June 10, 2009
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Medical News
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Treatment of diffuse intrinsic brainstem gliomas: failed approaches and future strategies. :
“The discussion includes a rationale for stereotactic biopsies as well as possible therapeutic options of local chemotherapy in these lesions.”
Neurological grading, survival, MR imaging, and histological evaluation in the rat brainstem glioma model. :
“Local chemotherapy in the brainstem glioma model showed significant efficacy for histological changes and survival. Our neurological grading enables quantification of drug and tumor-related morbidity as an important factor for functional performance during therapy.”
Diffuse pontine glioma in Jordan and impact of up-front prognosis disclosure with parents and families. :
“Contrary to the common belief, our study showed that do not resuscitate should be addressed in Muslim patients with high-risk malignancies. We also found that diffuse pontine glioma warrants further study in developing countries.”
Continual reassessment method vs. traditional empirically based design: modifications motivated by Phase I trials in pediatric oncology by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium. :
“Compared to the TM, our simulations indicate that the modified version of CRM is more accurate, exposes fewer patients to potentially toxic doses, and tends to require fewer patients. “
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Medical Updates
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The FDA Biopsy Meeting
On April 27, 2009, the Committee met to discuss the scientific and ethical issues involved in obtaining and using brain biopsy specimens to evaluate gene expression patterns in children with diffuse pontine gliomas.
The slides from this meeting can be viewed here
DIPG Conference
Memorial “Alicia Pueyo” Workshop Research on Pontine Gliomas held in Barcelona Spain,on February 26th 2009
Conference video is now available at Just One More Day
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Foundation News
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DIPG Dialogue - Talking with the Experts
Just One More Day is starting a new feature called DIPG Dialogue which will contain interviews with researchers, physicians and other advocates in the DIPG community.
2nd Annual Smiles For Sophie Forever Birthday Bash and Dash
5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk
Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
Walker Road Park
31621 Walker Road
Avon Lake, OH 44012