THGPP Episode 1: Jessica Morris- Using the herpes virus to fight brain cancer

The Human Guinea Pig Project

Episode 1: Jessica Morris.
Jessica Morris is a strategic communications consultant and founder of OurBrainbank, a ground-breaking movement designed by, with and for people with glioblastoma (GBM), after being diagnosed with the disease herself in January 2016.
She is a vocal patient advocate for exploring new options to treat GBM and has recently taken part in a phase 1 trial using the herpes simplex virus to treat recurrence of her disease.
In this episode we discuss virotherapy, clinical trials, and how the Ourbrainbank initiative can benefit patients.
Time-Stamps:

2.08 GBM diagnosis

3.09 Aim following diagnosis. Staying alive and enjoying life, coming up to 4thyear.

3.38 Background, insights on GBM and pathology.

5.05 Strategy to tackle the disease

5.45 Adding Nivolamab (Opdivo)- a checkpoint inhibitor form of immunotherapy alongside the ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, and the Optune device.

6.50 Interaction between the Optune device and immunotherapy

7.09 Recurrence and surgery

7.50 Plan of action following recurrence

8.23 Clinical trials in the U.S.

9.09 Being part of an ‘N of 1’ clinical trial.

10.37 Ourbrainbank

10.52 Virotherapy- Being a candidate for the polio virus trial for GBM and how it works

12.16 Insights on the clinical trial framework and eligibility for the herpes virus trial

12.35 Being a part of the herpes virus trial (as a phase 1 trial) and how it works

13.34 Herpes virus trial- Experiences having the procedure

15.23 Herpes virus trial- How did it feel when the adapted virus was being administered via the catheter?

15.49 Symptoms of trial- indication of how long spells of fatigue are expected

17.01 What was the exclusion criteria for the herpes trial? The clinical trial model and the Karnofsky score

19.43 Polio and herpes virus vaccinations. Vaccination before virotherapy trials?

21.07 Personalised medicine vs one size fits all virotherapy trials

22.18 Were you given any guidelines or recommendation on lifestyle factors that could compliment the treatment and further boost your immune system? Ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting. Oncologist response.

24.30 Ourbrainbank- why was it set up? A more patient centred approach with psychological support and second opinions.

25.30 advocating for second opinions

26.26 How do you feel about patient awareness and access of clinical trials

28.30 Ourbrainbank and clinical trials

29.11 Ourbrainbank event in London, repurposed drugs and experimental treatments away from the standard of care. Compassionate use programmes.

30.12 Ourbrainbank launch and app

33.03 more information about the app.

34.37 How do you see the future in terms of your endeavours and what do you see the most potential in?

37.54 Have you heard about any other patient experiences on the herpes virus trial?

39.42 MRI monitoring following virotherapy- effects of initial inflammatory response on tumour?

41.28 Perspectives on having a ‘terminal’ diagnosis.- views on cancer terminology

42.50 How do you deal with apprehension and the mental side of dealing with the disease?

45.55 App.- Looking at symptoms. Reactions from clinicians?

50.33 Are you able to compliment these forms of documenting symptoms with wearables? Surprising highlight 53.03

53.03 Availability of the app and how to find it- share 53.43

54.48 Final words and advice to other patients