SAN ANTONIO – A YouTube search for Mark Guerra will reveal that he and his band, Breaking Boundryz, have a lot to offer the world of alternative music. But four years ago, while he was a senior at South San High School, Guerra got a diagnosis that should have silenced him.
"The headaches were getting worse, and walking down the hallways I was having bouts of dizziness,” Guerra said.
Doctors found brain tumor, and Guerra was immediately put into chemotherapy and radiation. His brain tumor went into remission up until about a year ago when another one was found about the size of a pinky fingernail. That’s when Guerra went to the Cancer Therapy and Research Center for treatment as an adult.
"During my last appointment with Dr. Brenner, he told me my tumor has shrunken by 37 percent," Guerra proudly announced.
The change in size is part of Guerra’s unique clinical trial, which falls in the category of gene therapy but uses a viral approach.
Dr. Andrew Brenner, a University Hospital Neuro-Oncologist and UT associate professor, serves a Chief Investigator at CTRC.
“Just like a virus that you or I would get that causes our noses to start running, we instead are having a virus’ DNA that has a specific set that causes a group of blood vessels to basically commit suicide if they are near the tumor. So it basically deprives the tumor of blood flow,” Brenner said, explaining how VB-111 works. It’s a globe study in phase three at 50 cancer centers in the world.
"From all this, I have learned that my faith has gotten real strong, and if it wanted to take me, it would have taken me the first time. There's no reason to be worried. If it's going to be this, let's fight it and be strong before it gets me," Guerra said.
Guerra said he’s planning for the future, looking for a new drummer in his band and studying music at UTSA. He’s supporting the Head for the Cure 5K that’s happening on Saturday.
The 5K was brought to San Antonio after the death of KSAT news director Jim Boyle. It raises money for brain cancer research. To sign up, visit http://www.ksat.com/health/sign-up-for-head-for-the-cure.