Brain tumors and CNS diseases can be very difficult to treat as most chemotherapy drugs cannot penetrate the blood-brain barrier, a natural defense mechanism that prevents substances in the bloodstream from getting into the brain. In addition, depending on the location of the tumor, surgery may not be possible. The 2017 Brain Tumor Biotech Summit examined some of the latest therapies aimed at conquering these challenges, including immunomodulatory therapies for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which uses the body's immune system to attack cancer cells, novel technologies to overcome the blood brain barrier to administer essential medications, and other innovative treatments for malignant glioma.

"Events like the Brain Tumor Biotech Summit inform medical professionals about new therapies on the horizon or currently being tested in the clinic, while also making those essential connections to spark new ideas and accelerate the development of novel therapies," said Marc Symons, PhD, co-director of the Feinstein Institute's Brain Tumor Biotech Center.

Along with discussing the latest therapies, attendees of the summit were given advice on best practices to maintain funding for research, and to start up and maintain a biotech company in the neuro-oncology space. This included a fireside chat with CNBC anchor Andrew Sorkin and a venture capital/investor panel led by biotech leader Franklin Berger.

About the Feinstein InstituteThe Feinstein Institute for Medical Research is the research arm of Northwell Health, the largest healthcare provider in New York. Home to 50 research laboratories and to clinical research throughout dozens of hospitals and outpatient facilities, the Feinstein includes 4,000 researchers and staff who are making breakthroughs in molecular medicine, genetics, oncology, brain research, mental health, autoimmunity, and bioelectronic medicine a new field of science that has the potential to revolutionize medicine. For more information about how we empower imagination and pioneer discovery, visit FeinsteinInstitute.org

Contact:Heather E. Ball 516-465-7917 hball@northwell.edu

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neuroscience-oncology-leaders-gather-to-advance-brain-tumor-research-at-feinstein-institutes-brain-tumor-biotech-summit-300471807.html

SOURCE Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

http://www.feinsteininstitute.org/

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Neuroscience, Oncology Leaders Gather to Advance Brain Tumor Research at Feinstein Institute's Brain Tumor Biotech ... - PR Newswire (press release)