The Dwayne Andrews Glioblastoma Research Grant Awarded to Dr. Jeremy Brown, Dalhousie University
'Clinical Testing of a High-Resolution Ultrasound Endoscope for Guiding Brain Tumour Resection.'
This innovative initiative aims to improve surgical outcomes for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), one of the most aggressive and fatal brain cancers.
GBM carries a one-year survival rate of just 25%, and surgical resection remains the primary standard of care. Studies have consistently shown that more accurate tumour removal during surgery is associated with longer patient survival. However, imaging technologies currently available to guide surgeons during operations are limited in both precision and practicality.
To address this critical need, Dr. Brown's team has developed a miniature, pencil-sized ultrasound imaging probe capable of visualizing tumour tissue in real time during surgery. This device is distinguished not only by its compact size but also by its exceptionally high resolution, allowing it to detect tumour margins with remarkable accuracy. The project will clinically test the performance of this new technology by evaluating its ability to enhance tumour resection during brain surgery.
'Our goal is to make precision ultrasound imaging during neurosurgery a clinical standard. By increasing the accuracy of brain tumour resection, we can extended survival and improve quality of life for those battling glioblastoma,'
says Dr. Brown.
'This generous funding from Brain Cancer Canada represents a crucial step forward in our mission to significantly improve outcomes for patients facing this aggressive form of brain cancer.'
The Dwayne Andrews Glioblastoma Research Grant has been made possible through the generous support of the Auto|One Group and The Andrews Family.
Kevin Andrews, President & CEO of Auto|One Group, experienced the loss of his brother Dwayne Andrews to Glioblastoma in 2020, less than two years after his diagnosis.
'It is both a personal honour and a privilege on behalf of Auto|One Group to partner with BCC in supporting cutting-edge brain cancer research in memory of my brother,'
says Kevin
. 'Dwayne's strength and spirit continue to inspire me every day. Collaborating with Dr. Brown at Dalhousie University, our family's alma mater, holds deep meaning for us. This vital research represents hope and is paving the way for innovative treatment options for families impacted by this devastating disease: Everyone deserves the chance for survival — a chance my brother never had.'
This announcement is part of a series of six grants announced during Brain Cancer Awareness Month. Brain Cancer Canada remains committed to driving forward innovative solutions and pursuing hope for those affected by brain cancer by investing in critically needed research.
About Brain Cancer Canada
Brain Cancer Canada is a national charity dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by primary malignant brain tumors by funding research, advocating for effective treatment options, and investing in neurosurgical technologies. Since 2015, Brain Cancer Canada has directed more than 2.4 million dollars to brain cancer research, to 25 projects at nine institutions, research centres, and hospitals across Canada.
More Information
For more detail about this and other research initiatives supported by Brain Cancer Canada, please visit
www.braincancercanada.ca
Media Contact:
angela@braincancercanada.ca
1-855-375-1381
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Last month, the FDA recommended that the Justice Department classify 7-OH, one of the two main chemical compounds found in kratom, as an illicit substance due to its potency — a move that would restrict or prohibit access to 7-OH products. 7-OH is naturally occurring in kratom, but synthetic versions of the compound are also sold, usually in highly concentrated stand-alone forms. The FDA was focused on these synthetic, highly concentrated forms of 7-OH, not plant-based kratom. Feel Free contains plant-based kratom, not synthetic 7-OH, Botanic Tonics said in a statement. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said 7-OH should be classified as a Schedule I substance alongside drugs like heroin, ecstasy and marijuana, meaning it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. In 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration said it planned to classify the compounds in kratom, including 7-OH, as Schedule I drugs. It dropped those efforts after significant pushback from kratom advocates. Levy, the addiction medicine expert, said that compared to kratom, 7-OH is a 'much more powerful opioid,' and products sold as '7-OH' are almost completely artificial. Marc Swogger, an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, said kratom tends not to be addictive when taken in low doses, but that people may develop a tolerance and need to take more to feel the same effects. When people stop taking kratom, some may experience withdrawal. Is Feel Free safe? Feel Free comes in 2-ounce bottles, but a serving size is half of that. The label says that people should not drink more than 2 ounces within 24 hours. The label also warns that the product can become habit-forming and recommends that people who have a history of substance abuse consider not consuming the product. A recovering addict's brain can heal but never fully returns back to normal, Levy said, comparing it to someone in remission from cancer. A small bit of irritation, like a Feel Free drink, can trigger addiction to come back. 'You're playing with fire,' Levy said. 'As an addiction medicine doctor, I would never suggest that somebody consume that [Feel Free] that's in recovery.' (He added he also wouldn't recommend it to anyone in general because it's not regulated.) Mac Haddow, a senior fellow in public policy for the American Kratom Association, said, 'We're concerned about any product that has an addiction liability that is classified as causing serious adverse events.' 'We strongly support very tough regulations on kratom products,' he added. 'We are aware of the reports that people in the Feel Free space are reporting about addiction, as we have people in the kratom space.' Utah has banned the sale of Feel Free products. 'State law prohibits the sale of any kratom product that is mixed with other ingredients in a way that alters its quality or strength to the extent that it could be harmful to consumers,' said Caroline Hargraves, the public information officer for Utah's Department of Agriculture and Food. After trying to quit Feel Free multiple times, John began sharing videos of his intense withdrawal symptoms on TikTok. These included intense body tremors, sweating, difficulty breathing and foaming from the mouth, he said. In February, John's withdrawal was so bad that he was hospitalized. He said the only other drug in his system was marijuana. He was placed on a ventilator and later developed pneumonia, according to notes from the hospital staff when he was admitted that were reviewed by NBC News. 'They thought I was going to die,' John said. John said he posted his videos because 'I just want to try to help people and make a difference.' Brown, who posted the TikTok talking about his experience at the gas station, said he is a former drinker. 'Addiction is something that affects a lot of people,' he said. 'If [Feel Free] is something that's just so easily attainable and is marketed as, like, an alcohol-free substitute or like an energy drink, I think that it's pretty dangerous.'
