TGen, Scottsdale Healthcare and Caris Dx clinical trial shows
molecular profiling can result in specific treatments for
individual patients that significantly limit the growth and spread
of tumors
PHOENIX, Ariz. - April 19, 2009 - Some cancer patients can
experience longer periods when their tumors do not progress under
treatments based on their individual genetic profiles, according to
a nationwide study by Phoenix-area healthcare organizations.
The study shows that molecular profiling of patients can identify
specific treatments for individuals, helping keep their cancer in
check for significantly longer periods, and in some cases even
shrinking tumors.
Study results were released at the 100th annual meeting of the
American Association for Cancer Research in Denver by Dr. Daniel
Von Hoff, Physician-In-Chief of the Phoenix-based Translational
Genomics Research Institute (TGen), and the study's Principal
Investigator.
The study included 66 patients at nine centers across the United
States, including Scottsdale Heathcare. Dr. Von Hoff also is the
Chief Scientific Officer of TGen Clinical Research Services (TCRS)
at Scottsdale Healthcare, a partnership between TGen and Scottsdale
Healthcare that is administered by the Scottsdale Clinical Research
Institute (SCRI) at Scottsdale Healthcare.
All of the patients had previously experienced growth of their
tumors while undergoing as many as two to six prior cancer
treatments, including conventional chemotherapy.
However, after molecular profiling identified precise targets, new
treatments were administered that resulted in patients experiencing
significant periods of time when there was no progression of their
cancer.
"This clinical trial was unique because patients acted as their own
control," said Dr. Von Hoff. "We compared each patient's
progression-free (periods), following treatment based on molecular
profiling, to how their tumors progressed under their prior
treatment regimens, before molecular profiling."
In a significant number of patients, the targeted treatments
provided significantly longer periods when tumors did not progress,
or even shrunk, said Dr. Von Hoff, who also is a Medical Director
of US Oncology and a former Director of the Arizona Cancer Center
at the University of Arizona.
Dr. Von Hoff said the new study was done in a way that avoided
issues surrounding tumor subtypes and differences in individual
biology, which have confounded other clinical trials.
He said this clinical trial demonstrated the value of personalized
medicine, in which treatments are prescribed based on an
individual's specific genetic makeup. The type of drugs, dosages,
their delivery and other treatment aspects - all are based on each
patient's individual medical needs.
Among the patients, 27 percent had breast cancer, 17 percent had
colorectal cancer, 8 percent had ovarian cancer and 48 percent had
cancers that were classified as miscellaneous.
Patients experienced varying levels of improvement. Among those
with breast cancer, the period when their tumors were
progression-free increased for 44 percent of patients; for
colorectal, 36 percent of patients; for ovarian, 20 percent of
patients; and for miscellaneous cancers the improvement was seen in
16 percent of patients.
"With this trial, we are showing the power of personalized medicine
using the tools we already have available to us. As these tools
become more precise and more effective, the value of personalized
medicine will increase," Dr. Von Hoff said.
The molecular profiling for this research study was performed by
Caris Diagnostics (Caris Dx) in Phoenix.
These results are the first in a series of studies in support of
Target Now™, a commercially-available oncology testing service
offered exclusively by Caris Dx. Target Now uses cutting-edge
molecular profiling techniques, including both DNA microarray and
immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, to provide individualized
information about a patient's tumor as an aid to the treating
oncologist.
"This trial is evidence of an important breakthrough in the
treatment of cancer. We are excited to work with Dr. Von Hoff and
TGen as we make this important molecular diagnostic information
available to physicians to aid in therapy-selection decision
making," said David D. Halbert, Chairman and CEO of Caris
Diagnostics. "The valuable information provided through the Target
Now panel of tests improves patient care while reducing costs for
the payer."
Clinical studies were conducted by TCRS at the Virginia G. Piper
Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center.
Scottsdale Healthcare is a primary clinical research site for
TGen.
"Patients in our community have access to ground-breaking,
world-class research right in their own backyard thanks to this
collaboration," said Tom Sadvary, president and CEO of Scottsdale
Healthcare. "Our goal is reducing the time it takes to get new
treatment discoveries from the research lab to the patient. We are
thrilled to see these advances in personalized medicine taking
place right here in Scottsdale."
