NEWS ABOUT THE CURE

Canada Based Non-Profit Selected to be the Newest International Chapter of The Cure Starts Now

The Cure Starts Now Canada is the newest international chapter in honor of their son, Liam with whom they lost to DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) Victoria, British Columbia  February 2022­­ – The Cure Starts Now is expanding its international presence into Canada.  With chapters that extend across the United States and Australia it was important for us to build a partnership and friendship with our northern neighbor.  The Cure Starts Now Canada was formed in honor of 3-year-old little Li

Compassionate Use, Expanded Access, and Off-Trial Use of Treatments for Brain Tumors

When confronting a brain tumor diagnosis, clinical trials are often the first resort beyond or concurrent with radiation for treatment options.  Although these trials may not offer a cure, phase 2 and phase 3 trials do offer a limited measure of comfort from life-threatening side effects.  But if these options don’t work, many patients find themselves weighing other options including phase 1 trials or even compassionate use opportunities where little to nothing may be known about the compound be

Preclinical and clinical evaluation of German-sourced ONC201 for the treatment of H3K27M-mutant diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma

In a study funded by The Cure Starts Now and the DIPG/DMG Collaborative, Dr. Dun discusses the initial effects of differing formulations of ONC201. Background Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a fatal childhood brainstem tumor for which radiation is the only treatment. Case studies report a clinical response to ONC201 for patients with H3K27M-mutant gliomas. Oncoceutics (ONC201) is only available in the United States and Japan; however, in Germany, DIPG patients can be prescribed and di

The H2A.Z-nuclesome code in mammals: emerging functions

A recent publication in Trends in Genomics highlighted Dr. Valdes-Mora's investigation into the functions and role of histone variations in cancers. This helps to define relevant targets not only in DIPG but also other cancers for the next group of trials. This investigation was funded by the DIPG/DMG Collaborative. Highlights The histone variant H2A.Z has been involved in many diverse and contrasting functions. H2A.Z complex biology, including different post-translational modifications, iso

Pharmaco-proteogenomic profiling of pediatric diffuse midline glioma to inform future treatment strategies

Dr. Dun’s latest research helps to outline key attributes between DIPG and DMGs and how we might best find complementary strategies to attack DMG to improve prognoses.  This, when combined with further genetic analysis, will lead to improved outcomes for children fighting these brain tumors. Abstract Diffuse midline glioma (DMG) is a deadly pediatric and adolescent central nervous system (CNS) tumor localized along the midline structures of the brain atop the spinal cord. With a median overall s

Dosing Optimization of CED Drug Delivery for DIPG

A recent publication in the Journal of Neurosurgery highlighted Dr. Souweidane's efforts to leverage software in order to better predict CED drug delivery in DIPG patients. This may improve researchers' ability to optimize dosing for drugs delivered by CED, such as chemotherapy. CED administration in DIPG patients is largely thanks to research funding by The Cure Starts Now. Abstract With increasing use of convection-enhanced delivery (CED) of drugs, the need for software that can predict infusi

Groundbreaking Brain Cancer Trial Funded by Local Charities Demonstrates 2/3 Survival of Mice and Heads to Human Trials

Every year around 200-400 children die from the incurable brain tumor, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) in the US and Australia. The average age of diagnosis for DIPG is just seven years old. There are no effective treatments, and average survival is from 12-18 months. A paper published in the prestigious journal, Nature Communications, reveals a revolutionary drug combination that – in animal studies and in world first 3D models of the tumor – is “spectacularly effective in eradicating t

Dual targeting of the epigenome via FACT complex and histone deacetylase is a potent treatment strategy for DIPG

In 2019 Dr. Maria Tsoli and Dr. David Ziegler of Children's Cancer Institute proposed developing new epigenetic combination treatments against DIPG. This project was approved for funding by the DIPG/DMG Collaborative and The Cure Starts Now and here are the results: Abstract Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is an aggressive and incurable childhood brain tumor for which new treatments are needed. CBL0137 is an anti-cancer compound developed from quinacrine that targets facilitates chromati

Australian Researchers Find New Way to Target Deadly Childhood Cancer With CBL0137

The following work was supported by grants from The Cure Starts Now and the DIPG/DMG Collaborative. Research by Australian scientists could pave the way to a new treatment for a currently incurable brain cancer in children called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, or DIPG. Affecting about 150-300 children in US each year, DIPG is a devastating disease with a median survival range of 8-11 months, according to DIPG.org. The research, led by scientists at Children’s Cancer Institute and published th

The Do's and Don'ts of Helping a Friend Whose Child is Battling Cancer

A cancer diagnosis is life-altering but when the diagnosis is for your child, life is thrown off its axis and becomes complete chaos. For parents whose child is undergoing treatment, the road is exhausting and never-ending, leaving them with little time for anything other than taking care of their child. There are many things people can do and should not do when supporting friends who are dealing with a childhood cancer diagnosis. We have compiled a list of Do’s and Don’ts to help you navigate t