Computer simulations validate treatment targets for lung
cancer
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Oct. 7, 2009 - Using computer modeling, the
Translational Genomics Research Institute and Scottsdale Healthcare
have discovered lung cancer 'pathways' that could become targets
for new drugs, according to a scientific paper published online
today by the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
Dr. Glen Weiss, Director of Thoracic Oncology at TGen Clinical
Research Services (TCRS) at Scottsdale Healthcare, said the study
showed the value of conducting computer modeling, or "in silico"
research.
TCRS is a partnership of TGen and Scottsdale Healthcare. The
partnership allows molecular and genomic discoveries made by TGen
and others around the world to reach the patient bedside in the
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare as quickly
as possible through clinical trials with agents directed at
specific cancer targets.
Researchers hope that over time in silico research will help lower
health care costs while speeding up the process of turning
scientific discoveries into treatments for patients.
"There are pathways that you can identify just from an in silico
analysis. And we can use these types of tools to explore treatments
for patients, down the road,'' said Dr. Weiss, an Associate
Investigator in TGen's Cancer and Cell Biology Division and the
senior author of the paper, which will appear in print in JTO's
November edition.
The study sought to identify metabolic pathways - a series of
chemical reactions occurring within a cell - that could be targeted
by drugs in patients with both small-cell and large-cell lung
cancers. Small-cell lung cancer represents about 15 percent of all
lung cancers. The rest are classified as non-small cell lung
cancer, of which large-cell lung cancer represents about 10
percent.
The study used publicly available data sets, searching for
connections that may have been previously overlooked.
"Within those datasets, there are common pathways. We point out
some examples that provide some proof-of-principle from the in
silico search,'' said Dr. Weiss, who was joined in his research by
TGen's Dr. Chris Kingsley and by Dr. Anoor Paripati of the
Scottsdale Clinical Research Institute at Scottsdale
Healthcare.
As an example, the study cites one particular signaling pathway,
Wnt/-catenin, that could be targeted by two drugs, vorinostat and
dasatinib, both of which are under study in clinical trials.
"This is an exploration of the publicly available data sets in an
attempt to answer a new question. It shows that you can look at
pathways and identify targets. We did our validation by looking at
what's been tested, or what's available already,'' Dr. Weiss
said.
In silico research, which is far less costly than conducting
genetic profiling analysis of cancer tumors, will become more
common as the National Cancer Institute ramps up its cancer
Biomedical Informatics Grid, also known as caBIG.
Such in silico research should lead to targets for further
laboratory and clinical research, and also should help clinicians
provide more personalized treatment for patients, Dr. Weiss
said.
"There is going to be a wealth of profiling data out there in the
near future. You can then apply techniques like this, and hopefully
design smarter clinical trials to find the drugs that would work,''
Dr. Weiss said.
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About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based 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. TGen is affiliated
with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
For more information, please visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact"
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
*
About the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale
Healthcare
The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare
offers diagnosis, treatment, research, prevention and support in
its facilities at the Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center,
attracting patients from across Arizona and the U.S. Groundbreaking
cancer research is conducted through its Scottsdale Clinical
Research Institute and TGen Clinical Research Service. Scottsdale
Healthcare is the not-for-profit parent organization of the
Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center, Scottsdale Healthcare
Osborn Medical Center and Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak
Hospital, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, Scottsdale Clinical
Research Institute and Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation. For
additional information, please visit www.shc.org.
Press Contact:
Keith Jones, Director of Public Relations
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare
480-882-4412
[email protected]
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