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Leading news
Tocagen reports results of Toca 5 study in recurrent high-grade glioma
Biotech company, Tocagen, has announced that their randomised, phase 3 clinical study evaluating their gene therapy, Toca 5 (comprising Toca 511 which selectively infects cancer cells and Toca FC which is converted into an anti-cancer agent when taken orally) in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma did not achieve the primary aim of improving overall survival compared to standard-of-care treatment. Additionally, none of the secondary endpoints showed any meaningful difference between the arms of the trial. Further analysis of the study data is currently underway and presentation of the results is planned at an upcoming medical conference. Read more (Company press release).
Bristol-Myers Squibb provides update on phase 3 Opdivo (nivolumab) study, CheckMate-548, in patients with newly diagnosed MGMT-methylated glioblastoma
In this phase 3, randomised, CheckMate-548 trial (NCT02667587), researchers are evaluating the addition of Opdivo (nivolumab) to the current standard of care (temozolomide and radiation therapy) versus standard of care alone. The study did not meet one of its primary endpoints, progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme that is O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT)-methylated. The data monitoring committee has recommended that the study continue as planned to allow the other primary endpoint - overall survival - to mature. The company remains blinded to all study data. Read more (Company press release).
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Treatment news
Feasibility of a modified Atkins diet in glioma patients during radiation and its effect on radiation sensitisation
Ketogenic-type diets (KD) are high in fat and low in protein and carbohydrates; the modified Atkins diet (MAD) is a less stringent version of a KD that still generates serum ketones in patients. The present study, published in Current Oncology, retrospectively examined the feasibility of attaining raised levels of ketones in body tissues (ketosis) in 29 patients with grades 2-4 glioma undergoing the KD during radiation and chemotherapy treatment. It is thought that glioma cells rely solely on glucose for energy production via adenosine triphosphate (ATP), division, and survival, but that normal brain cells can utilise ketones as a fuel source. In this article, the researchers report that ketosis was achieved in all 29 (100%) patients with no serious adverse effects. Read more.
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Research news
Health-related quality of life and neurocognitive functioning with lomustine-temozolomide versus temozolomide alone in patients with newly diagnosed, MGMT-methylated glioblastoma
This open-label, randomised, phase 3 CeTeG/NOA-09 study, published in The Lancet Oncology, was conducted in chemoradiotherapy-naïve adult patients with MGMT-methylated glioblastoma across 17 centres in Germany. All patients received standard radiotherapy and in addition were randomly assigned to receive either lomustine-temozolomide or temozolomide alone. The researchers saw significantly longer overall survival for those patients who received lomustine-temozolomide therapy compared to those on standard temozolomide alone. The study also showed no clinically relevant changes in health-related quality of life measures and neurocognitive function. The researchers believe these findings indicate a long-term net clinical benefit for patients with newly diagnosed MGMT-methylated glioblastoma.
Existing drug could treat aggressive brain cancer
A research team from the University of Georgia's Regenerative Bioscience Center has found that the molecule, Surfen, used to deliver insulin could also be used to treat glioblastoma. Surfen is a pharmaceutical agent, first described in 1938. The researchers found that in animals with surfen-treated cells, the tumours were smaller and had substantially reduced brain haemorrhage than those animals without. Their study, to be published in the FASEB Journal, shows for the first time, that the growth of invasive brain tumours, like glioblastoma, could be stifled by Surfen, which could help in the reduction or refinement of mainstream treatments, like radiation or chemotherapy. The researchers found that surfen-treated animals demonstrated smaller tumours and substantially reduced brain haemorrhage volume than control animals. Read more (Press release).
Factor that predicts long survival in brain tumours
Research published in the journal, Acta Neuropathologica, describes how scientists have identified a gene called NSUN5, which appears to act as a biomarker to indicate which brain tumours have a good prognosis. Dr Manel Esteller, director of the Josep Carreras Research Institute, ICREA Researcher and professor at the University of Barcelona explains: "We began the study looking for genes with regulatory functions of genome expression that lost their activity in cancer. We identified a particular gene called NSUN5, of which we knew almost nothing about its function. What surprised us most from the beginning was that its alteration, among the many types of tumors of the human body, was almost exclusive to gliomas...We investigated it in laboratory cells and experimental models. When we got to analyze its impact on patients with glioma, we realized the importance of the finding. The epigenetic lesion of NSUN5, independently of other biomarkers, predicted a minority percentage of patients who would do well. It was astonishing, since most of the time, we discover factors that indicate tumors that will go bad". Read more and more.
ONC201 in expanded access H3 K27M-mutant glioma patients
In a publication in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology, Oncoceutics Inc reports a complete response and other forms of clinical benefit in 18 paediatric and adult H3 K27M-mutant glioma patients treated with ONC201 on expanded access protocols. These patients started ONC201 after prior radiation and in many cases, after also failing additional chemotherapy. Overall findings include disease stabilisation and radiographic regressions after patients started ONC201 treatment, which are uncharacteristic for the disease course. The study reports that two adult and two paediatric cases showed improvements in their radiographic images and in disease-associated neurological symptoms. The most dramatic response was observed in an adult whose tumour, located in the thalamus and other sites in the brain, completely regressed and the patient experienced improvements in headaches, nausea, and right-sided numbness caused by the disease. Among the 14 patients who had recurrent disease before receiving ONC201, median progression-free survival was 14 weeks and median overall survival was 17 weeks - three of the adult patients remain on treatment and progression-free with a median follow-up of 41, 49.6 and 76.1 weeks. Among the four children who started adjuvant ONC201 following radiation, two DIPG patients remain progression-free for at least 53 and 81 weeks and the other two progressed at 28.4 and 41.9 weeks. Read more (Company press release).
