News > Landmark approval advances personalized cancer care!

The immense progress in molecular biology has contributed in the development of new anticancer drugs, which target specific cellular targets and molecules. This has led to an important progress in cancer therapies, at this point mainly for breast cancers, large intestinal cancers, lung cancers, melanomas, multiple myelomas, leukemias and other neoplastic diseases. The genetic profile test specifically for each cancer type has resulted to the administration of targeted therapy for each specific disease.  

The historical decision from the US Food and Drug administration – FDA and CMS – Centers for Medicaid Services to approve an innovative test for genomic profile testing of each cancer type, for each individual patient, represents a major advancement in personalized cancer care. The use of this test will transform anticancer therapy.

This specific genomic profiling test can analyze hundreds of genes, which are related with each cancer type of the individual patient, in one analysis. It can be the solution from the test of the cancer cells to the recommended or suggested treatment solutions with the appropriate targeted medications or immunotherapies.

The test allows the doctor to plan the personalized therapeutic scheme specific for each tumor type of each patient, providing the best care, with the highest benefit and less possible drug-related toxicity. 

How it works

The doctor sends the tumor specimen to the lab for the isolation of DNA. The personal genomic profile of the tumor is identified. A group of genetic specialists analyze the data and correlates each tumor genomic profile with the available targeted medications or clinical trials.

Sources:

FDA Approves Foundation Medicine's FoundationOne CDx™, the First and Only Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Test for All Solid Tumors Incorporating Multiple Companion Diagnostics http://investors.foundationmedicine.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fda-approves-foundation-medicines-foundationone-cdxtm-first-and

Roche announces global availability of blood-based genomic profiling test, FoundationOne Liquid https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2018-09-24.htm