LFAC Is Spending Some Money

After another successful Monster Bash and another successful Pampered Chef Open House, Leap-for-a-Cure is finally going to spend money! Several doctors, including Dr. Long - Heather's neurosurgeon - have asked to purchase an fMRI (Functional MRI). This technology helps to further examine the anatomy of the brain and helps to determine precisely which part of the brain is handling critical functions such as thought, speech, movement, and sensation, which is also referred to as brain mapping. The fMRI monitors the growth and function of brain tumors and helps to guide the planning of surgery, radiation therapy, or other treatments for the brain. Before Heather's first surgery, she had to go to another hospital for this procedure. Although the purchase decision is not final, the doctors are working together to purchase a machine to help with brain tumors.

In addition, a summer conference / seminar is still in the planning stages. Again, several doctors, including all of Heather's, are involved. Again, the keynote speaker will be Dr. Susan Chang, Heather's neuro-oncologist in San Francisco.

In an age where science seems to do the unimaginable, only three new brain cancer treatments have been FDA approved in the past 25 years. This must change. For the patients living with glioblastoma, the families that support them, and the doctors that treat them, finding improved treatments is not an option—it’s a necessity. Although there are probably many research ideas that I do not know about, I have heard of two which provides some promise.

First, the Ivy Glioblastoma Atlas Project will show which genes are active – or not functioning normally – within a glioblastoma tumor at a level of detail not previously possible. The development of better therapies depends on understanding the key molecular changes that drive brain tumor behavior. Since glioblastoma is a highly heterogeneous disease—meaning that brain cancer manifests itself differently in each person—it is challenging for researchers to discover effective treatments. Each treatment plan needs to be highly personalized and the development of better patient therapies depends on an improved understanding of the differences in brain tumors. This detailed information from the Ivy Glioblastoma Atlas Project will move us closer to making personalized medicine a reality.

Second, a vaccine for treating a recurrent cancer of the central nervous system that occurs primarily in the brain has shown promise in preliminary data from a clinical trial at the University of California, San Francisco. The vaccine actually provokes a tumor-specific immune response that is patient specific. T-cells, the killer compound of the immune system, track down the cancer and try to kill it. The vaccine concept is not new, but until now, it has been used as a treatment of last resort, reserved for patients whose brain tumors showed evidence of reoccurring. UCSF used the vaccine at the beginning of a patient's brain tumor treatment regimen. It was a quick injection that will be followed up with others in the weeks to come. So far, so good. The idea is to combine the tumor vaccine early, while the cancer is being weakened by chemotherapy and radiation. The hope is patients will then be able to manage the disease using their own immune system. "The best outcome would be that...we convert this deadly cancer into a chronic disease, like diabetes or hypertension. Something a medication can take care of, that's our goal." WOW - we could happily live with that!

Wedding update: Plans are moving forward for Heather and Mike's big day: July 31. Her wedding dress is hanging in one of our closets and will be altered later this spring. All the bridesmaids' dresses are ordered, the church and our minister have been secured, the band and photographer are good to go. I know we have much work yet to do, but I feel we have a good start. We will be meeting with the caterer and deciding about the cake sometime in January. Of course, there are so many little things - things I will probably forget - that need to be done. No matter what, the day will be SPECIAL!

Heather and I head to San Francisco on Sunday for her bi-monthly appointment. Because she is no longer taking chemo, we are a bit more anxious than usual for a good "status quo" report. I will keep you posted. As always, please keep Heather in your prayers.