Jerry Call

About Jerry Call

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So far Jerry Call has created 55 blog entries.

Genetic Markers of Progression in GISTs and Their Significance

Today there are four major methods of determining risk of recurrence after initial surgery. These methods are pretty good at identifying low-risk and highrisk tumors. However, there is a fairly large group that fall between low-risk and high-risk. Those with so-called “moderate” or “intermediate” risk tumors are faced with the decision of whether or not to take Gleevec. New guidelines exist that recommend taking Gleevec for at least three years, with many experts advocating longer periods for high-risk patients.

By |2018-06-07T15:02:23-04:00February 1st, 2012|News, Research|
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Pfizer to open clinical trial for young patients with GIST

A new phase I/II clinical trial will soon be opening for pediatric and young adults with GIST. This trial will be testing Sutent (sunitinib), the currently approved second-line treatment for GIST, in young patients. At the current time, the optimal dose for Sutent is not known for pediatric patients. This trial will help assess the safety and tolerability of Sutent in young patients.

By |2019-09-20T16:17:06-04:00December 1st, 2011|Clinical Trials, News, Pediatric GIST|
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Surgery and Genotyping Studies Highlighted at ASCO Conference

One of the highlights of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference was the session “Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Multimodal Approach.” George Demetri M.D. began the discussion with a review of the history and biology of GIST. Dr. Demetri reviewed the current status of GIST and brought up some new challenges ahead.

By |2019-09-26T15:56:05-04:00November 22nd, 2011|News|
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LRG to make its mark on Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS)

CTOS is an international group of physicians and scientists with primary interest in the tumors of connective tissues including sarcomas and GISTs. The goal of the society is to advance the care of patients with these tumors and to increase knowledge of all aspects of the biology of these tumors, including basic and clinical research.

By |2019-10-11T11:00:24-04:00October 1st, 2011|News|
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Case Study: challenges of long-term therapy in GIST

For 10 years Gleevec (at 600 mg) had been controlling his GIST, but Bob was struggling with the day-to-day side-effects of Gleevec. Most troubling were the muscle cramps, especially in the arms, that made it difficult to function effectively. Aching in the bones was also a problem; dealing with the side-effects of Gleevec had become a daily battle. Despite being treated at one of the best GIST centers in the country and despite taking supplements, such as calcium, the side-effects continued.

By |2019-10-11T11:14:12-04:00August 1st, 2011|Gleevec, News|
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Adjuvant Gleevec, Star of ASCO: What We Learned

Results of the Scandinavian Sarcoma Group (SSG 18) adjuvant imatinib (Gleevec/Glivec) trial in high risk GIST were presented on June 5, during the Plenary Session of the 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology conference (ASCO). The Plenary or “all members’ session” highlights “abstracts deemed to have the highest merit and greatest impact on oncology research and practice”.

By |2018-10-30T14:04:38-04:00August 1st, 2011|Gleevec, News|
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Mutational Testing & Survival: Where We Stand

Only six percent of GIST patients in the United States take advantage of testing that could be used to individualize their treatment according to a new article in the Annals of Oncology. Dr. Peter Pisters of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas and his colleagues reported results of the GIST reGISTry, a Novartis Pharmaceuticals-supported registry of 882 GIST patients in the United States.

By |2019-04-05T09:52:42-04:00June 1st, 2011|Mutational Testing, News, Survival Strategies|
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Breaking News Update: TDM renews plasma testing

On April 21, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter to Novartis criticizing its promotion of blood level testing on its CML and GIST Alliance websites. As of September 30, 2010, Novartis terminated the CML and GIST Alliance programs which it had contracted with TDM Pharmaceutical Research, LLC. Since then, the Life Raft Group has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to try and resume this critical testing procedure as it has important potential for managing GIST patient care.

By |2019-04-08T09:08:13-04:00April 1st, 2011|News|
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D842V Gets Its Moment in the Spotlight

The Gleevec for GIST story continues to remain one of the most successful stories in oncology. What could be better than a drug that works in 85 percent of patients? As great as this story is, there is room for improvement. Half of the patients on Gleevec for metastatic disease will progress in the first two years and 15 percent of patients are resistant to Gleevec right away or within the first six months of treatment. AROG Pharmaceuticals may have an option for a few of those patients.

By |2018-06-12T11:11:01-04:00February 1st, 2011|D842V, News, Patient Registry|
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The Life Raft Group
155 US Highway 46, Suite 202
Wayne, NJ 07470 USA

Phone 973-837-9092
Contact us by email

The Life Raft Group is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization (tax id: 82-0547746) providing support through information, education, and innovative research to patients with a rare cancer called GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor). View our 990 Form here

The information provided on the LRG site is designed to support, not to replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. Read our Privacy Policy

 

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The LRG website is dedicated in perpetuity to the memory of Mary S. Golnik.

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