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Leading news
Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) meeting 2019
The 24th Annual Scientific Meeting and Education Day of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) took place from November 22nd to 24th in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. This year’s conference theme was “Innovation to Overcome Tumor Resistance”. Abstracts for the Scientific Meeting and Education Day can be viewed here. The IBTA is very excited and honoured to announce that its Chair and Co-Director Kathy Oliver received SNO’s Neuro-Oncology Community Service Award which was presented to her in Phoenix on the opening day of the conference. The Neuro-Oncology Community Service Award recognizes a meritorious individual or organization who has made significant contributions to the neuro-oncology community. See https://www.soc-neuro-onc.org/SNO/About_SNO/SNO_Awards/SNO/About_SNO/SNO_Awards.aspx?hkey=398d4b7f-2afd-41c5-9cd9-0a6a410abb2f
Latest SISAQOL paper to be published in The Lancet Oncology
The latest paper from the EORTC SISAQOL initiative (Setting International Standards in Analyzing Patient-Reported Outcomes and Quality of Life Endpoints Data) is now available as a pre-print here. This paper provides consensus recommendations based on literature review and input from an international multi-expert, multi-stakeholder consortium of which the IBTA is a member. Measures of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and other patient-reported outcomes (PRO) generate important data in cancer randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assist in evaluating the risks and benefits of cancer therapies, and fostering patient-centered cancer care. However, the various ways these measures are analyzed and interpreted make it difficult to compare results across trials. This hinders the application of research findings to inform publications, product labelling, clinical guidelines and health policy. The SISAQOL initiative was established to address these challenges. The IBTA is very proud to be a patient advocacy member of the SISAQOL initiative and is a co-author of this paper which will be published in The Lancet Oncology in a forthcoming issue.
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Research news
Protein linked to brain metastasis could be a target for future treatment, study suggests
According to a study published in Nature Cell Biology, researchers believe they have identified a protein, called CEMIP, that various cancers (such as breast and lung) produce to help them spread (or metastasize) to the brain. CEMIP prompts blood vessels and immune cells (microglial cells) in the brain to produce inflammatory molecules, which help cancer cells turn into brain tumours. In lab- and animal-based experiments, removing CEMIP greatly impeded brain metastases. These findings suggest that in future work, CEMIP could be targeted to predict, prevent and treat brain metastases. Read more.
‘Staggering’ improvement in adult low-grade glioma prognosis due to earlier surgery, UK report finds.
According to a study published in the journal Neuro-Oncology Practice, survival rates from one of the most common forms of brain tumour have risen sharply after surgical advances prompted a shift in how these tumours are treated. Researchers at the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK, and the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UK, report that operating earlier to remove low grade gliomas in adults has cut the chance of death within ten years of diagnosis from 50 per cent to four per cent in a decade. The number of patients who were seizure-free for one year or more after surgery also went up from 22 percent in 2006 to 42 percent in 2017. Read more.
Natural course of spinal ependymoma in adults examined
A multicentre study has charted the natural progress of spinal ependymoma in adults. This is a rare tumour type, which has to date received limited research attention. This paper, published in the Journal of Neurosurgery, documents the analysis of 158 adult patients with spinal ependymomas who received surgical treatment between January 2006 and June 2013. The authors’ conclusions recommend that gross-total resection of the tumour has an important impact on prognosis and that “it is feasible in the majority of cases, with acceptable rates of permanent deficits”
Mutated protein may reveal the benign-appearing meningiomas that will become aggressive, study explains
Although most meningiomas are so-called ‘benign’ and carry a relatively favourable prognosis, a minority will become clinically aggressive with recurrence, invasion, and resistance to conventional therapies (termed ‘Grade 1.5’ meningiomas). In a study published in Clinical Cancer Research, a research team analysed meningioma tissue samples collected from surgical patients over the past three decades. Comparing tumours of patients whose tumours were benign (Grade 1) with those that became more aggressive (Grade 1.5), they found there were no genetic differences. Nevertheless, they discovered that in Grade 1.5 meningiomas, there was a 360% increase in levels of a protein called retinoblastoma 1, or Rb1 that had been abnormally altered (in a process called phosphorylation). This may serve as a target for future therapies or as a marker for benign-appearing meningiomas that are likely to become aggressive. Read more.
Ten new targets for glioblastoma treatments found, report says
According to findings presented in the scientific journal Cell Reports a team of scientists from Sweden has found ten tumour-specific potential drug targets in glioblastoma tumours. Using bulk genetic analysis tools, they analysed the gene profiles of various brain cells using data from over 200 normal human brain samples. By comparing normal brain samples with 516 lower-grade gliomas and 401 glioblastoma tumours, multiple potential drug targets were located in the endothelial cells (those which line the blood vessels). Read more.
