Friday, 22 December 2017

Prepare perillyl alcohol (POH)

Dear friends!



Can you please advice witch product № ...code we should buy to prepare perillyl alcohol (POH) from picture below?



Who knows trustful  instruction how it should be prepared/diluted?



Company wich sell https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/papers/24324108



Many thanks in advance !



Leonid

The test of the effectiveness of specific drugs on cancer cells obtained from one patient

Hello!

My mother has glioblastoma. The doctor offered us a test - "Onconomics Plus" (the test of the effectiveness of specific drugs on cancer cells obtained from one patient).

https://www.rgcc-group.com/index.php?page=test_onconomics_plus
Price: 1900 €
This laboratory has branches in many countries.

As written on their website:
Test "Onconomics Plus"
Provides information about the efficacy of specific drugs on the patient. The method includes two procedures (epigenetic analysis and viability assays) to validate the data. The efficacy of natural biological substances or extracts on cancer cells. The assessment is based on the three methods: the direct cytotoxic effect, the stimulation of the immune system and the inhibition of proliferative signals in the cancer cells.

Sample of the report:
https://www.rgcc-group.com/assets/PDF/Test.SamplesOfTheReport/OnconomicsPlus/Chemoagents-patient's-name.pdf



What do you think? Is this test necessary?
Can there be more effective tests?

Thursday, 21 December 2017

(AVASTIN+CCNU) + Nivolumab after standard chemoradiotherapy?


Hello!

I, like many of you, need optimal treatment for my mother.
My mother has glioblastoma (MGMT methylated). She just finished the standard course of radiotherapy + TMZ. At the moment I'm looking for how to be treated more effectively.

Our doctor advises adding 8 courses of Nivolumab together with AVASTIN + CCNU.
He says that with such a combination, the probability of a complete cure is 30%.
Also, with such a combination, the doctor suggests not using TMZ.
All this seems to me very doubtful!

What would you suggest?

With respect to all and best wishes, Semyon

Wednesday, 20 December 2017

Pathology Report

Hi all,

I had the tumour out on Nov. 10 and just received my completed pathology report today. I’m diagnosed with an AA3, not an Oligo 2 as previously thought. Can you all review the report and help me make my next steps from here? Thanks.

IDH1 R132H positive
ATRX - negative (lost, suggestive of mutation)
P53 - highlights scattered background of glial cells (negative in tumour, suggestive of try care by mutation)
MIB-1 proliferation index is 7.7%
504 kb gain of SOX2
1.9 mb gain of OKI (no gene disruption)
21.2 Mb broad gain of 7q, an
8.7 Mb gain of 12q

Let me know if I should give you anything else. That’s is all that is listed though.

Thank you!
Marrow Plus 

Morning - Does any one have experience with a product named Marrow Plus by Health Concerns? A reader of my original post suggested I look into it as a way of boosting blood levels in my wife. Her platelet counts are really low. Thanks and gratitude. Rick 

Tuesday, 19 December 2017

Full results of EF-14 phase 3 Optune trial published in JAMA

Click here to see the abstract

I uploaded the study to the Brain Tumor Library -> Optune folder.  The file is called "2017.12 Stupp EF-14 Optune phase 3".
Dear friends, It is URGENT!!

My sister has 3 kids (41
years) in May 2017 was diagnosed in Anoplastic multiform glioma.

Pathology report shows:
MGMT – Non methylated

IDH1 (R132) negativ (IHC)

PCR signal unmethylierte sequenz – positiv

PCR signal methylierte sequenz – negativ

ATRX: partieller Verlust (IHC)

H3K27M: negativ (IHC)

From August 2017 she got
Temodal for 3 months (7 days in, 7 days off).
growing continue.

In November she got Avastin +
Ironatecan
growing continue

December: just Avastin

Now she is getting:

Kepra 3000
Vimpat 100
Dexamethason 8 mg
Vitamin C, B, D
L-Carnitin+Lymphdiaral
Boswellia serrata
Unizink
Kytta Sedativu
RSO – 0,5 a day
Ajurvedic treatment

Plan to have Optune in 10
days.

So far we cant stop the
growth.

