Brain SPOREs

It is estimated that in 2011 there will be over 22,000 new cases of cancer of the brain and nervous system and over 13,000 deaths in the United States. The Brain Cancer SPORE program was initiated in 2002 and presently there are four SPOREs in Brain Cancer. The current program is focused primarily on the epidemiology and treatment of adult brain tumors. While the primary brain tumors continue to be relatively insensitive to cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy, and little is known about environmental or genetic risk factors, the Brain SPOREs are intensively researching new intervention opportunities. Therapeutic trails include those testing novel agents (e.g., nanoliposomes) alone or in combination with other agents (e.g., temozolomide) and/ or radiation.  Epidemiological and molecular findings suggest that the immune system, and possibly infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV), may play a role in glioma risk, progression and/or progression. Additional efforts are focused upon identifying and characterizing underlying immune factors that may contribute to the development of targeted immunotherapies for this disease. This portfolio is co-sponsored by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.