A Louisville man facing one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, glioblastoma, is participating in a new clinical trial at Norton Cancer Institute-Brownsboro. Doctors hope this treatment, and the research behind it, could lead to better options and more hope for future glioblastoma patients.
A New Chapter for Richie Heil
After collapsing suddenly months ago, 55-year-old Richie Heil was diagnosed with glioblastoma, one of the most common and deadliest forms of brain cancer. Following surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, he is now trying an investigational immunotherapy as part of the clinical trial.
The standard part of the treatment includes using a medical device that transmits alternating electrical fields, which is thought to disrupt tumor growth. This is combining that treatment with immunotherapy, hoping that the two work together synergistically to create a better impact because we haven’t seen great responses to immunotherapy in glioblastoma previously.
For Heil, participating was never just about his own diagnosis. ‘It’s hard to say no to anything because even though I’m the one dealing with this, it’s not about me anymore. It’s about what can I do to help maybe somebody else not have to go through this,’ Heil said.
His doctors say that’s exactly how progress happens and cures are created, through patients willing to take part in research that could change the future of treatment.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
