Envita’s treatment has gotten some attention recently from the parents of children with a particular type of brain tumor, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG.

DIPG is inoperable due to its diffuse nature and location, which is inside the brainstem. Most of the time, even a biopsy is not possible, DIPG’s are typically diagnosed by MRI and imaging studies.

There is no cure for DIPG, and survival beyond 14 months is rare. New and better treatments for DIPG are urgently needed.

The most commonly used conventional treatment is radiation, which can increase survival time but does not improve the prognosis.

Currently available clinical trials include the use of radiosensitizing agents along with radiation, immunotherapy, and various phase I trials using different chemotherapeutic agents.

With no orthodox treatments available that are effective against DIPG, parents are desperately seeking anything that has a chance of making a difference in their child’s length and quality of life.

More information:

• Childhood Brainstem Glioma Treatment (PDQ)
• Brain Stem Glioma (St. Jude)
• Katherine E. Warren, MD
• Cedars Sinai scan review program
• St. Jude Brain Tumor contact information
• Open Clinical Trials for DIPG