Not Jill Break His Crown, illustrates that males have an increased incidence of both primary and metastatic brain tumors, as compared to females. The authors theorize that chromosome-based gene expression differences may occur in the first few days after fertilization, resulting in gender-based biologic differences in cell-signaling and physiology. These observations add to the understanding of survival rate differences and treatment responses for males and females. To read the full article on the differing genetic characteristics in tumor biology between males and females, click here.

Primary Site Medulloblastoma May Be Genetically Different from Metastatic Medulloblastoma
An international team of researchers, including ABTA Scientific Advisor Michael Taylor, MD at the Hospital for Sick Children, conducted a study of the genetic characteristics of primary medulloblastoma tumors and their corresponding metastatic sites. The research, presented in the February 2012 Nature, reports that the medulloblastoma metastases are genetically similar, but may not be identical, to the primary tumor. Since clinical approaches to medulloblastoma largely assume the primary tumor and its metastases are highly similar, researchers can now begin to address how these biologic differences may impact treatment results. The study received partial support through two ABTA Basic Research Fellowships. To read the abstract online, click here.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery and Outcomes for Skull Base Meningioma
A recent retrospective study of 255 patients with skull base meningioma concluded that stereotactic radiosurgery offers a high rate of tumor control and neurological preservation for patients with skull base meningiomas. The article, "Gamma Knife Surgery for Skull Base Meningioma", published in the March 2012 Journal of Neurosurgery, reports long term clinical outcomes (up to 10 years) for these patients.  Click here to read more.
 

Cognitive Functions Related to Treatment for Primary CNS Lymphoma (PCNSL)
A recent study of post-treatment neuropsychological evaluations for 50 patients with primary CNS lymphoma revealed that cognitive impairments were less prevalent in PCNSL survivors treated with high dose methotrexate-based chemotherapy alone versus those who received high dose methotrexate-based chemotherapy and whole brain radiation therapy. The research, "Cognitive Functions in Primary CNS Lymphoma After Single or Combined Modality Regimes," in the October 2011 Neuro-Oncology, reported that patients who received the high dose chemotherapy alone had higher scores across all neuropsychological tests including attention, executive function, motor speed, and memory. Mild cognitive changes were consistent with the known neurotoxicity of methotrexate-based chemotherapy treatment, but appeared to have less impact on quality of life than treatment that included whole brain radiotherapy.  For additional study information, click here.

Find a Clinical Trial Through TrialConnect
The American Brain Tumor Association offers a service that links brain tumor patients with appropriate clinical trials based on tumor type and treatment history. TrialConnect, a free and confidential service administered by EmergingMed, is offered in English and Spanish. Read more.

Consultation Services
Our Care Consultants provide brain tumor information, support and education for patients, families and health care professionals. Write
abtacares@abta.org  
or call our toll-free CareLine at (800) 886-ABTA (2282).