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How Australian Doctor Treated Own Brain Cancer With Personal Research Studies

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An Australian medical doctor, Professor Richard Scolyer, said he has remained brain cancer-free for a year after undergoing a world-first treatment based on his own research.

The 57-year-old used his own pioneering studies on melanoma to treat his incurable stage 4 glioblastoma following his diagnosis in June 2023.

Scolyer disclosed this on Monday, via his X page, with an update about the experimental treatment alongside two images from a recent MRI scan.

“I had brain #MRI scan last Thursday looking for recurrent #glioblastoma (&/or treatment complications). I found out yesterday that there is still no sign of recurrence. I couldn’t be happier!!!!!,” wrote Scolyer.

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“Thank you to the fabulous team looking after me so well especially my wife Katie & wonderful family!” he added.

Scolyer’s diagnosis was revealed in June 2023 after he was taken ill while traveling for work in Poland. He then became the first brain cancer patient to undergo pre-surgery combination immunotherapy.

Speaking about the feat in an interview with BBC, Scolyer said, “To be honest, I was more nervous than I have been for any previous scan. I’m just thrilled and delighted… couldn’t be happier.”

Professor Scolyer is one of the country’s most respected medical minds, and was this year named Australian of the Year alongside his colleague and friend, Professor Georgina Long, in recognition of their life-changing work on melanoma.

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As co-directors of the Melanoma Institute Australia, over the past decade the pair’s research on immunotherapy, which uses the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells, has dramatically improved outcomes for advanced melanoma patients globally.

He is also the first to be administered a vaccine personalised to his tumour’s characteristics, which boosts the cancer-detecting powers of the drugs.

After a tough couple of months of treatment at the start of the year – spent dealing with epileptic seizures, liver issues and pneumonia – Prof Scolyer said he is feeling healthier.

“I’m the best I have felt for yonks,” he said, adding that he’s back to exercising every day – which for him often means a casual 15km (9.3 mile) jog.

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“It certainly doesn’t mean that my brain cancer is cured… but it’s just nice to know that it hasn’t come back yet, so I’ve still got some more time to enjoy my life with my wife Katie and my three wonderful kids.”

The results so far have generated huge excitement that the duo may be on the cusp of a discovery which could one day help the roughly 300,000 people diagnosed with brain cancer globally each year.

Prof Scolyer and Prof Long have previously said the odds of a cure are “minuscule”, but they hope the experimental treatment will prolong Prof Scolyer’s life and will soon translate into clinical trials for glioblastoma patients.

They currently have a scientific paper under review, which details results from the first weeks of Prof Scolyer’s treatment, but Prof Long stresses that they are still a long way off developing an approved and regulated course of treatment.

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“We’ve generated a whole heap of data, to then make a foundation for that next step, so that we can help more people,” she said.

“We’re not there yet. What we have to really focus on is showing that this pre-surgery, combination immunotherapy type of approach works in a large number of people.”

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Fear of impeachment: Kenya’s DP hospitalised-Lawyer

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The motion to impeach Gachagua will be debated on Tuesday next week, at which point the House will vote to either support or reject it.

Public participation for the impeachment motion against President William Ruto’s deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, is scheduled to take place across the 47 counties on Friday.

According to Capital News, this follows Speaker Moses Wetangula’s announcement that the House will adjourn from 12 pm to 2 pm on Wednesday to discuss the details of the public participation exercise.

The motion to impeach Gachagua will be debated on Tuesday next week, at which point the House will vote to either support or reject it.

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Wetangula has confirmed that Deputy President Gachagua can defend himself either personally or through legal counsel.

“It would be absurd for any motion to be concluded without public involvement. Court decisions have also emphasized this direction. Public participation is integral to such removals,” the Speaker stated.

To facilitate this process, the House will adjourn its sessions on Thursday afternoon, allowing lawmakers to engage with their constituents.

“The public participation will occur across the 47 counties, and the House will reconvene tomorrow to allow legal counsel to explain the modalities,” Wetangula added.

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The impeachment motion against Gachagua was formally introduced in Parliament by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, who has leveled over ten accusations against him, including constitutional breaches, corruption, and incitement.

Mutuse reported that he has gathered the support of 291 MPs, exceeding the required 117 signatures to meet the constitutional threshold for impeachment.

“I want to make it clear to this House and to Kenyans that I hold no malice or personal vendetta against the Deputy President. I am simply fulfilling my duty as a citizen and Member of Parliament,” Mutuse stated during the session.

The motion outlines nine charges against Gachagua, including gross constitutional violations and promoting ethnic discrimination, alongside undermining national unity through divisive public statements.

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Gachagua is also accused of undermining government policies and failing to uphold his duties as Deputy President regarding collective Cabinet responsibility. Mutuse, defending his position, claimed to have nine witnesses prepared to provide evidence for each charge.

“If the people can’t receive services because of Gachagua, we believe it’s necessary to remove him for the sake of Kenyans,” he asserted.

In addition to the constitutional violations, the motion alleges Gachagua engaged in corruption, money laundering, and abuse of office, thereby eroding public trust and contravening anti-corruption laws.

“Engaging in corruption and money laundering while in office undermines public trust and violates the law,” Mutuse concluded.

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Just in: Finally DNA test confirms death of Hamas leader

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Preliminary DNA results are confirming the death of Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar in an Israeli strike.

United States officials have confirmed the death of Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar following DNA test results, CNN has reported.

The test results were relayed to the White House by Israeli officials who according to the report are waiting for one final report to give a statement of confirmation on the death of Sinwar.

GWG.ng reports that Sinwar was reportedly killed during an accidental fire fight in Gaza. The Israeli fighters it was gathered did not act on intelligence as the encounter was simply an accident.

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The death of Sinwar is bound to echo throughout the Middle East given his role as the architect of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that led to the death of more than 1,200 Israelis.

It was gathered that while the killing of Sinwar has befuddled much of the people in Gaza, celebration is breaking out in Israel over the development as the people of the country rejoice over the fall of the man who organised the worst mass killing of Israelis since the Holocaust.

Meanwhile, GWG.ng reports US officials and other international stakeholders as saying that the killing of Sinwar could help rejuvenate the Middle East peace process given the fact that the late Hamas leader was seen as a major obstacle to regional peace.

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Ukraine alleges N’Korea is sending troops to Russia

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He was speaking days after visiting several European capitals to press his case for more military and financial help in the war against invading Russian forces.

“We see an increasing alliance between Russia and regimes like in North Korea,” Zelensky said in his evening address.

“It is no longer just about transferring weapons. It is actually about the transfer of people from North Korea to the occupier’s military forces.

“Obviously, in such circumstances, our relations with our partners need to be developed. The frontline needs more support,” he said.

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Zelensky completed a whirlwind two-day tour of European capitals last week including Berlin, London and Paris to ask for sustained military aid as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine grinds on through its third year.

“When we talk about more long-range capability for Ukraine and more decisive supplies for our forces, it is not just a list of military equipment,” Zelensky said.

“It is about increasing the pressure on the aggressor, which will be stronger for Russia than they can withstand. And it is about preventing a bigger war.”

AFP.

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