...Abstract Glioblastoma is one of the deadliest brain tumors. It is commonly found among adults (more commonly in men) over 50 years old. Children and younger adults are susceptible to another, less aggressive form of glioblastoma. This tumor part of the astrocytomas family and is initially formed from glial cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It differs significantly from other brain tumors in terms of how quickly the cells grow, how often the tumors recur, and the treatment options. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, confusion, and seizures. Doctors can test the patients for whether or not they have the tumor through MRIs, biopsies, and CT scans. Following diagnosis, patients undergo a craniotomy, followed by chemotherapy...
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...Effect of Glioblastoma Multiform(GBM) The effect of glioblastoma multiform is depending on the location of the tumor. If the tumor is located in the frontal lobe of the brain, the patient may have difficulty in decision making and problem solving. They cannot think of every possible solution to that particular problem. Moreover, if the tumor is at the left hemisphere of the brain, it may affect the patient’s language skills or verbal memory and logical thinking while on the right hemisphere will affect the visual-spatial intelligence. Effects of radiation therapy on children’s cognitions. Children’s cognitions may affect after they underwent the therapy for glioblastoma. Some of the therapies are chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Radiation...
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...You have a brain tumor! This is a statement that I hope none of you every have to hear. But, unfortunately 8.2 out of every 100,000 people in the US have received this diagnosis according to the IRSA Website. A primary malignant brain tumor represents 2% of cancers diagnosed in the US. And even worse 13,000 Americans die from them each year…which is 2% of all cancer deaths per the IRSA website. So, tonight I would like to talk to you about one type of primary brain cancer that has affected my life personally. Glioblastoma Multiforeme…or as a June 6, 2000 article named it “ The Terminator” My mom was diagnosed with this cancer on Dec 30,2010 after showing signs that my family and I missed for months. My hopes are that by sharing the information that I have learned with each of you that you may be better educated in what to watch for, treatment options, prognosis and etc. Just in case it ever happens to you or someone you love. Let’s start with the facts. According to the IRSA website “Malignant tumors are life-threatening; they invade surrounding normal body tissue, and grow unusually rapidly”. “The tumor generally does not have a distinct border and may spread to other areas in the brain or spine…some of them to critical areas which can be life threatening immediately. Even benign tumors can be life-threatening because of their location. So, you might ask yourself…what causes a brain tumor? Tumors are caused by a change in the genetic structure or...
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...Human Glioblastoma Multiforme: p53 Reactivation by a Novel MDM2 Inhibitor Costa et al. PLoS ONE, 2013, (8) 1-19 Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive type of brain tumor found in humans. Prognosis for GBM patients is usually very poor (less than one year survival time after diagnosis), due to chemotherapeutic drug resistance from the tumor. Research has linked GBM to malfunction of the p53 tumor suppressing protein. When bound to overexpressed MDM2, an oncoprotein, p53 is inactivated and unable to inhibit cancer cell development, causing the tumor to grow and spread. This paper will analyze a research article by Costa et al. (2013) that focuses on using an inhibitor of MDM2 called ISA27 to increase p53 activity. The group hypothesized that applying the MDM2 oncoprotein inhibitor ISA27 to Glioblastoma Multiforme cells would stimulate p53 activity, leading to the arrest of the tumor’s growth and induction of apoptosis in the cancerous cells. To test this hypothesis, the group tested ISA27’s effectiveness on GBM cells. Cell lines with GBM tumors that expressed both MDM2 and wild-type p53 were first treated in vitro with ISA27. After allowing the drug to take effect, the cells were analyzed for concentration of active p53 and other signaling proteins that contribute to apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The experiment was also performed in vivo in nude mice, using ISA27 alone and in combination with another common GMB chemotherapeutic drug...
