BRAIN TUMOUR RESEARCH LEADS TO DOUBLING OF SURVIVAL TIMES
A penetrating analysis of the outlook for patients with one of the most aggressive types of brain tumour suggests that survival times have, on average, doubled in 30 years.
A penetrating analysis of the outlook for patients with one of the most aggressive types of brain tumour suggests that survival times have, on average, doubled in 30 years.
In a comparison of studies undertaken over the last 30 years into the highly malignant tumour glioblastoma multiforme tumour (GBM), brain cancer expert1 and patron of the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust (SDBTT)2, Professor Roy Rampling has quantified the extent to which research and new treatments have helped patient outcomes. This includes not only improvements in treatment, but also an important improvement in the precision of their diagnosis.
Professor Rampling’s analysis compares the outlook for patients where the effect of prognostic genetic markers that are now being tested for is taken into account. The presence of these markers is being used to help predict with greater accuracy how patients will respond to given treatments, and to which clinical trials individual patients are best suited. The SDBTT has funded pioneering research in this area,3 and has enabled tests for these markers to be routinely offered in some hospitals.4 This will help specialists to design the optimal treatment and care programme for each patient.5
Professor Rampling said: “There is a cause for optimism here. I strongly feel that our best opportunity to progress further is to emphasise funding of lab-based research and small innovative trials. This is where organisations like the Samantha Dickson Brain tumour Trust really make a difference.”
In terms of the improvements in survival times, these figures, released to coincide with Brain Tumour Awareness Month, show that half of all patients are still alive one year after diagnosis. This was unheard of 30 years ago when the study found that less than 10% of patients survived more than six months. The figures are a testament to the impact of research, which has resulted in advances in treatment and care for people with GBM, a cancer type which accounts for 50 per cent of all primary brain tumours.
Paul Carbury, CEO of the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust said: “The improvements in survival times that Professor Rampling’s analysis points to are encouraging, but clearly there is so much more that can be done. Brain cancer research receives a fraction of the funding of that of higher profile cancers and it is our priority to redress the balance. These figures show that advances in treatment, achieved through the dedicated work of committed researchers over the years, have had a significant effect. The improvement that this analysis suggests would not be there without the funds which have supported these researchers.”
SDBTT is the leading adult and childhood brain tumour charity dedicated to research and support in the UK. The charity has been working to find a cure for brain tumours since it was set up in 1996 by Samantha’s parents, Neil and Angela Dickson. Since then, funds approaching £10m have been raised for brain tumour research and support services for patients and carers, and the charity has become the largest dedicated funder of brain tumour research in the UK.
Paul Johnson
Loop PR
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About Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust (SDBTT)
Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust is the leading adult and childhood brain tumour charity dedicated to research in the UK. The charity’s aim is to raise awareness, support and funds for brain tumour research to help fight this devastating disease and give hope to brain tumour patients in the future. It also offers support and information to patients and their carers.
The charity has been working to find a cure for brain tumours since it was set up in 1996 by Samantha’s parents, Neil and Angela Dickson. Since then millions of pounds have been raised for brain tumour research and support services for patients and carers, and the charity has become the largest dedicated funder of brain tumour research in the UK.
More information on Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust is available by calling 0845 130 9733 or visiting www.braintumourtrust.co.uk
General Statistics
Out of the £420million spent on cancer research in the UK per year, less than 1% is spent on brain tumour research.
6,500 people are diagnosed each year with a primary brain tumour.
3,400 people lose their lives to a brain tumour each year.
Despite being the biggest childhood cancer killer and causing more deaths among the under 40s than any other cancer statistics show that brain cancer has received only a fraction of the funding of higher profile cancers. Statistics also show that high profile cancers have received up to 20 times the investment of brain cancer and have seen survival rates almost double in 30 years.
Often dubbed the ‘forgotten cancer’, the UK’s brain cancer survival rates have barely changed in 30 years whereas other cancer types have seen clear improvements.
Brain tumours cause the greatest reduction in life expectancy of any cancer - at over 20 years of life lost on average - and are the biggest killer of adults under 40.
People affected by brain tumours can suffer long-term adverse effects as a result of the tumour and treatment they receive – this adds 12,000 disabled life years in the UK each year.
SDBTT Statistics
Record year from 1st April 2008 – 31st March 2009
Record income of £1.3m for the year
Record research expenditure of £1m
Three major research breakthroughs:
University of Newcastle – our research team have pinpointed characteristics of medulloblastoma tumours that could help to determine the severity of an individual child’s cancer. A new project is now trialling a UK-wide system for testing tumour samples and will assess whether this could be used routinely to improve diagnosis and tailor treatment for individual patients.
Queen Mary University, London – our research team has made a major breakthrough with regard to the childhood brain tumour pilocytic astrocytoma. Research has identified certain genetic changes that are frequently found in these tumours, and which relate to a pathway that is likely to be involved in the development of the tumour.
National Hospital University College London – for the first time in the UK adult high grade brain tumour patients are having a chromosome test on their tumour samples. The test identifies approximately one in three patients whose tumour is far more reactive to chemotherapy
6,500 people are diagnosed each year with a primary brain tumour.
3,400 people lose their lives to a brain tumour each year.
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