Blog
A New Millennium in Pharmacology: From the Human Genome Project to Conquering "Undruggable" Cancer MutationsAccording to an analysis published in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, the 1702 approved drugs in clinical use today target 686 specific biomolecules. We explain this quarter century of transformation, from kinase inhibitors to antibody-drug conjugates and RNA therapies, and the role of the Molecular Tumor Board in choosing the right treatment from an ever-growing drug pool.Your Clinical Journey in Personalized Oncology: Examination, the Molecular Tumor Board and Our Treatment ProcessAt our clinic, the personalized oncology process moves through preparation before your appointment, the choice of the right CGP test and sample, discussion at the Molecular Tumor Board at least twice, and a written curation report. We explain every step of your treatment journey, from obtaining pathology blocks and liquid biopsy to in-depth analysis of the report and dynamic monitoring with PET and MRD.Second Opinion in Oncology: Steps to Guide You When Choosing Your Treatment TeamSeeking a second opinion is a natural and scientifically supported step in oncology; it usually eases anxiety by confirming the existing treatment and, in complex cases, optimizes the strategy. We explain how to assess the experience of centers and the criteria to weigh when choosing your treatment team: genomic infrastructure, scientific activity, innovative vision, side effect management and communication.Side Effect Management in Personalized Oncology: The Power of Genetic Guidance and Clinical ExperienceSmart drugs and immunotherapies are not free of side effects, but the character of those side effects is fundamentally different from chemotherapy. We explain the side effects that arise from the nature of the target, how pharmacogenomic analysis of genes such as CYP2D6, DPYD, UGT1A1, TPMT and HLA-B guides dosing decisions, and how we manage side effects by anticipating them rather than at the moment of crisis.A New Era in Cancer Treatment: From Conventional Clinical Trial Designs to N-of-One (Personalized) StrategiesWhile every tumor has its own genomic makeup, conventional clinical trials that compare entirely different patients fall short. The SHIVA02 study published in Cancer Research Communications compared each patient's treatment outcome with that patient's own previous result. We explain the PFS Ratio, the survival data from this 263-patient study, and why the timing of genomic testing is as critical as the treatment itself.A New Era in Cancer of Unknown Primary: Finding the Lost Origin and Guiding Treatment with Artificial Intelligence and Genomic MappingIn cancer of unknown primary (CUP), artificial intelligence, liquid biopsy and Comprehensive Genomic Profiling can now identify the tissue in which the tumor originated with high accuracy. We explain the data from the Phase II CUPISCO study comparing molecularly guided therapy with standard chemotherapy, why a combination approach may be more powerful than a single drug, and the role our Molecular Tumor Board plays in this process.Liquid Biopsy and MRD in Breast Cancer Follow-Up: Detecting a Not-Yet-Visible Recurrence in the Blood Months in AdvanceA SUCCESS-A analysis published in JCO Precision Oncology shows that a tissue-free MRD (ctDNA) blood test performed after treatment for early-stage breast cancer can signal metastatic recurrence an average of 7.9 months before imaging, with 99.6% specificity. We explain the study's findings, how they differ by subtype, and how we use MRD and liquid biopsy at our clinic.Comprehensive Genetic Mapping in Cancer Treatment: Beyond Narrow Panels and the Power of Molecular Team ExperienceThe Canada-based POWER study shows that when Comprehensive Genomic Profiling is used instead of narrow gene panels, new targets that change the treatment plan are found in 19% of patients. We explain why even a 161-gene panel is not enough, our Whole Exome and Whole Transcriptome approach, and the Molecular Tumor Board experience that turns this enormous molecular data into clinical benefit.Codes Hidden in the Blood: Personalized Treatment with Liquid Biopsy in Lung and Breast CancerA recent expert opinion paper from the European Society of Pathology sets out the transformative role of liquid biopsy (ctDNA) in oncology. From the rapid detection of targetable mutations in lung cancer to catching hidden resistance mutations such as ESR1 in breast cancer months before imaging shows anything, we explain our integrated strategy that combines tissue and blood analysis.A New Era in Cancer Treatment: Personalized Combinations Instead of a Single Smart DrugA recent article in Trends in Cancer shows that smart-drug treatments focused on a single genetic target have response rates stuck at 15-18%. Drawing on data from the I-PREDICT study, we explain why personalized combination treatments that target multiple weak points of cancer at once are becoming the future standard, and how our clinic's Comprehensive Genomic Profiling and Molecular Tumor Board make this possible.Strategies Against Resistance to Smart Drugs: Daraxonrasib, Liquid Biopsy and Personalized TreatmentResearch on Daraxonrasib, a next-generation molecule targeting RAS mutations, shows that new resistance mechanisms develop during treatment in 59% of patients. We explain how Liquid Biopsy and MRD tracking let us catch resistance mutations in the blood before they appear on imaging, and how our Molecular Tumor Board designs personalized combination treatments in response.The Next Step in Cancer Treatment: The Moderna mRNA Cancer Vaccine and the Importance of Genomic ProfilingThe promising data obtained in high-risk melanoma patients has put the mRNA-based personalized cancer vaccine (mRNA-4157/V940) on the oncology agenda. We explain how this still-investigational technology is designed, where the trials stand, and why Comprehensive Genomic Profiling is the first step of personalized treatment that is available today.Next-Generation Drug Technologies: What Are ADCs (Antibody-Drug Conjugates)? The "Guided" Era in CancerADC (Antibody-Drug Conjugate) technology delivers the power of chemotherapy straight to the cancer cell's address — "smart bombs." We explain how these guided missiles work, why they are not enough on their own, and share the real case in which our clinic overcame T-DXd resistance through genomic profiling.What Should Cancer Patients Eat? Scientific Facts and Personalized Nutrition ApproachesNutrition during cancer treatment must be personalized to the patient and their genetics. The risks of popular diets and unsupervised supplement use, the importance of muscle mass, and personalized nutrition approaches backed by scientific evidence.Two Patients, Same Diagnosis, Different Outcomes: Personalized Cancer Treatment with the Molecular Tumor BoardWhy do two patients with the same cancer type and stage respond differently to the same treatment? The answer lies in the tumor's DNA. How the Molecular Tumor Board and precision oncology let us chart a treatment route unique to your disease.How Should Cancer Be Defined and Classified, and How Should It Be Treated?The shift from organ-based classification to a molecular, personalized approach—a comprehensive look at why tumor-agnostic, biology-based cancer treatment marks a new era.Hyperthermia in Cancer Treatment: Most Frequently Asked Questions and AnswersWhat is hyperthermia, the treatment with heat? Does it harm healthy cells, and in which cancers is it effective? The most-asked questions about the fourth pillar of cancer treatment.What Is the Ketogenic Diet | What to Eat on a Keto Diet?The ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate eating plan in which the body produces ketones in the liver for energy. Its benefits, effects in cancer patients, and what can be eaten on it.The Clinical Benefit of Genomic Testing in Cancer TreatmentAdvanced genetic diagnostics open the door to personalized medicine in the prevention, early diagnosis and targeted treatment of cancer.
