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- Posted Wednesday October 30, 2013
TGen-Scottsdale Healthcare research shows ability to do whole genome and whole transcriptome sequencing for patients with advanced cancers
Faster analysis of genetic variations should uncover new drug targets and pathways even as cancers mutate beyond initial therapies
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Oct. 30, 2013 - A
pilot study led by the Translational Genomics Research Institute
(TGen)
and the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare
shows that, even for patients with advanced and rapidly
transforming cancer, researchers can find potential therapeutic
targets using the latest advances in genomic sequencing.
Sequencing spells out, or decodes, the billions of letters of DNA
and other genomic data so that clinicians can discover what genetic
changes might lead to cancer.
Better optics and faster computers, which are the hallmarks of
today's Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), are leading to genomic
analysis that enables development of new drugs that target specific
genetic mutations. However, because patients' tumors often contain
multiple abnormalities, their cancer often progresses beyond
initial targeted therapies.
Researches showed that the most cutting-edge NGS - whole genome
sequencing (WGS), and even more advanced whole transcriptome
sequencing (WTS) - can reveal larger numbers of targets in an
individual's tumor, and that these "could be addressed using
specific therapeutic agents, and perhaps reduce the chance of
progression," according to the pilot study published today in the
scientific journal PLOS ONE.
The study - A Pilot Study Using Next Generation Sequencing in
Advanced Cancers: Feasibility and Challenges - reported results on
nine patients evaluated at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center
Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare, a partnership of
Scottsdale Healthcare and TGen.
"Patients with advanced cancer often exhaust treatment options.
Targeting a single abnormality is not sufficient to prevent
progression," said Dr. Glen Weiss, an Associate Professor in TGen's
Cancer and Cell Biology Division and the study's lead author.
"We demonstrate the feasibility of using NGS in advanced cancer
patients so that treatments for patients with progressing tumors
may be improved," said Dr. Weiss, who previously was affiliated
with Scottsdale Healthcare, and now is affiliated with Cancer
Treatment Centers of America Western Regional Medical Center in
Arizona.
For all nine patients, WGS was used to compare their germline DNA
from white blood cells (the DNA an individual is born with) to the
DNA from their tumor cells. For six of these patients, researchers
also used WTS to sequence their total RNA isolated from the tumor,
and compare that to total RNA from non-patient controls.
"Based on our findings, we found it was feasible to perform these
advanced NGS technologies for patients in a clinical trial
situation," said Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, TGen Distinguished Professor
and Physician In Chief; Chief Scientific Officer for the Virginia
G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials; and one of the senior
authors of the study.
In addition to identifying as many genomic changes as possible, a
secondary objective of this pilot study was to develop a workflow
process from tumor biopsy to treatment.
"This process must occur in a short enough timeframe in order for
patient to benefit from this additional information in developing a
treatment plan," the study said.
Some of the challenges include: NGS reporting delays,
communication of results to out-of-state participants and their
treating oncologists, and chain of custody handling from fresh
biopsy samples for CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement
Amendments) target validation.
The study also showed that WGS and WTS both have advantages, and
that newer technological strategies may capture the best of
both.
"With improved efficiencies that decrease the time to get NGS
results and at reasonable costs, we can envision how NGS might be
applied more globally to advanced cancer patients," said Dr. John
Carpten, TGen Deputy Director and also a senior author of the
study. "Even during the relatively short time that this study was
enrolling, we observed significant improvements in sequencing
analyses and lower costs."
The study was funded by the National Foundation for Cancer
Research (NFCR).
"We must be able to identify all causes of cancer. Working with
TGen, we are pursuing this goal at a level that is unmatched," said
NFCR President Franklin C. Salisbury Jr. "The world needs to know
that, through the use of 21st Century medicine, we are on our way
to conquering cancer."
The study is available at: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0076438.
# # #
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 treatment and
research through clinical trials, diagnosis, treatment, prevention
and support services in collaboration with leading scientific
researchers and community oncologists. 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 and related entities are part of the non-profit
Scottsdale Lincoln Health Network. For more information, visit www.shc.org.
Press Contact:
Jamie Grim
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare
480-323-1387
[email protected]
*
About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused
on helping patients with cancer, neurological disorders and
diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process
of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen
physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of
both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical
communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial
contribution to help our patients through efficiency and
effectiveness of the translational process. For more information,
visit:www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
*
About Cancer Treatment Centers of America
CTCA is a national network of hospitals focusing on complex and
advanced stage cancer. CTCA offers a comprehensive, fully
integrated approach to cancer treatment and serves patients from
all 50 states at facilities located in Atlanta, Chicago,
Philadelphia, Phoenix and Tulsa. Known for delivering the
Mother Standard® of care and Patient Empowerment Medicine®, CTCA
provides patients with information about cancer and their treatment
options so they can control their treatment decisions. For more
information about CTCA, go to www.cancercenter.com.
Press Contact:
Jennifer Vogel
Office: 623-207-3241
Cell: 480-599-0104
[email protected]