Can you please advice useful
protocol/treatment plan which can help stop tumor grow?

Many thanks  in advance.

Best regards,
Leonid 

Monday, 18 December 2017

Our Clinical Trials Exploration Update/ What to stop when? Cannabis oil and kinase inhibitors?

We have spent the last couple of weeks traveling to explore Clinical Trials for a recurrence of my husband's GBM tumor. At MD Anderson we were offered Val-083 (3 days of infusions every 21 days), Abemaciclib to target a CDK2NA copy loss and LIT surgery.

I still have not heard much about Val-083, pros or cons, side effects...

At Duke he was offered the polio virus and we very excited but as we were about to sign the paperwork and asked more questions about side effects our guts told us not to do it. We were told it will get worse before it gets better, inflammation is almost a definite and worsening of symptoms. My husband has had very little pain and wants to avoid it at all costs. We were told they have the dosage correct and can manage the swelling with Dex or a tiny amount of Avastin but we still did not think the risk was worth it. They also offered daily Temodar.

This brings us back to Northwestern where he is currently being treated. They have a Basket Trial of Entrectinib to target his FIG-ROS1 mutation. It is supposed to be have very low side effects. We were there Friday and still have yet to hear back from the drug sponsor to see if he is accepted. They inquired as to the actual location of his mutation.

I have read that cannabis oil is not a good idea with immunotherapies. Has anyone heard if there is a contraindication with kinase inhibitors?

Lastly I was curious when people stop cocktail drugs or supplements? I know a lot of the cocktails are designed to help radiation and TMZ work so I am wondering after you have done all the supplements and additional cocktail drugs and cannabis oil and Optune and  positive thinking and everything else you can think of and the tumor still comes back, what do you continue? Do you believe that those treatments didn't help if the tumor comes back or did they maybe help a little and you should continue? There really is no way to tell. I also wonder this as many Clinical Trials make you stop all of the above.

Thanks for any insights. My husband is doing well but his tumor has doubled and spread in the last 5 weeks and his symptoms are getting worse so we need to make some sort of decision. Best to all.

IDH1-mutant, 1p/19q non codeleted oligoastrocytoma, needs help

This came in to my inbox, and I was asked to post it to the blog:

My son was diagnosed at age 17 with IDH+ 1p/19q negative left frontal lobe oligoastrocytoma...possible recurrence (vs. incomplete resection) at age 18 treated with surgery and proton therapy (no chemo). At the time of starting proton therapy, it was felt that there might a small left-over area in the middle of his tumor bed--but all scans clean for years. He has done fairly well for years with no treatment.  His aim has been to be a neurologist...graduated college Phi Beta Kappa, very good MCAT scores, and now first year medical student.  6 month scan today shows a 6.6 mm nodule enhancing in the middle of his tumor bed.  Never had enhancement before.  Understandably, I am devastated.  He is not certain that he wants more surgery.  However, it is not near a critical structure.  BUT....if there is treatment after surgery, want surgery done at place where could be coordinated with further treatment.  I have been reading your blog daily for years and greatly value your wisdom (based on evidence-based medicine) and that of many of your commentators.
Thank you so much for any help!!

Saturday, 16 December 2017

Understanding Cannibas benefits/dosage (separating out CBD from THC)


Hello Lovely Group,

In need of some cannabis education!

There seems to be LOTS of info on using Cannibas in Brain Tumors for various reasons.  I'd like to understand this more so that my husband can get some relief (who's biggest issue lately is sleep disturbance).  However, I'd like to learn all the benefits of Cannibas for brain tumors and learn best doses to get the most healing out of this substance.

Here are the issues that we hope to improve and/or resolve with cannabis:
1. Improve night time sleep (less waking up and less trouble falling back to sleep)
2.  Decrease inflammation/swelling:  He's post 2nd tumor removal surgery and it takes longer to heal 2nd time around (especially after all that radiation and he was on plerixafor study which exacerbates radiation effect) so he's had lots of treatment swelling (results in speech stumbling and word finding issues).
3.  Improve Daytime alertness:  He's back to work at a busy job and could CBD give him more alertness and  energy for the day.
4.  Decrease risk of seizures (he hasn't had any lately, but hoping the cannabis on board will keep his seizure risk low. 

