First human trial for brain tumours treatment to begin in Brisbane and Melbourne
Published: 25 Nov. 2014
The worlds-first human trial for the treatment of brain cancer is set to begin in Brisbane and Melbourne. It has the potential to be one of the biggest breakthroughs in brain cancer treatment.
Scientists are confident an antibody created to prolong the lives of people suffering from Glioblastoma tumour may offer a cure. Andrew Boyd QIMR Berghofer Medical Institute professor discovered the cancer protein EphA3 more than 20 years ago. He also developed the antibody that has been shown to specifically target cancer cells which express EphA3. American biotech company KaloBios Pharmaceutical adapted it for human use when they created KB004 clinical drug.
20 patients with recurrent brain tumour will be treated at Royal Brisbane, Women’s Hospital and Austin Hospital in Melbourne will be treated with the antibody that specifically targets a cancer protein on the surface of the tumour cells as part of the trial.
Dr Brett Stringer, said the upcoming Glioblastoma trial would be the first test of the drug against solid tumours, as opposed to blood cancers.
“We expect that it will prolong life,” he said. “Our hope is for patients … with this new antibody is that it will give them a second chance.
News sourced from:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-25/human-trials-begin-on-brain-cancer-treatment/5917512
The Angels’ Doc Neeson, 67, Dies of Brain Tumour
June 4, 2014
The Angels’ lead singer and Australian rock icon Bernard Patrick “Doc” Neeson has died at age 67, just 17 months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. The singer’s Facebook Page confirmed his death June 3, 2014 at 7:15am.
Doc Neeson collapsed when he was at a family Christmas dinner in 2012 and was taken by an ambulance to Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital. After having a seizure at the hospital, a scan revealed that he had an aggressive brain tumour. On his birthday he got the diagnosis that it was the worst type of brain tumour and was told that statistically he had 18 months to live. “It was a shock of course when somebody puts a use by date on me, but I still hung on to a shred of hope that I’d get back on the stage at some point,” Neeson told Australian Story.
On June 4 the Doc Neeson Facebook page confirmed his passing: “It is with deep sadness and regret that the family of Angels singer/songwriter Bernard ‘Doc’ Neeson — loving father, family member and friend to so many — announce he has passed away in his sleep at 7.15am, today, 4th June 2014.
“He has battled with a brain tumour for the last 17 months and sadly lost his fight this morning. He will be deeply missed by his family and partner Annie Souter who would all like to thank everyone for their support through this dark time.
‘We love you Dad. You couldn’t have made any of your sons more proud of you if you tried. May your beautiful soul rest in peace sweet angel, fly high.” – Dzintra, Daniel, Aidan and Kieran.
‘Good Night, Sweet Prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.’ With love forever, Annie — borrowed from William Shakespeare — Hamlet.”
Doc Neeson was born in Belfast, Ireland in 1947 and migrated to Adelaide Australia with his family when he was 13-years old. He met with musicians in Adelaide and formed the Moonshine Jug and String Band. The band became the Keystone Angels in 1974 and eventually The Angels with Doc Neeson as the lead singer and frontman. His songwriting contribution to Am I Ever Going To See Your Face Again, Coming Down and Take A Long Line, among many, have become part of Australian music history.
News sourced from: www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/the-angels-doc-neeson-67-dies-20140604-zrx5i.html and http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/angels-frontman-doc-neeson-dies-after-battle-with-brain-cancer/
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