Cell-free DNA blood test proposed as a ‘liquid biopsy’ for glioblastoma diagnosis and monitoring
A blood test measuring ‘plasma cell-free DNA’ (fragments of DNA circulating freely in the blood) could be an effective biomarker for assessing brain tumour burden and may be a viable prognostic measure for disease progression in patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma, according to results of a prospective study published in Clinical Cancer Research. The researchers report that they collected blood samples from 42 adults with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma and 42 age-matched healthy adults. The researchers calculated plasma cell-free DNA before initial tumour resection and regularly throughout chemoradiotherapy. The 14 patients with preoperative plasma cell-free DNA concentration above 13.4 ng/mL achieved shorter median PFS than the 28 patients with lower concentration (4.9 months vs. 9.5 months). Read more.
Researchers use high intensity focused ultrasound to make brain tumours “hot” and visible to the immune system
Targeting brain tumours via immunotherapy may rely on turning the tumour site from a “cold” immune microenvironment, where the cancer cells are invisible to the immune system, to a “hot” one, write the authors of a paper published in Advanced Therapeutics. In a series of animal-based experiments, the researchers tested one acoustic-based technique known as high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). When paired with drug-loaded nanoparticles that were injected into the tumour site, the particles ruptured, causing destruction of cancer cells and effectively turning the site into a “hot” microenvironment. Read more.
Air pollution linked to increased brain tumour risk, researchers say
A new study, published in the journal Epidemiology, has found a link between air pollution nanoparticles (‘ambient ultrafine particles’) and brain tumour risk. Data from 1.9 million people living in two Canadian cities (Montreal and Toronto) was collected using Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohorts (1991, 1996, 2001, and 2006). Across the cities, pollution varied from 6,000 /cm3 to 97,000/cm3. When compared with brain tumour rates, the results indicated that people living with pollution of 50,000/cm3 have a 50% higher risk of brain cancer than those living with 15,000/cm3. The researchers say that one-year increase in pollution exposure of 10,000 nanoparticles per cubic centimetre – the approximate difference between quiet and busy city streets – increased the risk of brain cancer by more than 10%. Read more.
Multinational study of diffuse glioma genetics reveals their evolution is unpredictable
The largest-ever time series database of glioma genetic profiles has been published in the journal Nature. A team of 87 researchers and clinicians has analysed glioma samples from 222 patients at 35 hospitals across Europe, Asia, Australia and the USA. Tumour samples taken at multiple time points during treatment allowed researchers to plot out how tumours responded to therapy. The research found that brain tumours treated with radiation or chemotherapy evolve in a way that appears to be random, explaining why gliomas are so difficult to treat. It is hoped that this database can now act as a reference for researchers and clinicians to study glioma evolution in response to treatment. Read more.
Animal experiments suggest lithium may reverse radiation damage after brain tumour treatment
Lithium may be able to help reverse the damage caused by brain tumour radiotherapy, according to findings reported in Molecular Psychiatry. In the animal-based study, lithium treatment four weeks after irradiation led to neurogenesis (growth in the hippocampus, a region important for memory and learning). The paper’s authors suggest that the late cognitive effects incurred from brain radiotherapy in childhood may be treatable. Read more.
First in-human trials of sonodynamic therapy (SDT) announced
Information about a first-in-human phase 0/2 clinical trial to assess safety and effectiveness of a new, non-invasive drug-device combination for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma called sonodynamic therapy (SDT) was announced during the annual meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology, held earlier this month in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. The therapy involves drugs that only become cytotoxic upon exposure to ultrasound. This approach was developed as a novel, promising non-invasive approach derived from photodynamic therapy (PDT). The Ivy Brain Tumor Center at the Barrow Neurological Institute in the United States and SonALASense have signed a strategic agreement to jointly test SDT for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. Read more.
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Company news
Tocagen reports results for the Toca 5 Phase 3 trial in recurrent high grade glioma
Tocagen has provided results from the Toca 5 Phase 3 trial evaluating Toca 511 and Toca FC in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma (rHGG) at the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) Annual Meeting earlier this month. As previously announced by the company, the trial did not meet the primary or secondary endpoints. The safety, tolerability and adverse event profile of Toca 511 and Toca FC was as expected for this patient population. In a pre-planned subgroup analysis, subjects with second recurrence (N=60) showed a 57% risk reduction for death when treated with Toca 511 and Toca FC (21.82 months median OS compared to 11.14 months), representing an approximate doubling of survival. Read more (company press release). Principal investigator, Dr Timothy Cloughesy, said: "The positive outcome for patients at second recurrence in the Toca 5 trial are compelling, despite the disappointment of the overall trial results. Combined with an acceptable safety profile, these data support a potential opportunity to address the high unmet needs of this well-defined patient population and should inform any future development of the Toca 511 & Toca FC regimen." Dr Cloughesy’s SNO presentation on this topic is available here.