NEXT Question is How Much?  Dose, Dose Range, in what form-edible, oil, leaf, smoke, ingest?

I've heard that it's best to separate out the THC from the CBD.  (THC for night/sleep)\ CBD for Day use).  Is that a correct understanding? 

THC (Indica vs Sativa)
THC for Night (How much?  what dose? AND in what form?  Chewables?, Oil (is oil smoked or put into food?) other??? I know we'll probably have to play with this a bit, but is there a range to start with?  Also, should it be the Indica/Setiva combo or separate out Indika (just use that) or Just Setiva?  

CBD:  How much, what dose? What dose range? Chewables? oil? other ???  Especially for someone who is working all day and wants to maintain high functionality, focused thinking, good memory, good concentration?  

Best research literature on these topics that you recommend?  Please send links :-)


This Quote seems perfect for all my questions today:

"Perhaps the secret of living well is not in having all the answers but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company."    Rachel Naomi Remen

Thank You fellow bloggers for your Good Company on this Journey.

Sending Love, Light and Healing to ALL.

Kelly

Friday, 15 December 2017

Update Temodar + methadone + Optune TTF

Finally I can post an update of my Dad's treatment. He was diagnosed with an inoperable glioblastoma in December 2015. So it's his second anniversary this month :)
So far we've been lucky (neither growth nor recurrence but shrinkage and stable MRIs). His latest MRI showed that the edema has increased in size and causes speech issues. Unfortunately the latest MRI was done without any contrast agent so my Dad has to do another one in January. However, the doctor told us that the tumour itself looks pretty much the same but he's a bit worried about the edema as its growth suggests that something might be going on with the tumour. But he couldn't detect any significant growth or a new tumour so we're happy with the preliminary result  ('stable').
Compared to most inoperable glioblastomas my Dad seems to be doing really well, so I'm very grateful for that. Hopefully we'll know more in January!
My Dad's current treatment:
Temodar
Methadone
Optune TTF
Levetiracetan
Vitamin D
Omega 3
PSK (Coriolus versicolor)
Sulforaphane  (Broccoli sprouts)
All the best
Steffi

Thursday, 14 December 2017

New Diagnosis (GBM Grade IV)
All – my wife (51) was diagnosed in July 2017 with a GBM grade IV. The tumors were in her frontal lobe, are IDH wildtype and positive for amplification of EGFR sequences. Subsequent testing indicated MGMT Gene Promoter Methylation was not detected. Stacey’s tumor is multifocal. There are other characteristics (like PTEN) that I understand less. I do understand enough to know her tumor is much worse than most. 

Surgeon stated the larger was baseball size. Neurosurgeon stated he removed approx. 60% 
Stacey had stroke symptoms as she emerged from surgery. Deficits in speech and left arm and leg. She went thru rehab and is much better.

She is receiving treatments at UC Health Aurora ( Anschutz Cancer Center) which is a NCI center ( only one in Colorado) 
Early on we sought out second opinions from Barrows in Phoenix, and Dana Farber back East (we did this via correspondence as Stacey was too sick to travel). Both told us the standard of care we were getting in Colorado was their recommendation. Only in the event of recurrence would they have something more to offer. 
We currently have her enrolled in the ABT-414 clinical trial thru UC Health . We enrolled prior to the 6 week course of Radiation and Chemo. We are currently evaluating whether to drop from this CT and move to Optune

She has finished her 6 weeks chemo and radiation fine. Some hair loss, fatigue and fogginess. No nausea ( on Zofran).  Blood counts on platelets and white cells plummeted the last week, but rebounded to reasonable ( not optimal levels ) 