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...Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), tumors that originate from astrocytes, is the most common and deadliest form of brain tumor in the human population. Since the tumors are supported by a comparatively large network of blood vessels in contrast to other tumoral cells , they are highly proliferative and malignant. Though with a seemingly exclusive localization to the cerebral hemisphere, GBMs can be found in the spinal cord, brain stem and the cerebellum as well; an estimated 61% of primary gliomas are found in the cerebral lobes, with the highest incidence in the frontal lobe (25%), respectively followed by the temporal lobe (20%), parietal lobe (13%) and the occipital lobe (3%). Based on origin, GBMs are categorized into two groups: Primary (de novo) and Secondary. While primary...
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...E-mail alerts Reprints and Subscriptions Permissions Sign up to receive free email-alerts related to this article or journal. To order reprints of this article or to subscribe to the journal, contact the AACR Publications Department at pubs@aacr.org. To request permission to re-use all or part of this article, contact the AACR Publications Department at permissions@aacr.org. Downloaded from cancerres.aacrjournals.org on February 1, 2014. © 2012 American Association for Cancer Research. Review Cancer Research Cancer Stem Cells: Distinct Entities or Dynamically Regulated Phenotypes? Yunqing Li1,2 and John Laterra1,2,3,4 Abstract The origins of tumor-propagating neoplastic stem-like cells [cancer stem cells (CSC)] and their relationship to the bulk population of tumor cells that lack stem-like tumor-propagating features (i.e., transit-amplifying cancer progenitor cells) remain unclear. Recent findings from multiple laboratories show that cancer progenitor cells have the capacity to dedifferentiate and acquire a stem-like phenotype in response to either genetic manipulation or environmental cues. These findings suggest that CSCs and relatively differentiated progenitors coexist in dynamic equilibrium and are subject to bidirectional conversion. In this review, we...
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...Here, a methodology is described in order to combat the growth of glioblastoma, while simultaneously re-activating the immune system to recognize and effectively terminate glioblastoma cells. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a gene for cell receptors that is overexpressed in glioblastoma, contributing to the proliferation of the cancer. Gene therapy, such as pre-trans splicing has been demonstrated to be an effective strategy in blocking the expression of EGFR. A pre-trans splicing RNA molecule (PTRM) was designed by reviewing the literature. Additionally, interleukin 13 receptor alpha variant 2 (IL13Rα2) has become an effective target for immunotherapy due to being selectively expressed in glioblastoma and the strong immune responses of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) it elicits. Cloning a portion of IL13Rα2 as an immunogen into the multiple cloning site of the PTRM would lead to greater IL13Rα2 expression and therefore, greater immunogenic potential of the tumor microenvironment. It is expected that delivery of hybrid PTM and immunogen in an adeno-associated virus plasmid vector would lead to synergistically inhibiting EGFR expression with the potential to reactivate the CTL...
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...Johnny, tragic death called, “Death Be Not Proud.” Gunther entails the wondrous accomplishments Johnny made, along with his terrific fight against a brain tumor. Throughout the whole book, Gunther describes Johnny’s attitude as positively upbeat and wittily sarcastic, even though Johnny seemed to already have accepted his death early on. Gunther starts the memoir by informing the reader that Johnny dies after fighting a brain tumor for fifteen months; then, goes on to describe Johnny’s life as a whole. Johnny was sixteen years old, attending Deerfield Academy, loved learning new things, was especially passionate for science, and had a selfless, amiable nature. Over spring break, Johnny started complaining about a stiff neck, and his parents called their doctor, Traeger, to check on him. Traeger gives Johnny a clean bill of health, but after continued complaints, Johnny’s parents decide to bring in a specialist, Putnam, who believes Johnny has a brain tumor. Johnny is rushed into surgery where Putnam is only able to remove half of the orange-sized tumor that was occupying Johnny’s brain. Johnny’s condition seemed to be improving, until he suffered a fainting attack, and the...
