Hi all,
a promising japanese study:
https://academic.oup.com/neuro-oncology/article-abstract/21/Supplement_6/vi4/5620161?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Does someone know if there is a possibility to get access to this treatment without taking part in the study?
All the best!
I am presently living in Japan, and went to meet someone from the university research team to discuss this treatment option. The treatment indeed seems very effective given the exceptional survival statistics. However, there are a few considerations:
ReplyDelete1. Apparently there were still delays with the manufacturing facilities, which means they are having trouble/delays getting regulatory approval (could still take quite a few more months)
2. The treatment as used for the time being requires a week-long hospital stay every months, for at least 6 months in a row (clinical trial was 6 times only, but the researcher told us more rounds could also be done potentially)
3. The treatment requires a small opening in the skull, which is left there for the duration of the treatment. Each month G47D virus is injected into the tumor cavity.
So, while indeed this looks like it has potential to become a revolutionary treatment for GBM, it will take a while yet before it is available, and the logistical challenges to receive it will be considerable for the time being.
Hopefully, it catches on internationally soon, but sadly my observation is that in the GBM space, each country seems to be doing their own thing pretty much and often largely ignore advances in other countries. Another example regarding this is Photodynamic Therapy, where in Japan it is already approved and widely available (with seemingly amazing survival stats if they can be believed), whereas US is barely studying the topic and Europeans focus on an entirely different (and in my opinion inferior looking) approach.
Hope this helps
John
One addon:
DeleteRegarding your original question, to my knowledge it is not presently possible to get the treatment (trial is actually done), until it has been approved by the Japanese regulator and hospitals in Japan are ready to provide it.
Thank you John for the insight!
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