She just finished her first adjuvant cycle of Chemo ( TMZ 260 mg) ( 5days on, 23d off) and did fine.  
She had an MRI before the cycle started on 11/22. Report from the NO was the scan was good, no issues and no recurrence. Next MRI in January
My initial questions are : 
1). Stacey’s platelet count plummeted since the 11/22 test. 59 10*9/L as of 12/13 ( Was 114 on 11/22). I don’t know if this was a result of the Cycle 1 TMZ treatment, or some side effect of the last ABT-414 trial infusion. I’m concerned low numbers might delay the next cycle of TMZ (12/21). Are there any recommendations to increase platelet numbers in the interim? I have questions into the NO including possibility of a transfusion or other options . 
2). I have read several papers by Mr Williams and his book. I’m also learning a huge amount from online resources like this blog. Obviously overwhelming especially since I am not in the medical field. I feel like this is my battle and obligation to find options to try as the medical community has little clarity to offer other than stand of care. 
        a). Is the certainty of results in Optune better than the uncertainty of if she actually receiving ABT414 (double blind study). We’ve been told we cannot do both . I’d appreciate opinions 
        b). should we be exploring consultations at another Cancer center like MD Anderson, UCSF or Dana Farber now that she’s more able to travel ? I’d like to maximize opportunities before recurrence, but NO wants to stay the course. I haven’t ventured yet into conversation about adding other prescription meds, but need to assembly that case . 
Stacey is aware of the situation and cognitively getting better. She gets the danger she’s in but because of surgical and/or tumor damage, she is not able to actively pursue options. Thus, I’m trying to do what I can to care give, stay employed, and find solutions. I am certainly grateful for people like you that I can reach out to for information. This would feel like a lonely battle otherwise.

With Gratitude 
Rick 

Wednesday, 13 December 2017

Optimizing TMZ


My 64-year-old husband was diagnosed with GBM in his left temporal lobe after a successful resection in 1/2016. His tumor is unmethylated and IDH negative. He is TMZ-naive and has been on Keytruda and Optune for a year. The tumor was stable until late October, when it extended into a new area.  It is slow-growing according to a PET scan yesterday.

Genomic testing of tissue retrieved from a second resection 11/16 highlighted mutations in NF1, PTEN, ASXL1, HNF1A, MLH1, NOTCH1 and SPEN. My husband's NO suggested Temsirolimus because of the PTEN mutation and TMZ starting in January.

My big research question is how to get the most kick out of TMZ, given his methylation status. It seems that either daily or 7-day/alternating Temodar have better clinical results than the standard protocol. I also wondering how best to sensitize GBM cells to TMZ and potentiate the treatment. Different studies suggest adding:
- Tamoxifen
- MGMT inhibitor O6-benzylguanine (O6-BG)
- Interferon-β (IFN-β)
- oncolytic adenovirus
- excision repair pathway enzyme apurinic/apyrimidine endonuclease/redox factor-1 (APE)
- Prozac/Fluoxetine
- antabuse/disulfiram
-Metformin

This all makes my head swim. Have any of you tried an alternative TMZ dosing schedule along with something to enhance its effectiveness against a unmethylated tumor?

Thanks for all your information and help.

Plerixafor - new drug to cocktail?

Hello!
1. There is one promising report on the treatment of TMZ+Plerixafor (+Lapatinib  pulse dosing) for glioblastoma:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4965258/
Plerixafor was administered subcutaneously 1 time per week for 2 years.


Plerixafor was administered via continuous intravenous infusion of 400 micrograms/kg/day starting one week prior to end of RT and continuing for 4 weeks.


Stephen wrote that 1 shot of Plerixafor is very expensive, but I am in Delhi (India) and here Plerixafor 24mg/1.2 ml (Celrixafor by Celon Labs) is $ 1000.

What do You think about this medication and what are the tactics of its use more effective?


What do You think about Lapatinib used in the first case, pulse dosing? If it is suitable for all types of glioblastoma? clinical research is also going on:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01591577

Tuesday, 12 December 2017

7 year old Vasiliy: help is needed with his case of bridge glioma

Dear All,


I am sincerely grateful to Stephen and everyone for all the useful information on this blog, which I've been reading for many months now. I am posting on behalf of a good friend who really wants to help Vasiliy...

It's heartbreaking when a little child is diagnosed with malignant cancer… if someone would be able to help with any advice on the additional treatment options , clinics or methods for alternative treatment, PLEASE DO SO!

Vasiliy is a brave 7 year old Ukrainian boy and he's got malignant brain tumour…I've got limited information at the moment but in case any further clarifications are required, I'd be able to get additional information. 

