X-Message-Number: 2409
From: 
Subject: CRYONICS Re brain tumor treatment
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 93 08:54:29 PDT

In msg #2407 - Friend has terminal brain cancer, Will Dye writes:

>     A friend of mine has just been diagnosed at the Mayo
>clinic (and again at a local clinic) with terminal cancer. 
>He has an inoperable brain tumor, . . . .

The previous night to this posting I happened to have read a 
*Discovery* magazine on brain tumors. See page 16 of the October '92 
issue.  The essence of the article (about some National Cancer 
Institue work) is that dividing brain cancer cells can be made to pick 
up and incorporate a gene from a herpes virus--which is pumped out by 
modified mouse cells injected right into the tumor.  The cancer cells 
(but not other brain cells) then make an enzyme which causes them to 
become sensitive to the antiviral ganciclovir which is subsequently 
administered.  The article stated the investigators were about to try 
this treatment on 20 humans after impressive results in rats. 

>     Any ideas, suggestions, news of recent experimental
>treatments, etc. would be appreciated.  I have not
>mentioned cryonics to him, but I hope to if I have the
>chance.  I'm still skeptical of cryonics, but I agree that
>the issue deserves proper scientific study, which it 
>doesn't seem to be getting from its critics.

Unless you know your friend has substantial financial resources, or 
enough preexisting insurance, it is probably not worth discussing 
cryonics with him.  Few of us can plunk down the money needed to fund 
a suspension without insurance, and by this point, he is certainly 
uninsurable.  Those of you who are thinking you would sign up for 
cryonics if you got in a jam, but have taken no steps, get at least 
50k of convertable term insurance and keep it in force. 

Keith Henson

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