Clinical trial could offer hope to some cancer patients

Clinical trial targets DNA mutations in patients' tumors

A clinical trial that could offer hope to cancer patients is available in metro Detroit.

The NCI-Match or Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice trial analyzes cancer tumors to see if they have genetic abnormalities for which a targeted drug exists and assigns treatment based on the abnormality, according to the National Cancer Institute. 

"Here's the idea, you might think a lung and breast cancer don't have much in common, and on the surface they may not, but inside the cells, the mutation that triggered the cancer may be the same and when that's the case, if you target the problem, the mutation, a treatment for one type of cancer might also work for the other because they have the same underlying dysfunction," said Local 4's Dr. Frank McGeorge.

Agencies participating in the trial include St Joseph Mercy Hospital Michigan Cancer Research Consortium and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, along with Wayne State University School of Medicine.

"Traditionally, chemotherapy has used a broad approach to fighting the spread of cancer cells," said Dr. Philip Stella, an oncologist and the principal investigator for the Michigan Cancer Research Consortium at St. Joseph Mercy Health System. "This study indicates the new direction in cancer treatment in which physicians are going beyond standard treatment to attack genetic mutations. This is a major game changer, and gives patients more options."

"We now understand the molecular basis for cancer," Stella said. "This match trial represents a significant advance and looking to see basically whether or not the mutations that are identified in cancers can be targeted with drugs."

The Karmanos Cancer Institute is participating in partnership with Wayne State University School of Medicine.  The Institute said it is one of the lead academic centers participating in the trial.

"Karmanos Cancer Institute is known for its extensive clinical trials and research programs," said Dr. Shields, M.D., Ph.D., associate center director, Clinical Sciences, and program leader for Molecular Imaging at Karmanos and Wayne State University School of Medicine. "Treating patients with targeted therapies looking at the molecular makeup of certain tumors is something we've been doing but we will now be able to take it to an even greater level with NCI MATCH Trial. With so many medical centers participating in this trial, it will provide a greater number of potential candidates with specific gene mutations to test novel therapies that could ultimately lead to finding improved treatment options for cancer patients."

Shields is the principal investigator of the NCI MATCH Trial at Karmanos.

Trial participants must be at lest 18 years of age, with advanced solid tumors or lymphomas that are no longer responding or never responded to treatment.

"In the very near future we may be saying lets test the cancer up front to see if it has these molecular abnormalities that we can target, we already do that is some types of cancer," said Stella.

According to St. Joseph Mercy Health System, tumors can have up to 200 different mutations and treating the cancer based on mutation instead of disease site might enable doctors to better target a treatment plan.

"Although we've made advancements over the past 20 years, for so many cancers we've only been able to extend someone's life a few months or a year," said Stella. "If this works, we may be able to prolong survival much longer or turn a cancer diagnosis from a terminal condition to just a chronic condition."

For more information on the National Cancer Intsitute's NCI-Match trial, click here.

For more information including a list of current clinical trials at St. Joseph Mercy Health System, click here. Or, call the St. Joseph Mercy Health System Cancer Services hotline 734-712-HOPE (4673).

Karmanos Cancer institute has nearly 300 clinical trials underway at any given time. For a full list click here


About the Author:

Dr. McGeorge can be seen on Local 4 News helping Metro Detroiters with health concerns when he isn't helping save lives in the emergency room at Henry Ford Hospital.