Cancer cells have 'unsettling' ability to hijack the brain's nerves, say scientists
In a publication in Nature, scientists have reported how tumour cells can plug into, and feed off, the brain's complex network of neurons, according to a trio of studies. The researchers say that the findings suggest the nervous system plays an important role in cancer growth. In one of the studies, researchers found synapses - the structures that enable nerve cells to communicate with each other - in glioma samples taken from cancer cells grown in culture, in human glioma tumours transplanted into mice, and in glioma samples taken from humans. Another group of scientists have independently discovered synapses between neurons and cells in paediatric gliomas. The separate but parallel research by these scientists also showed that the tumour synapses help cancer cells flourish. Read more.
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Community news
Barriers to accrual and enrolment in brain tumour trials
The Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO), in collaboration with the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) Working Group, patient advocacy groups, clinical trial cooperative groups (including the Adult Brain Tumor Consortium), and other partners, have produced a paper on Barriers to accrual and enrollment in brain tumor trials, which is Editor's Choice in the September edition of Neuro-Oncology. The collaborative group is working together with the intent to double clinical trial accrual over the next five years. The paper discusses the factors contributing to poor trial accrual specifically in relation to further neuro-oncology trials and offers possible solutions. A further background article on this topic appears in the 2019 edition of the IBTA's Brain Tumour magazine.
Survivorship Resource Guidebook is launched by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
The US Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation has launched its Survivorship Resource Guidebook. Published with support from Coverys and in partnership with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (a non-profit organisation committed to improving the quality of life for children battling brain tumours and other childhood cancers), this comprehensive resource includes helpful information specifically for paediatric brain tumour survivors on the topics of physical and mental health, quality of life, navigating the health system, and much more. Over 40 experts in the fields of paediatric oncology, education and disability rights, including parents and survivors, contributed. You can download a digital copy of the handbook here. Read more.
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Other news
The New Zealand Brain Tumour Trust is launched
On 13 September 2019, the New Zealand Brain Tumour Trust was launched with the country's Minister of Health, Dr David Clark, declaring the Trust operational. The Trust aims to provide a "positive future" for brain tumour patients of all ages and their families by providing knowledgeable caring people within the health system who will support families through the often bewildering array of appointments, tests, processes and therapies that happen along the way. Chris Medlicott, a lawyer from Dunedin, who is a founding trustee and chairs the Trust, was among several speakers attending a function to launch the Trust at the Hutton Theatre Otago Museum in Dunedin, New Zealand. Read more.
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Upcoming events
Patient events and conferences
Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Webinar Series
"Brain Tumour Registry of Canada: Past, Present & Future”
9 October 2019
International Brain Tumour Awareness Week
26 October - 2 November 2019
Patient advocates and others around the world will be holding activities to promote awareness of brain tumours
Brain Tumour Foundation Canada Webinar Series
"Personal Stories of Hope from Brain Tumour Patients, Survivors and Caregivers"
6 November 2019
Upcoming scientific conferences
September
16th Annual Meeting of the Asian Society for Neuro-Oncology (ASNO 2019)
26-29 September 2019
Taipei, Taiwan
The IBTA will be in attendance and exhibiting at this conference. Please do stop by our booth and say hello to IBTA Senior Advisor Chris Tse.
ESMO 2019 Annual Congress
27 September - 1 October 2019
Barcelona, Spain
The IBTA will have a booth at ESMO and IBTA Chair and Co-Director, Kathy Oliver, will be moderating the Hans Keulen Memorial Debate in the ESMO Patient Track.
October
9th Annual Brain Metastases Research and Emerging Therapy Conference
4-5 October 2019
Marseille, France
47th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Paediatric Neurosurgery (ISPN2019)
20-24 October 2019
Birmingham, UK
International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) 2019
23-26 October 2019
Lyon, France
12th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Co-operative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology (COGNO)
27 - 29 October 2019
Sydney, Australia
November
2019 NCRI Cancer Conference
3-5 November 2019
Glasgow, UK
SNO Clinical Trials Course
20 November 2019
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
2019 SNO-SCIDOT Joint Conference on Therapeutic Delivery to the CNS
20-21 November 2019
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
24th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO 2019)
20-24 November 2019
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
The IBTA looks forward to seeing patient advocacy and healthcare colleagues at SNO.
If you are organising or are aware of a forthcoming patient or brain tumour advocacy event or a scientific conference taking place in 2019 then please let us know by emailing chair@theibta.org so that we can also include it on our events page.
Keep up to date with future scientific conferences and events on the IBTA website conferences page here.
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The International Brain Tumour Alliance was established in 2005. It is a network of support, advocacy and information groups representing brain tumour patients and carers in different countries and also includes researchers, scientists, clinicians and allied health professionals who work in the field of brain tumours.
For more information, please visit www.theibta.org.
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We love to hear from you if you have any news that you would like to share with the IBTA community. Just send us an email: chair@theibta.org.
We will do our best to relay as much information as possible to our subscribers via this monthly newsletter and our website. The selection of e-News entries is at the sole discretion of the editors.
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