City scientists planning trials of drug to fight brain tumors

Oklahoma scientists have made great strides lately in the fight against brain tumors, but those advances may not be commercially viable in time to help Sen. Edward Kennedy in his life-and-death battle.

When Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in May, he put on a brave public face, flashing an optimistic "thumbs up” at reporters and stating he is ready for a fight even though he knows the prognosis for such tumors is grim.

His biopsy revealed that he suffered from a malignant glioma in the left parietal lobe of his brain. A glioma is a brain tumor that begins in the glial, or supportive cells of the brain or spinal cord. These tumors can grow to occupy as much as 25 percent of the brain. Generally, treatment methods can extend the life of patients but not cure the cancer.

Since his cancer diagnosis, Kennedy has undergone surgery to remove the tumor, and his doctors will proceed with radiation and chemotherapy. This course of treatment is the most common and widely used treatment for gliomas.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 21,000 Americans will develop brain and nervous system cancers this year. About 13,000 people will die from these conditions.

Though the work of two Oklahoma City scientists may be too late for Kennedy, the scientists' findings could greatly improve the prognosis for future glioma patients.

Robert Floyd and Rheal Towner, both of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, may have identified a compound that can halt brain tumors such as Kennedy's. The compound has proved successful at reducing the rate of growth and even eradicating glioma tumors in about 90 percent of animal trials.

Page 1 of 2

1 2 Next