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...CNS Cancer or Brain Tumor A brain tumor is a mass of abnormal cells that is growing in or around the brain. It develops when abnormal cells multiply for unknown reasons. Benign and malignant are terms used to describe brain tumors. Benign brain tumors are usually slow growing and have distinct borders and a normal appearance under a microscope. Malignant tumors are considered brain cancer. They tend to invade healthy areas of the brain and may grow rapidly. A benign tumor may be considered malignant if it is located in a critical area of the brain or its size is life-threatening. Primary brain tumors start within the brain. Secondary or metastatic brain tumors come from cells which have broken away from cancers within the body and traveled to the brain. Metastatic brain tumors are always considered malignant since they evolve from cancerous cells and grow rapidly. I. Anatomy Review * The brain and spinal cord together are known as the Central Nervous System. * The adult brain weighs about three pounds, and is tightly enclosed by the skull. * It is a complex organ composed of nerve cells (neurons) and supporting tissues (glia). * The brain has four main parts: the meninges which are the membranes that enclose the brain, the cerebrum which is the largest part of the brain and is split into two hemispheres, the cerebellum which is the back part of the brain, located under the cerebral hemispheres, and the brain stem which connects to the spinal cord. ...
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...Mechell Andaya PHI 208 Instructor Michael Larson right to die Mechell Andaya PHI 208 Instructor Michael Larson right to die Using assisted suicide is a personal decision that a person makes to end suffering. As this can change and take an affect a family mentally. The medical procedure that uses euthanasia they use in assisted suicide are carried out by patients with terminal illnesses like irreversible brain tumor (glioblastoma), has no control over how long the pain will last. This is issue is as controversial as well as it has good and bad to it. Many do believe that a person is physically suffering in pain they have the right to die by their own decision. Assisted suicide is not legal in most state and it should be legal for those who are suffering from terminal illness. With anything that is good will always have a down side. Because there is only a few states that it is legal and with that a doctor could lose their license to assist those in places where it is illegal. We know that the issue is with a Senate bill that any type that involves any assisted suicide to include euthanasia or lethal injection. This bill protects assisted suicide. There are advantages with assisted suicide. Physicians that conducts assisted suicide is they give you the decision on how you should end your life. Others argue because on people’s beliefs and opinions on this controversial topic. Some do believe that it is a human right. And in the couple of states that is legal, Doctors...
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...In addition to astrocytes, name three other types of neuroglia cells and describe the functions that have been suggested for them Oligodendrocyte: give support to neurons by arranging themselves in rows along nerve fibers. They also produce a phospholipid myelin sheath around axons of neurons in the central nervous system Microglia: small cells with few processes. Seem to be the brain’s macrophages - they phagocytize bacteria and cellular debris, and can migrate into an area of damaged nerves tissue. They play a housekeeping role, and eat up neurons that may have been damaged or killed by disease, trauma, etc. Ependyma: Cuboidal or columnar in shape and may have cilia. Form a continuous epithelial limning for the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord Describe all the possible functions of astrocytes important in the uptake of glucose from the capillaries supplying nervous tissue Uptake of neurotransmitters released by neurons modify the concentration of calcium in neurons lying in contact with hem, and so alter their excitability (responsiveness to signals) responsible for homeostasis of ions involved in signaling to be able to listen to what neurons are saying, and to talk to other astrocytes via gap junctions can undergo...
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... Proponent on behalf of the legalizing of physician assisted suicide, believe that it is a choice issue,That because doctors have enough knowledge and experience to know when a patient is dying, so what purpose does it serve to let that patient suffer in agony, until their body gives out? Being terminally ill come with all sorts of pain. One must deal with psychological suffering, having to bear six months of one’s life having uncontrollable spams, vomiting and some cases seizures and no recollection of memories. In January a patient name Maynard was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain tumor which are tumors that grows in supportive tissue of the brain, that can reproduce and spread anywhere in the brain and travel down to the body at a fast pace because it is in the brain cell. Some of the symptoms are Vomiting, as weakness on one side of the body, memory and/or speech difficulties, and visual changes (Brain Tumor Symptoms, Treatment, Support).She decided to move to Oregon to partake in the physician assisted suicide, which is the only state in the U.S to legalize it (Chronology right To Die).She would eventually lose all her motor functions and she suffered from seizure which caused her to paralyzed. She had to watch a piece of her self-taken away day by day by this disease. She should be allowed to have aid from a physicians because No one should have to go through that. All in all, there are many arguments in favor of and also against the legalization of assisted suicide...
