Friday, January 8, 2016

New Neuroblastoma Treatment Coming (?)


I just read this article about a drug that could have a major impact on neuroblastoma, “one of the most common forms of childhood cancer.

It’s also a deadly form of childhood cancer.

This article, by Ms. Rachel Greco of the Lansing State Journal, is a well-written, detailed story about a tenacious doctor and researcher who was inspired by parents of young children with the disease who were searching for somebody, anybody who could help them. http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/2016/01/07/msu-prof-breaks-ground-childhood-cancer-discovery/75520838/?hootPostID=33dc1aaa9d7a71c51048311371c05ec0

One person who thinks DFMO is particularly promising is Dr. Randal Wada, medical director of the Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Program at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children in Hawaii and chief of its pediatric cancer division.

A former colleague of Bachmann's, Wada said his hospital will take part in the third-phase of the clinical trial for DFMO. He calls the re-purposed use of the drug "exciting."

"The results so far suggest that DFMO could have a significant impact on the survival rate of patients with aggressive forms of neuroblastoma," Wada said.

I’ve written this post because, as a father, I can’t imagine the sorrow and impact such a diagnosis would have on a parent. Actually, that isn’t true. I have a small glimmer of what that impact would be from this and other articles, and that glimmer leaves me heart-sick.

The other bit of sorrow I still have from reading this article is how long it takes for a potential solution to get to market; to get in the hands of doctors who have patients dying from the lack of an effective solution.

I’d add an emoji but there isn’t one sorrowful enough or sad enough or upsetting enough to represent my feelings for these victims and their parents.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

My child was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and some complicated nerve tissue infections Luckily we hadan encounter with Dr Jose, a renowned Italian doctor that helped him overcome this cancer and other infections in less than two and a half months, just with the use of herbal medicine and spiritual help, i can now boldly say He is cancer free and a proud living testimony,Dr Jose is known to be able to tackle any type of cancer found in the human body, God forbids any one should suffer here on earth, thats why I believe he created all these herbs, if you also want to clear your doubts and fight cancer to the barest minimum, take the bull by the horn and avoid death, you can contact our Doctor, by his email joseherbals28@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My child was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and some complicated nerve tissue infections Luckily we had an encounter with Dr wiliams, a renowned Italian doctor that helped him overcome this cancer and other infections in less than two and a half months, just with the use of herbal medicine and spiritual help, i can now boldly say He is cancer free and a proud living testimony,Dr williams is known to be able to tackle any type of cancer found in the human body, God forbids any one should suffer here on earth, thats why I believe he created all these herbs, if you also want to clear your doubts and fight cancer to the barest minimum, take the bull by the horn and avoid death, you can contact our Doctor, by his email drwiliams46@gmail.com