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- Posted Thursday December 8, 2011
First Genome Sequencing Clinical Trial for Triple Negative Cancer Points to New Treatments
Results Presented at 2011 CTRC-AACR-San Antonio Breast Cancer
Symposium
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Dec. 8, 2011 - Initial results from an ongoing
clinical trial, the first designed to examine the utility of
whole-genome sequencing for triple negative breast cancer, were
reported today during the CRTC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer
Symposium.
The results indicate activation of targets not previously
associated with triple negative disease and could point toward new
treatment strategies. Based on mutations uncovered by sequencing,
physicians recommended the women enter treatment protocols for
either existing drugs or new agents being evaluated in
pharma-sponsored clinical trials.
Triple negative breast tumors, which make up nearly 20 percent of
breast cancers, do not respond to treatment with targeted therapies
such as Herceptin® (trastuzumab).
Of eleven tumors sequenced to date, each was genomically unique,
but commonalities were observed. Some patients displayed
amplified genes in the RAS pathway; one patient had amplification
of the BRAF oncogene, as well as activation of a growth pathway
known as the MEK/AKT pathway. This patient displayed an impressive
response to a MEK/AKT inhibitor currently in a phase I clinical
study.
"Those results are quite striking considering that these are women
with advanced disease," said Joyce O'Shaughnessy, M.D., who
presented the data. "If MEK/AKT activation is found to be
present in a substantial fraction of triple negative patients,
inhibitors of this pathway could prove a significant tool in
fighting this disease."
Dr. O'Shaughnessy is medical director and co-chair of the Breast
Cancer Research Committee, US Oncology Research; a practicing
oncologist with Texas Oncology; and the Celebrating Women Chair of
Breast Cancer Research at Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer
Center.
"This is among the largest studies of a single tumor type in which
whole genome sequencing is being used to identify potential options
for targeted treatment," said John Carpten, Ph.D., director of the
Integrated Cancer Genomics Division at the Translational Genomics
Research Institute (TGen). "As the field of genomic medicine
matures, this study is sure to provide key early insights into how
sequencing can best be utilized in the clinic."
The study, titled "Next Generation Sequencing Reveals
Co-Activating Events in the MAPK and PI3K/AKT Pathways in
Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancers," is sponsored by the
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and US Oncology
Research with support from Life Technologies Corporation.
Whole-genome sequencing of tumors and normal tissue was performed
on Life Technologies' Applied Biosystems SOLiD™ platform, and
results were validated in a CLIA-certified laboratory.
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About Baylor Health Care System
Baylor Health Care System is a not-for-profit, faith-based
supporting organization providing services to a network of acute
care hospitals and related health care entities that provide
patient care, medical education, research and community service.
Baylor recorded more than 2.6 million patient encounters, $3.8
billion in total operating revenue, $4.4 billion in total assets
and $513.5 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2010.
Baylor's network of more than 300 access points includes 27
owned/operated/ ventured/affiliated hospitals, 23 joint ventured
ambulatory surgical centers, 50 satellite outpatient locations,
four senior centers and 156 HealthTexas Provider Network physician
clinics.
About Texas Oncology
Texas Oncology delivers high-quality cancer care with leading-edge
technology and advanced treatment and therapy options available to
help patients achieve "More breakthroughs. More victories."® in
their fights against cancer. Texas Oncology, a pioneer in
community-based cancer care, is an independent oncology practice
with sites of service throughout Texas and southeastern Oklahoma.
Texas Breast Specialists and Texas Urology Specialists, which focus
on all areas of breast and urologic care, are a part of Texas
Oncology.
Texas Oncology patients have the opportunity to take part in some
of the most promising clinical trials in the nation for a broad
range of cancers. Texas Oncology participates in innovative
clinical trials from Phase I through Phase IV through US Oncology
Research, which has helped to develop 43 FDA approved cancer
therapies.
Texas Oncology is united in healing with The US Oncology Network,
one of the nation's largest community-based cancer treatment and
research networks focused on advancing cancer care in America. As
an affiliate of The US Oncology Network, Texas Oncology is united
with more than 1,000 physicians and 10,000 cancer professionals
nationwide. The US Oncology Network is supported by McKesson
Specialty Health.
For more information, visit www.TexasOncology.com or call
1-888-864-I CAN (4226).