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... On her final day, Brittany Maynard did her favorite thing. She strolled outdoors with her husband, her family, a friend, and a dog. Upon returning home, she drank a lethal mixture of water, sedatives and respiratory-system depressants, then died. Her seizure earlier that morning reinforced anxiety of what was coming next: losing her eyesight, becoming paralyzed and unable to speak. She feared being trapped in her own body and becoming a burden to those around her. Maynard wrote in her final Facebook post: "Goodbye to all my dear friends and family that I love. Today is the day I have chosen to pass away with dignity in the face of my terminal illness, this terrible brain cancer that has taken so much from me ... but would have taken so much more”. Took her it did. In the 10 month period between her brain tumor diagnosis and passing, the newlywed moved from California to Oregon to take advantage of Oregon's Death with Dignity Law. (People, 2014 article) Mrs. Maynard’s act of cheating life was perfectly legal and her husband can even cash in on her life insurance policy. Proponents of PAS argue that terminally ill people should have the right to end their suffering with a quick, dignified, and compassionate death. They argue this entitlement is protected by the same constitutional safeguards that guarantee such rights as marriage, procreation, and the refusal or termination of life-saving medical treatment. Opponents of physician-assisted suicide contend that doctors have a moral...
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...Rachel Blankenship Professor Bohn English 1020, section 005 3 December 2012 Outline I. Introduction i. Adams, Mike. “Exclusive Interview with Billy Best.” ii. Personal Narrative II. Body A. Background Information iii. “Carcinogen.” Wikipedia. iv. “Cancer.” Wikipedia. B. Opposing Perspectives v. Schorr, Andrew. "Interview with Amie Blanco: Hereditary Colon Cancer." vi. Joe Chemo. Image. vii. Phillips, Gavin.“Interview with Dr. Burzynski.” C. Thesis + Support viii. Holistic vs. Medical treatment: medical treatment seems to be a better shot at surviving. ix. Kelly. “Adenoma/Glioblastoma multiforme/Anaplastic astrocytoma/Glioma Cured.” x. Cousins, Emily. “Life after Treatment Can Be Almost As Hard as the Chemo.” xi. Messoria, Josie. Personal interview. 15 November 2012. III. Conclusion xii. Personal. Abstract In this essay the author discusses cancer, what causes cancer, holistic vs. medical treatments. The first part of the essay the author presents a piece of an interview conducted with a young cancer patient who was going against the grain and refusing treatment. The essay then goes into a personal narrative on how the author feels about cancer then from there goes into a great descriptive paragraph about cancer and carcinogens. Her thesis is clearly surrounding the argument whether or not holistic or medical treatments...
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...Abstract Gleevec is heralded as a savior drug for cancer research. Created by the rational drug design model, Gleevec targets the tyrosine kinase enzyme in CML patients.[10] By targeting and binding to the active sites of the cancerous cells, Gleevec denaturizes them, preventing the spread of the disease.[10] Gleevec has been FDA approved to be administered to patients diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia and also patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors.[6] Although, this treatment has also been proved to aid in other fields of medicine, ranging from treating other types of cancers to delaying tumor growth to therapy for diabetes and even to cancer treatment in pets.[5,6,8,9] However, for Gleevec to have been made other cell targeted drugs had to be made before it. And just as those drugs paved the way for Gleevec, Gleevec is paving the way for even more cancer treatments to be made. Introduction and Background The official war on cancer began when President Richard Nixon declared that this was the next big thing in the history of the United States. He compared the battle and potential cure of cancer to the process of landing on the moon. However, the battle against cancer has proved to be much more difficult. But there is progress being made. In 2003, 556,902 people in the United States died from cancer.[11] However, in 2002, 557,271 people in the United States died from cancer.[11] Even though the difference of deaths was not that great, this was still...
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