In August 2016, it became obvious that Vasiliy's right side got weaker. 
Doctor's note says: Left-sided peripheral facial paresis with double vision. There is also a case of dysphagia. MRI has proven bridge glioma of the brain. There are no signs of cerebrovascular accident.

TREATMENT:
• There have been no neurosurgery interference
• 31/08/16 - 07/10/16 - Radiotherapy 1.8 GY/day (45 fractions) followed by Boost 1.8GY/day (9 fractions) + Temozolomide
• There have been additional treatment of Avastin

In May 2017 the dimensions of tumour were: 46*52mm

At present, Vasiliy takes the following coctail from what is available in Eastern Europe: 

Morning: 
Vidatox 3 capsules
Peroxide with water 10 drops
Levain 1 tablet
Licam 1 tablet
Spiruflor 1tablet
Ensil 1 tablet
Megamin 1 tablet
Laminin 2 tablets
succinic acid 1tablet
Reviplant 1 teaspoon
Stone oil 50ml

3pm: 
Levain 1 tablet
Licam 1 tablet
Reviplant 1 teaspoon
Ensil 1 tablet
Laminin 2 tablets
Stone oil 50ml

Evening:
Reviplant 1 teaspoon
Stone oil 50ml
Spiruflor 1tablet
Vidatox 3 capsules

I have clarified with puredca whether DCA can be considered, as an alternative treatment for small kids and they have confirmed that it should be added. But I, personally have some doubts now.. My husband has been taking DCA, Avastin and Valgancyclovir for nearly 1.5 years now for his Grade IV glioblastoma and he's got neuropathy developed, as either the result of any of those or a combination of all. Has anyone heard of any neuropathy symptoms in pediatric glioma and whether DCA is really safe to give to a small child?

Would anyone happen to know what could be also added to the above coctail to help with tumour fight for little Vasiliy? We'd welcome any advice and help.

God Bless You All!

Thank you for all your kindness and help, 
Nina

It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
~ Mark 2:17

Saturday, 9 December 2017

Medications no longer needed. Any takers?

I spent the day helping Starr's mom sort through her belongings and they sent me home with her unused meds.  I would very much like them to go to someone who can use them.  I have:

Depakote
Keppra
Depakote in sprinkle format (helped my dad when he could no longer swallow pills)
Keppra in liquid format (also helpful for difficulty swallowing)
Metformin

I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting.  I'll update the list when I'm less tired :-)
Please let me know if you could use any of these and I will get back to you with the strengths, quantity, etc.

Best.
Annie

Thursday, 7 December 2017

Rest sweetly, Starr Korvin

I realize I haven't posted in quite awhile, but I wanted to share that my dear friend Starr Korvin passed away early Tuesday morning.  Starr was diagnosed with GBM two months after my father Allen died, in September of 2016.  I consider you all my people when it comes to brain cancer and understanding the challenges and feelings that come with this diagnosis.  I wanted to share the brief obit I wrote for her with each of you.

Love to each of you.  May your loved ones reach heights further than mine did.  I mean that with complete sincerity.  xoxo Annie

My dear friend Starr Korvin has passed away. It's still sinking in that I'll never see her again  Starr was a great friend. She had more 'best friends' than anyone I've ever met. I can think of at least 5 girls, without trying, that would call her their best friend. I'm thinking of even more as I sit here. She has been in more weddings than most rom-com leads. Starr was a "Nordstrom All-Star". Which those in the know, know was a coveted title (and discount). She went back to school to work on her Masters in teaching while the rest of us went out to dinner and fucked around. She loved purses (one of our special bonds). She loved makeup. She had that edgy style that she and I both adored. She was funny and thoughtful. She would bring me a birthday gift every December, or even January, when I had already long forgotten about my birthday. She organized our group and kept our friend group connected with annual trips to the bear cabins and to celebrate our birthdays, even when we didn't ask - always when we didn't ask. She gave me a pair of boots we both had (and loved) because mine wore down on the heel and she remembered how much we both loved them. When my Dad was diagnosed with brain cancer she and Mary came to my house for hours with internet tamales (the best) and wine and sat with me while I crazily researched everything under the sun. That may not seem like much, but that was absolutely the WORST time of my life and their support (and stamina) was major. No one else would even pretend to understand any of that shit. 
It breaks my heart that she suffered the same fate with a glioblastoma diagnosis just 2 months after my father died of the same cancer.
I love you Starr Korvin. I hope there is a heaven, and that it's filled with puppies and babies and 'fuck yeah' purses and Benicio look-a-likes and real housewives and mint mochas and gold jewelry and lip injections. I miss you already ❤️

