David Curtis Glebe

In the summer of 2013, Dr. David Curtis Glebe was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer, the same rare cancer that took the life of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs. After undergoing an aggressive regimen of oral chemotherapy for over two years, resulting in a remarkable 90% decrease in his tumor burden, Dr. Glebe’s cancer appeared to be under control.

 

Unfortunately, the period of stability did not last. During the fall of 2016, testing revealed that all of Dr. Glebe’s tumor mass had returned, and was progressing “out of control.”

 

Dr. Glebe’s specialists decided that he should immediately undergo four treatments of a special radiation therapy, called PRRT. Because this procedure was not FDA-approved, Dr. Glebe was forced to travel to Switzerland for his first treatment, which used a powerful radio-isotope. However, his subsequent treatments — using a weaker isotope — were available in Houston under the Texas “Right to Try” Act. Dr. Glebe proceeded to complete his PRRT treatments in Houston, and has shown a positive response.

Given the “out of control” nature of his pancreatic cancer less than one year ago, Dr. Glebe credits the PRRT treatments made possible by Texas’ “Right to Try” law with saving his life.

 

To read his full story, please click here.