Blogging in B Minor

I mentioned that we pushed the surgery one week to give us more time to seek a trial that allows me to take advantage of a new vaccine that is showing amazing results in GBM patients (GBM = Grade 4 brain tumors which is what my tumor have now become based on our impressions of MRI).  The vaccine that is our focus is called DCVax-Brain. 

DCVax uses a patient’s own dendritic cells, the starter engine of the immune system. The dendritic cells are extracted from the body, loaded with tumor biomarkers or ‘‘antigens’’, thereby creating a personalized therapeutic vaccine. Injection of these cells back into the patient initiates a potent immune response against cancer cells, resulting in delayed time to progression and prolonged survival.  DCVax-Brain is designed to specifically target Glioblastoma Multiforme (‘‘GBM’’), the most lethal form of brain cancer. DCVax-Brain has entered a Phase II FDA-allowed clinical trial, which is designed and powered as a pivotal trial (i.e. a trial from which the antigen developer may go directly to product approval). Following this trial, the maker anticipates filing a biologic license application (or ‘‘BLA’’) with the FDA for DCVax-Brain.  

Based on trials covering calendar year 2007, the long-term follow-up data are now as follows.  Look, if you have been reading my blog for any length of time at all, you know I’m not someone that holds on to stats but if your journey in fighting a primary brain tumor moves into this territory, you have to look at this data if you are choosing alternative treatments.  Fortunately for me, I have God working in my life so incredibly that my Neuro-oncologist is on top of the world of brain tumor trials, alternative treatments, etc. and we are pulling out all of the stops.  So, go for a 100% resection next Wednesday and follow that up with the DCVax vaccine.

Data so far:

•  8 of 19 patients are still alive (ranging from 24.5 months to 92 months), with median overall survival in all patients of 33.8 months (p < 0.0079) (the “p value” measures the likelihood that the observed clinical effect is due to chance:  a ‘p’ value of 0.0079 means that there is a less than 1% possibility that the longer survival time of DCVax(R)-Brain-treated patients is due to chance);
• 5 of the 8 patients who are still alive show no signs of cancer recurrence, with follow-up time ranging from 41 months to 92 months;
• The median time to progression (i.e. tumor recurrence) is 18.1 months,  compared to 8.1 months for patients treated at UCLA during the same time period (p = 0.00001);
• 90% of patients have surpassed the Standard of Care median time to progression of 8.1 months;
• 84% of patients have surpassed the Standard of Care median overall survival time of 17.0 months;
• To date, 68% of patients receiving DCVax(R)-Brain in addition to Standard of Care have lived longer than 2 years, 42% have lived longer than 3 years, and 26% have lived longer than 4 years (48, 54, 57, 62 and 92 months so far);

So, my humble request?  Please pray that I can be enrolled in this trial.  This trial will yield so many benefits for me and my family.  It will extend my life, allowing perhaps other treatment modalities to come along and further extend my life.  26% of patients living longer than 4 years.  That’s amazing.  And some out 62 and even 92 months – with a GBM?  Unheard of.  So please pray for this and my second request is if you could pray for my surgery and my family – just that everything goes well, that my family has comfort and peace, can garner strength in the Lord and they do not forget He is there – that my young sons are protected and safe, are encouraged.

Thanks to everyone….

God bless

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