Back from Chicago after meeting Dr. Jeffrey Raizer and hearing about some options in entering for my entry into a new clinical trial.
Option #1: A Phase2 Clinical Tria of Azixa (MPC827). This is a new, small molecule drug being developed by Myriad Pharmaceuticals. For this Phase-2 trial, total enrollment will be 68 patients with 10 at Northwestern in Chicago. Azixa’s is thought to be a microtubule destabilizing agent, causing arrest of cell division and programmed cell death, or apoptosis, in cancer cells. Azixa easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and is resistant to multi-drug resistance activity of certain tumor cells. These two features make it attractive. IV infusion Treatment is at Northwestern clinical research facility on day 1,8, and 15 of each 4 week “cycle”. Also, anbrain MRI will be taken every 4-8 weeks. Since Azixa has the potential for cardio toxicity (rare), ECGs are taken before and after each infusion along with measurement of blood troponin. Each visit to the clinic can take up to 6 hours due to the additional tests required along with the infusion.
Option #2: A Phase1/2 Clinical Trial of Cloretazine(Vion Pharma # VNP40101M) with Temodar. It’s mechanism causes it to interact with the cancer cell DNA and kill the cancer cell. Here is the typical cycle: 7 days on Temodar and then IV Cloretazine 2 hours after the last (7th dose) of Temodar over 15-30 minute infusion period. There is adequeate data suggesting that Cloretazine crosses the blood-brain barrier. If the tumor is held in check or is decreasing, than another cycle is warented. Meaning another 7 days of Temodar followed another IV dose of Cloretazine. A “cycle” lasts a total of 7 weeks. So treatments are 1 eek for each 7 weeks. An MRI is administered after the 7 week cycle yo note the effects on the tumor.
Option #3: A Phase 2 Clinical trial at Northwestern Uniyersity Medical center in Chicago. This one will use the drug Bortezomib (Velcade) prior to additional de-bulking surgery (at Northwestern) followed by more Vlcade with Temodar (Temodar). Velcade is part of a new class of drugs that act on a cellular control protein called NF-Kappa-B. These cycles are 28 days The major advantage of this option is that Velcade is already an approved drug for another type of cancer: Multiple Myeloma. But there are questions about its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. The major disadvantage is that it requires more surgery including another craniotomy. Right now, we will let Dr. Raizer study my latest MRI scan and then have him consult with Dr. Nicholas on what they can agreepm on for my best option. Then of course, it’s up to Patty and me to make the final decision.
