Brain Tumors

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a portable noninvasive device, worn on the head, to treat adults whose glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) recurs or progresses following chemotherapy and radiation therapy. More »

The odds are exceedingly slim that you'll ever see an intracranial MPNST. With no established treatments and tough clinical dilemmas, you don't want to. But 3 recent case reviews and new insights from biology suggest this rare tumor may finally be vulnerable. More »

Typically glioblastoma patients are dead within 15 months of diagnosis, no matter how complete and well-planned their therapy. Cells sloughed from the brain tumor escape the surgery and somehow stand up to months of radiation and chemotherapy, leading to a recurrence of the tumor and the death of the patient. Researchers at the University of Bonn... More »

The Ivy Glioblastoma Atlas Project will track genetic mutations in glioblastoma multiforme and produce a free, online medical atlas. The Seattle-based project is a partnership between the Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation, the Allen Institute for Brain Science, and the Ben and Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment at the Swedish... More »

In July 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for use of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor bevacizumab (Avastin) in combination with interferon alfa for treatment of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). More »

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval of bevacizumab (Avastin) for people with glioblastoma with progressive disease following prior therapy. The effectiveness of bevacizumab in this aggressive form of brain cancer is based on an improvement in objective response rate. Currently, no data are available from... More »

The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group has begun the last leg of a trial assessing temozolomide (Temodar) and radiotherapy plus bevacizumab (Avastin) for newly diagnosed glioblastoma tumors. More »

The HealthWell Foundation has launched a program to assist patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme and anaplastic astrocytoma. More »

MR spectroscopy results can help determine if brain tumor patients with nonspecific lesions may bypass invasive biopsy for conservative management. A study by a multidisciplinary group in Ann Arbor, Mich., found that elevated levels of brain metabolites correlated with evidence of tumor recurrence. The researchers then developed a tumor recurrence... More »

Avastin (bevacizumab) is likely to provide clinical benefit to people previously treated for glioblastoma, according to a unanimous vote by the FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee. The FDA is expected to decide whether to grant accelerated approval of Avastin for glioblastoma by May 5. A global phase III trial evaluating Avastin in people with... More »