Posted on Saturday, 25th September 2010 by Brooke Richmond
Tim Eimer is a father, outdoor enthusiast, science teacher, and cancer patient, living on borrowed time.
“I started praying that I would have 15 more years, 15 years would get me through their childhood,” he said.
Tim has thyroid cancer. When caught early, most patients are treated successfully with surgery and radioactive iodine. But for one in four patients, it doesn’t work.
Dr. Marcia Brose is leading a study on a drug called Sorafenib. It’s part of a class of drugs geared to stop the spread or actually shrink tumors. In early studies it benefited 62-percent of patients.
“This wasn’t a subtle signal that this molecule was working in thyroid cancer. It was a home run,” said Dr. Brose.
After two months, Tim’s tumors shrank by one-third. He knows it may not save his life, but may extend it by years.
“This drug has given me opportunity. It’s really been a blessing. It may enable me to meet that goal, and raise my boys,” he said.
The drug has already received FDA approval for use in patients with an advanced type of kidney cancer and one form of liver cancer.
Thyroid cancer can be found in patients ranging from ages 20 and 80. It’s more aggressive in patients over 40.
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Tags: Cancer, Cancer Shows
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