A STUDY released by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) has claimed cancer patients are able to survive longer under treatments based on their individual genetic profiles.
Researchers claim molecular profiling of patients can identify specific treatments applicable for specific individuals. This personalised therapy can help keep their cancer in check for significantly longer periods and in some cases, can even aid in shrinking the tumours.
The study conducted by TGen, saw 66 patients treated at nine centres across America. All patients had previously experienced growth of tumours while undergoing as many as two to six prior cancer treatments, including conventional chemotherapy.
The researchers claim after molecular profiling, precise targets were identifies and new treatments were able to be administered which resulted in patients experiencing significant periods where there was no progression of their cancer.
The study was conducted as to avoid issues surrounding tumour subtypes and differences in individual biology.
Among the patients, 27% had breast cancer, 17% had colorectal cancer, eight per cent had ovarian cancer and 48% had cancers that were classified as miscellaneous.
Patients experienced varying levels of improvement. Among those with breast cancer, the period of progression-free survival increased for 44% of patients; for colorectal, 36 % of patients; for ovarian, 20% of patients; and for miscellaneous cancers the improvement was seen in 16% of patients.
The researchers say the study results are the first in a serious in support of Target Now, a commercially-available oncology testing service offered by Caris Dx.
Target Now uses molecular profiling techniques including DNA microarray and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis providing individual information to aid the treating oncologist.
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