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- Posted Thursday August 20, 2015
TGen study finds genes associated with improved survival for pancreatic cancer patients
Use of non-invasive liquid biopsies could predict in which patients the cancer could recur following surgery
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Aug. 20, 2015 - A study by the
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen)
and other major research institutes, found a new set of genes that
can indicate improved survival after surgery for patients with
pancreatic cancer. The study also showed that detection of
circulating tumor DNA in the blood could provide an early
indication of tumor recurrence.
In conjunction with the Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) Pancreatic
Cancer Dream Team, the study was published in the prestigious
scientific journal Nature Communications.
Using whole-exome sequencing - looking at the DNA protein-coding
regions of 24 tumors - and targeted genomic analyses of 77 other
tumors, the study identified mutations in chromatin-regulating
genes MLL, MLL2, MLL3 and ARID1A in 20 percent of patients
associated with improved survival.
In addition, using a liquid biopsy analysis, the study found that
43 percent of pancreatic cancer patients had circulating tumor DNA
(ctDNA) in their bloodstream at the time of diagnosis.
Very importantly, the study also found that detection of ctDNA
following surgery predicts clinical relapse of the cancer and poor
outcomes for patients. In addition, using a liquid biopsy detected
the recurrence of cancer 6.5 months earlier than using CT
imaging.
"These observations provide predictors of outcomes in patients
with pancreatic cancer and have implications for detection of tumor
recurrence, and perhaps someday for early detection of the cancer,"
said Dr. Daniel D. Von Hoff, TGen Distinguished Professor and
Physician-In-Chief, Co-Director of TGen's SU2C Pancreatic Cancer
Dream Team, and Chief Scientific Officer at the Virginia G. Piper
Cancer Center Clinical Trials at HonorHealth (formerly Scottsdale
Healthcare). Dr. Von Hoff was one of the authors of the
study.
The pancreatic cancers analyzed in the study were stage II tumors
from patients who underwent potentially curative surgery. Only
15-20 percent of patients are candidates for tumor resection,
because pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect and usually is not
diagnosed until its late stages when surgery is no longer an
option. The 5-year survival rate for those diagnosed with
pancreatic cancer is less than 10 percent.
The study's results found that a significant number of early-stage
pancreatic cancers could be diagnosed non-invasively using liquid
biopsy blood analysis that focuses on a few specific genetic
alterations.
"We have identified MML genes as markers of improved prognosis for
patients with pancreatic cancer," Dr. Von Hoff said. "We have also
shown that ctDNA in the blood of pancreatic cancer patients may
provide a marker of earlier detection of recurrence of the
disease."
The study - Clinical implications of genomic alterations in
the tumor and circulation of pancreatic cancer patients - was
published July 7.
This analysis suggests that additional studies should "evaluate
more intensive therapies" for patients without MLL mutations or
with detectable ctDNA following surgical removal of their tumors,
as well as interventional clinical trials, the study said.
Other participants in this study included: Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and Memorial Sloan
Kettering Cancer Center.
Find out more about TGen pancreatic cancer research at: www.tgen.org/onemore.
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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]