SNO summary: Durable responses with Toca 511 + Toca FC

I already posted on this data at the end of October, but here is my long form write-up.

Durable responses observed in IDH1 wildtype and mutant recurrent high grade glioma (rHGG) with Toca 511 & Toca FC treatment


Timothy Cloughesy of UCLA presented updated results for the phase 1 trial of tumor resection followed by injection of Toca 511 into the tumor resection cavity.  This trial (NCT01470794) treated 56 patients with recurrent glioblastoma or anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grades 3 and 4).  


Pooling results across all three phase 1 dose escalation trials (n=127 patients), Toca 511 was found to be well tolerated, with only 25% of patients experiencing grade 1 or 2 treatment-related adverse events (including fatigue in 11%), and 7% of patients experiencing a grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse event (including one case of headache, one case of fatigue, and two cases of vasogenic cerebral edema). Administration of the fluorouracil prodrug, Toca FC, was also associated with a low incidence (3.3%) of grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events.  Only three out of 122 patients discontinued therapy due to adverse events associated with Toca FC.


In the NCT01470794 trial of resection followed by injection of Toca 511 into the resection cavity, 46/56 (82%) of patients had recurrent glioblastoma, and the remainder had anaplastic (grade 3) or other gliomas.  50% were at first recurrence, 23% were at second recurrence, and 27% were at third or more recurrence.  


This trial included the endpoint of durable response rate, defined as a response lasting at least 24 weeks (5.5 months).  Remarkably, all responders (6 out of 53 patients evaluable for efficacy, 11.3%) are in complete response and still alive, with a median duration of response of at least 35.1 months (nearly 3 years). An additional 18.9% had stable disease as best response, for a clinical benefit rate of 30.2% (response plus stable disease).


In the subset of patients (n=23) treated with higher doses of Toca 511 and meeting the eligibility criteria for the ongoing phase 3 Toca 5 trial (at first or second recurrence, no prior Avastin, and tumor no larger than 5 cm), there were 5 out of 23 patients (21.7%) with durable complete response lasting for a median of 35.7+ months.  An additional 21.7% had stable disease as best response, for a total clinical benefit rate (response + stable disease) of 43.5%.  In this subgroup of 23 patients, three of the complete responders had wild-type IDH1, and two had anaplastic astrocytoma with mutant IDH1. These responses occurred gradually over 6-19 months, consistent with an immunologic mechanism of action.  Median survival from Toca 511 treatment in this subgroup is 14.4 months, which compares favorably with historical benchmarks of 9-10 months for recurrent GBM with standard treatments.

The safety profile, increased median survival relative to historical benchmarks, and relatively high rate of complete durable responses lasting for a median of at least three years is encouraging.  The randomized phase 2/3 Toca 5 trial for recurrent glioblastoma or anaplastic astrocytoma (NCT02414165) recently re-opened in November 2017 to new recruitment and the phase 1 Toca 7 trial for newly diagnosed high grade glioma (NCT02598011) is scheduled to open sometime in 2018.

Saturday, 2 December 2017

Olaparib + radiation for recurrent glioma?

Hello all,

My sister is currently preparing for treatments after a successful surgery. She has recurrent IDH1mut, MGMT methylated astrocytoma, previously grade 3, we're still waiting for pathology report from the latest surgery. Preliminary treatment plan is to have radiation therapy (recurrence is outside of the original tumor location) and then continue with CCNU.

I found this one study (Paradigm-trial) that studies olaparib in combination with RT.
Do you think it would be worth a try? This could be possible for us financially since the RT last only about a month so cost of olaparib would be reasonable.

Br,
Juha