Context
Despite the dramatic increase in the number of glioblastoma patients in the past decade and up-to-date treatments, brain tumors – especially glioblastomas – remain a disease with a poor outcome.
To change this pattern, the neuro-oncology team at the CHUV (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois / Lausanne University Hospital) is intensely involved in international and in-house clinical trials. Clinical trials represent an important opportunity for patients who can potentially benefit from the latest advances in the field.
Over the last 10 years, the CHUV has offered over 30 trials for patients with glioblastoma. In 2021 alone, 60% of glioblastoma patients were included in a clinical trial at the CHUV. Patients admitted to the CHUV come from Europe, the Middle East, the United States and Russia for treatment. The outpatient consultations at the CHUV have increased from 500 to 2200 per year.
Patients suffering from a brain tumor require specialized care from a large number of specialists. The CHUV is one of the few places in the world with highly trained specialists in each of the related fields who are exclusively dedicated to patient care and management through collaboration across disciplines to ensure that patients receive the most up-to-date care.
The clinical trials led by the neuro-oncology team of the University Hospital Lausanne have resulted in concrete advances in standards of care treatments which are used worldwide today. These breakthrough contributions solidified the CHUV’s international reputation in this field and led to the creation of the Brain & Spine Tumor Center in 2021, under the direction of Dr. Andreas Hottinger, MD, PhD, FEAN.
Goals
This project will create a ten-year neuro-oncology research platform to discover better treatments for brain tumors.
KBF CANADA will work with the renowned Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois / Lausanne University Hospital to create a research platform that will enable a network of centers to coordinate treatment schemes, foster the exchange of ideas between clinicians and biologists, provide cutting-edge translational and clinical research and promote individualized therapy of glioblastoma patients. The platform would also serve as a hub for boosting interactions at the international level.
The goal is to provide brain cancer patients access to the latest knowledge and developments, and to translate and validate the latest preclinical findings into the clinical setting.
Activities
Three projects will be launched and led by The Lukas Lundin Brain Tumor Research Centre, which works in partnership and is affiliated with the Department of Oncology and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences of the Lausanne University Hospital:
- Engineering T cell therapies: Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR T) cells can be used to boost the patient’s own immune system against the glioblastoma and holds great promise for patients. The goal is to design tailored CAR T cells against multiple glioblastoma antigens targeting the whole tumor cell population of the patient’s tumor.
- Disrupting the blood brain barrier (BBB) to treat brain tumors: the BBB protects the brain from toxic elements but also prevents potential drugs from penetrating the brain tissue. Finding ways to improve the diffusion of agents may improve the outcome of patients with brain tumors
- Launching a clinical trial platform: the aim of this infrastructure is to test new drugs in recurrent glioblastoma. Patient tumor specimen would be characterized and screened to determine drug alternatives. Patients considered for reoperation would be offered a targeted treatment agent shortly before repeat surgery and to be continued until further tumor progression.
Key Performance Indicators to be reached (KPIs)
- Launching the CAR-T cell & Blood brain barrier trials
- Recruitment and training of Fellows to support the research three projects
- Establishment of the clinical trial platform (biobank)
KBF CANADA is working with the Fondation CHUV on this project, a private, non-profit foundation of pure public utility that develops the community’s philanthropic commitment to provide support to the CHUV’s research, teaching and patient care missions.
How to support this project?
By credit card: At the top right of this page, indicate the amount you wish to donate, and make the donation online by credit card. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes by e-mail just a few minutes after making the donation. Simple and fast!
By cheque: Mail the cheque to the KBF Foundation CANADA, mention ‘Project G206 – Pushing the Boundaries of Innovation for Brain Tumor Research’ in the ‘For’ section and send it to: KBF Foundation CANADA, 1 Place Ville Marie, Suite 1670, MONTREAL, QC, H3B 2B6 – CANADA.
By Direct Deposit: Please email Mélina Zitiello at KBF CANADA for transfer instructions [email protected] or call +1 514.438.300.8122
All donations are eligible for a tax receipt in Canada.
The projects are managed with the greatest care and professionalism.