Clinical Trials Offer Innovative Treatments for Brain Tumors

Five years ago, Mario Díaz Jr. was diagnosed with glioma, a brain tumor that is very difficult to treat.

“My life changed at that moment,” says Mario Díaz Jr., a 48-year-old finance professional and father. “I was very scared, but I stayed positive because I knew I needed to explore my options.”

Diaz’s search for advanced treatment options led him to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, the sole National Cancer Institute-designated center in South Florida.

“What we are doing is analyzing brain tumors in the lab to quickly translate them into more effective and less toxic treatments for our patients,” says Dr. Macarena de la Fuente, a neuro-oncologist and co-director of the Brain Tumor Institute at Sylvester.

“The Brain Tumor Institute was established with the mission of providing brain cancer patients with cutting-edge treatments that not only extend life but also improve quality of life,” says Dr. de la Fuente.

These innovative treatments have proven highly beneficial for patients like Diaz, who is currently participating in a clinical trial involving a medication soon to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Mario has a low-grade glioma, a type of tumor that is less aggressive than other gliomas, but over time they tend to progress and there is no curative or definitive treatment for them at the moment,” says Dr. de la Fuente.

After analyzing Diaz’s tumor in the lab, an IDH gene alteration was detected, qualifying him for an oral medication targeting this specific mutation. “The goal of the medication is to prevent or delay tumor growth,” Dr. de la Fuente says.

“At Sylvester, unlike other cancer centers, I was given the option of personalized treatment rather than the standard surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation,” says Diaz.

Diaz’s treatment began with surgery to remove as much of the glioma as possible. “This tumor is infiltrative, meaning it grows among normal brain cells, making it impossible to remove entirely through surgery. Surgery alone cannot cure gliomas,” says Dr. de la Fuente.

Dr. de la Fuente adds, “The clinical trial medication that Mario is receiving has enabled other patients to delay radiation or chemotherapy, which are typically more toxic and aggressive.”

Thanks to this innovative medication, Mario has been able to maintain a normal life with his family, travel, engage in sports, and progress in his demanding career.

“The medical team at Sylvester and the advancement of new treatments have given me the confidence to keep fighting,” says Diaz.

Article and video written and produced by Shirley Ravachi for Cuidando Su Salud (Caring for Your Health), a series of medical-related stories broadcast regularly on Telemundo 51. For more stories like this, visit the UHealth YouTube channel.

Tags: Advanced Cancer Treatments, Brain Cancer, Brain Tumor, Brain Tumor Institute, Cancer Research, Clinical Trials, FDA Approval, Glioma, IDH Gene Alteration, Innovative Treatments, Low-Grade Glioma, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center