FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN GENE THERAPY..Hope

[rm516]

Scientists are working on various forms of treatment for acoustic neuromas that do not involve either surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery.  The development of gene therapy may hold the most promise for a future cure of these tumors without surgery.    Research is also ongoing in novel treatment strategies for other tumors that affect the base of the skull.  Patients are involved in clinical trials of neuro-protective agents, which are being studied for their effectiveness at improving hearing preservation, as well as, facial nerve function after surgery for acoustic neuromas.



http://neurosurgery.uthscsa.edu/display_patients.php?ps_id=33&pg=patient_services.php

[jerseygirl]

Great article! I wonder what are those neuroprotective agents they are talking about.

               Eve

[Larry]

Interesting link.

Stem Cells are an exciting medical option (if we avoid the moral issue).

For those that do have moral issues with stem cells, please note that doctors have been using stem cells in cancer patients for a long time.

cheers


laz

[rm516]

Too complex for me too.. May be some one explain in layman's language

http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?WO=2010065776&IA=US2009066641&DISPLAY=STATUS

[Lizard]

Well there is hope for future generations of ANer's.
Thanks for sharing,
Liz

[rm516]

This year Weill Medical College of Cornell University  clinical trial of AVASTIN for patients with Vestibular Schwannoma (VS)  - ( not NF2 only)
Clinical trial ends in 2013
http://clinicaltrialsfeeds.org/clinical-trials/show/NCT01083966

[opp2]

Interesting link.

Stem Cells are an exciting medical option (if we avoid the moral issue).

For those that do have moral issues with stem cells, please note that doctors have been using stem cells in cancer patients for a long time.

cheers


laz

Hey Laz, I'm not certain, but I believe the moral isseus with stem cells are regarding the collection of aborted fetuses for harvesting cells?

There are many thousands of people, like me, who collected stem cells from the placenta after my children were born. Just to put that out there. If my kids can't use their cells, I have no problem donating them after they reach the limit. (we were told at the birth of my eldest that there would not be enough cells likely beyond the 8th year because of the size of the collection and the size of the child.

Am I correct?

[Larry]

I'd rathernot get too deep and meaningful on the moral issue re stem cells and whioch ones are eing used etc. I was just trying to say that they are being used now. I'm not sure on the capacity thing.


Laz