Risk for suicide appeared higher among individuals within the first year of a brain cancer diagnosis compared with the general population. This is a sad piece of research news and shows that not only do we need to improve the prognosis for brain tumour patients but we also need to be aware of the need for mental health support during tough, post diagnosis times
A genome-wide pattern found in tumours from brain tumour patients predicts life expectancy. The best indicator of life expectancy for a patient with glioblastoma (GBM) has been age at diagnosis. Now, an international team of scientists has experimentally validated a predictor that is not only more accurate but also more clinically relevant. Patients with the genome-wide pattern survive for a median of one year while patients without it survive three times as long, for a median of three years.
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland have developed a drug compound for the treatment of cancer that inhibits natural amino acids from entering cancer cells. Since amino acids are essential for the growth and division of cancer cells, this new LAT1 inhibitor makes it possible to inhibit their growth. The LAT1 transporter protein is abundantly present in the brain and in the blood-brain barrier, as well as in neurons and glials, which are cells that support neurons.
News here of a US based clinical trial for a novel immunotherapy treatment that “holds considerable promise” for GBM and click on the link for more on ‘melting away medulloblastomas’ as immunotherapy approach shows promise for paediatric brain tumours
Immunotherapy and in particular T-cells are in the news currently with relation to Covid-19 as immune clue sparks treatment hope so it is a good time to findout more about this in relation to brain tumours. From our website you can find out more here CAR-T cell immunotherapy or for a fuller understanding please read The Breakthrough a wonderful book of hope from Charles Graeber – and don’t forget that if you buy this book on Amazon use Amazon Smile and you can donate to Brain Tumour Research at no cost to you!
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