GBM News

Researchers involved with the development of the Cancer Genome Atlas yesterday published a paper showing that glioblastoma multiforme appears to have at least four distinct genetic subtypes (see also).   Although it is not yet clear how significant this finding might be from a treatment perspective, it seems likely that more targeted treatments will eventually emerge.  It will be interesting to learn if there are differences in prognosis among the genetic subtypes.  For now I don't know how (or even if) this finding applies to me directly but will probably find out more when we return to Bethesda again in early March.  I am enrolled in a molecular markers clinical trial that is looking at about a dozen different genes so we might learn something relevant at that point.  For now, I am in the middle of another three week phase of chemotherapy and continue to feel pretty good overall.  /dps