Bristol-Myers Squibb merges with Celgene
Pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced the completion of its acquisition of Celgene, for US $74 billion. The final announcement follows the receipt of regulatory approval from all government authorities required by the merger agreement and, as announced on April 12, 2019, approval by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Celgene stockholders. Read more. Official BMS company press release here.
Positive results for Asunercept in recurrent glioblastoma, Apogenix announces
Apogenix has announced that a study published in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology has shown that in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, treatment with asunercept (a soluble CD95-Fc fusion protein) in combination with radiotherapy is associated with a statistically significant prolongation in time to deterioration of quality of life beyond progression of the disease compared to treatment with radiotherapy alone. Read more (company press release).
Study confirms the mechanism of action of Oncoceutics’ ONC201
Biopharmaceutical company Oncoceutics has announced a publication in the journal Nature Communications demonstrating that the company’s lead candidate drug imipridone (ONC201) selectively binds to and antagonises the G-protein coupled receptor, dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2). “The unique mechanism of action of ONC201 is now well defined,” said Dr Martin Stogniew Chief Development Officer of Oncoceutics. Read more (company press release).
MDNA55 increases survival in recurrent glioblastoma, clinical trial results show
Medicenna Therapeutics’ MDNA55 increases survival in people with recurrent glioblastoma, especially in those who produce high levels of ILR4, a marker of aggressive disease, updated results of a clinical trial show. MDNA55 is a fusion protein that combines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and a modified toxin from the bacteria Pseudomonas. The study enrolled 46 participants who each received one of two doses — low or high — of MDNA55 applied by convection enhanced delivery (CED) – a technique that involves inserting catheters into the brain to ensure precise delivery near the tumour site. Read more (company press release).
Inovio Pharmaceuticals announces positive phase 2 trial results
Inovio Pharmaceuticals has announced positive interim results from a newly diagnosed glioblastoma Phase 2 study of the company’s INO-5401 treatment, which is a T cell-activating immunotherapy encoding for three tumour-associated antigens (hTERT, WT1, and PSMA), and INO-9012, an immune activator encoding IL-12, in combination with Libtayo (cemiplimab), a PD-1 blocking antibody developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in collaboration with Sanofi. Key interim data from the 52-patient clinical trial showed that 80% (16 of 20) of MGMT gene promoter methylated patients and 75% (24 of 32) of unmethylated patients were progression-free at six months. Read more (company press release)
VBL Therapeutics’ phase 2 trial of VB-111 in recurrent glioblastoma is granted investigational new drug (IND) application from US FDA, company announces
VBL Therapeutics has announced that an investigational new drug (IND) application has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The IND is for a Phase 2 randomized, controlled, clinical trial of VB-111 in recurrent glioblastoma patients undergoing a second surgery. In this new study, VB-111 will be administered either before or after surgery (neo-adjuvant and adjuvant therapy) or just after the surgery (adjuvant therapy) and will be compared to a standard of care control cohort. Read more (company press release).
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Community news
NCI-CONNECT’s new Facebook page
NCI-CONNECT has launched a new closed Facebook group called NCI-CONNECT Community. The group is intended for the brain and spine tumour community, including patients, their caregivers, and loved ones who wish to share their stories and connect with others. Content will include educational and supportive care information and resources, specifically for adults with these selected rare brain and spine tumour types.
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Upcoming events
Upcoming scientific conferences: 2019
November
4th ESO-ESMO-RCE Clinical Update on Rare Adult Solid Cancers
29 November to 1 December 2019
Milan, Italy
The IBTA will be presenting at this conference and will also be involved in the concurrent RCE-ESMO-ESO Training Course for Rare Cancer Patient Advocates 2019
Upcoming scientific conferences: 2020
January
The Royal Marsden Paediatric Solid Tumours Study Day
14 January 2020
London, UK
February
Workshop on Drug Delivery to the Brain
27 February 2020
Edinburgh, UK
March
EANO Winter School - Advances in Neuro-Oncology: how to translate into clinic
12-14 March 2020
Warsaw, Poland
May
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2020 Annual Meeting
29 May-2 June 2020
Chicago, Illinois, USA
June
19th International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (ISPNO 2020)
(Introductory video can be viewed here)
21-24 June 2020
Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan
August
2nd Harvard Asia-Pacific Neuro-Oncology CME Conference
3-7 August 2020
Lahaina, Hawaii, USA
Save the Date
September
15th Congress of the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO)
10-13 September 2020
Glasgow, UK
November
25th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO 2020)
18-22 November 2020
Austin, Texas, USA
If you are organising or are aware of a forthcoming patient or brain tumour advocacy event or a scientific conference taking place in 2020 or 2021 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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