The recent clinical study was dubbed the Bisgrove Trial, after
longtime Scottsdale Healthcare supporter Jerry Bisgrove. The trial
was funded through a $5 million grant from Mr. Bisgrove's Stardust
Foundation to the Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation. Mr. Bisgrove
has been a patient at Scottsdale Healthcare and is a member of the
Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees. In honor of the
Stardust gift, the research building at the Virginia G. Piper
Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center is named
the Debi and Jerry Bisgrove Research Pavilion.
"The Stardust Foundation is proud to have played a key role in the
advancements in cancer research represented by Dr. Von Hoff's
clinical trial. We believe we are closer than ever to finding a
cure for this devastating disease that affects so many millions,"
Mr. Bisgrove said.
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About Scottsdale Healthcare
Scottsdale Healthcare is a primary clinical research site for TGen.
TGen Clinical Research Services (TCRS) at Scottsdale Healthcare is
housed in the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale
Healthcare, located on the Scottsdale Healthcare Shea medical
campus. Scottsdale Healthcare is the not-for-profit parent
organization of the Scottsdale Healthcare Shea, Scottsdale
Healthcare Osborn and Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak
hospitals, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, Scottsdale Clinical
Research Institute, TGen Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale
Healthcare, Scottsdale Healthcare Home Health Services, Scottsdale
Healthcare Community Health Services, and Scottsdale Healthcare
Foundation. For additional information, visit www.shc.org.
About Scottsdale Clinical Research Institute (SCRI)
SCRI, established in 2005, provides infrastructure and support for
the clinical research at Scottsdale Healthcare. Start-up funding
for SCRI was provided by a lead gift of $4.5 million from the
Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust in 2005. An additional $5
million was provided by the Stardust Foundation to support this
multi-site molecular profiling study of targeted therapies for
treatment refractory cancers coordinated by SCRI. A defining
feature of SCRI is a focus on genomics and personalized medicine as
well as clinical and translational research. The basic science arm
of SCRI is provided by a partnership with the Translational
Genomics Research Institute (TGen). Innovations from TGen's
laboratory are taken to the bedside at SHC by our joint clinical
research program, TGen Clinical Research Services (TCRS) at
Scottsdale Healthcare. Additional research collaborations include
the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, other local
health care delivery systems and participation in the Arizona NIH
Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program initiative.
Areas of study at SCRI include Cancer, Cardiovascular, Trauma,
Metabolic and Nanomedicine.
Press Contact:
Keith Jones
Public Relations Director
Scottsdale Healthcare
480-882-4412
[email protected]
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About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a
non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking
research with life changing results. Research at TGen is focused on
helping patients with diseases such as cancer, neurological
disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the 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]
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About Caris Diagnostics
Caris Diagnostics (Caris Dx) is a leading provider of the highest
quality diagnostic, translational development and pharmaceutical
services encompassing anatomic pathology and molecular testing.
Caris Diagnostics provides world-class pathology services to
physicians who treat patients in the community setting. The company
provides academic-caliber medical consults through its
industry-leading team of subspecialty fellowship and expert-trained
pathologists in gastrointestinal and liver pathology,
dermatopathology and hematopathology. Caris Diagnostics provides
the highest levels of service to its customers and their patients
through its state-of-the-art laboratories; proprietary, advanced
clinical and technology solutions; and rigorous quality assurance
programs. Through the molecular testing expertise of the Caris
Molecular Profiling Institute (Caris MPI) at Caris Dx, the company
also offers advanced molecular analyses of patient samples through
prognostic testing services and genomic and proteomic profiling to
provide critical information to physicians treating cancer and
other complex diseases. In addition, Caris MPI supports
pharmaceutical companies and other researchers in their clinical
trials for targeted therapeutics with custom genomic and proteomic
analyses, analyte preservation, tissue procurement and
comprehensive reporting services. The company has strategic
relationships with the International Genomics Consortium, US
Oncology, the Translational Genomics Research Institute, and the
Biodesign Institute of Arizona State University. More than 2,000
physicians nationally use Caris Diagnostics. Formed in 1996, the
company is headquartered in Irving, Texas and operates four
laboratories: Irving, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona (2 sites); Newton,
Massachusetts. Additional information is available at
www.carisdx.com.
Press Contact:
Brian Wright
Caris Dx
(602) 358-8916
[email protected]