Brain Radiation and Vorinostat (SAHA)

I also wanted to offer my support and prayers to Yasou regarding her brain radiation. Stay strong.

Regarding brain radiation, I wanted to share some very positive research that I learned of while attending the National Breast Cancer Coalition Project LEAD Institute. Dr. Patricia Steeg was one of our instructors. Patricia S. Steeg, Ph.D. of the National Cancer Institute was the 2008 recipient of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure 2008 Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction in Basic Science. She is obviously an expert in the field of molecular biology of breast cancer. She shared with the participants her "top three" list of new and exciting therapeutic options. One of the three options included Varinostat (SAHA) and radiation for brain metasetases. Variostat (SAHA) passes through the blood/brain barrier and makes the tumors more sensitive to the radiation. A Phase II trial of Vorinostat and radiation for brain Metastasis was noted at Thomas Jefferson University by Adam Dickler, M.D., PI. In addition the website BrainMetsBC.org was also noted. I do not know the status of the clinical study, but it might be worth some researching for those who may be in need of or interested in this research. That is about all the information that I have, but I found it very interesting and compelling.

I am very excited to be attending ASCO-Breast Symposium in October and San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December. I will be reporting back to you any and all findings that I hear of. I understand that both of the meetings will have a huge, huge amount of research reported. I once again invite you to join NBCC (stopbreastcancer.org) and consider attending one of the educational seminars.