SU2C-funded study is the first to evaluate treatment based on
molecular profiling of advanced pancreatic cancer
CHICAGO - April 3, 2012 - The feasibility of selecting treatment
based on individual molecular characteristics was demonstrated in a
first-of-its kind pancreatic cancer clinical trial reported today
by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and the
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare.
The findings were announced during the American Association for
Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2012, March 31-April 4, in
Chicago.
"The most important finding is that this approach is feasible and
we are encouraged by preliminary evidence that this approach may
benefit some patients," said Dr. Ramesh K. Ramanathan, Medical
Director of the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at
Scottsdale Healthcare, a partnership with TGen.
The completed phase II clinical trial: Therapy Selected by Tumor
Molecular Profiling in Patients with Previously Treated Metastatic
Pancreatic Cancer, is part of a Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C)
Pancreatic Cancer Dream Team consortium created in 2009.
Dr. Ramanathan said this is the first clinical study of pancreatic
cancer in which biopsies were done of the tumors and treatments
were based on the molecular profiling of pancreatic cancer
tumors.
The study showed that biopsies could be safely conducted, and that
multiple drug targets could be identified by IHC and DNA sequencing
(Caris Target Now®), CGH and microarray.
"Survival analysis is premature, but we believe some patients have
had benefit," Dr. Ramanathan said.
Forty-nine subjects were accrued between August 2010 and January
2012. Fourteen patients did not start protocol therapy either due
to insufficient tumor on biopsy or due to worsening cancer related
symptoms after biopsy. There were 35 evaluable patients.
In most patients - all of whom had prior chemotherapy - molecular
profiling at Caris resulted in two or more IHC targets for therapy
and a non-cross resistant regimen could be implemented.
The most common IHC targets were topoisomerase 1 or 2 and
Thymidylatesynthase. Only commercially available agents were
prescribed. Treatment recommendations were based primarily on IHC
markers. Common regimens/ agents recommended were FOLFIRI, FOLFOX,
irinotecan and doxorubicin.
Study has completed accrual. One patient treated with FOLFIRI is a
one-year survivor.
Genomic (CGH and microarray) assays and pathway analysis are
ongoing to understand response and molecular factors identified in
the cancer cells..
The study's abstract will be presented at an AACR Late-Breaking
Poster Session from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. today at Chicago's McCormick
Place convention center.
Collaborators on the study included: Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine; Cancer Research And Biostatistics, Seattle; and
the Spanish National Cancer Center, Madrid. The study used Caris
Target Now® for molecular profiling of markers by IHC and KRAS
mutational analysis by direct sequencing.
About the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale
Healthcare
The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare in
Scottsdale, Ariz. offers comprehensive cancer care and research
through Phase I clinical trials, diagnosis, treatment, prevention
and support services in collaboration with leading scientific
researchers and community oncologists. Scottsdale Healthcare is the
nonprofit parent organization of the Virginia G. Piper Cancer
Center at Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale Healthcare Research
Institute, Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center, Scottsdale
Healthcare Shea Medical Center and Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson
Peak Hospital. For more information, visit www.shc.org.
Press Contact:
Jamie Houston
Public Relations Coordinator
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center
480-323-1387
[email protected]