Blood Test Could Match and Monitor Cancer Patients and Treatment

Researchers have found that new generation sequencing (NGS) of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in blood plasma could help successfully pair cancer patients with the most suitable therapy and track tumor progression to assess treatment effectiveness.

Genetic monitoring of a patient’s tumor provides information on how the cancer is changing and whether it is becoming resistant to treatment. Researchers and clinicians from The Institute of Cancer Research (London, UK and The Royal Marsden Hospital (London, UK) examined genetic mutations in cfDNA extracted from 150 plasma samples from 39 patients, with late-stage cancer of known tumor mutation, who were participating in early-phase clinical trials of targeted drugs. Treatments targeted mainly the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway or MEK. This is the first study where a blood test has been used in this way during clinical trials of targeted drugs, showing that targeted-NGS of cfDNA has potential to simply and quickly monitor response to targeted therapy.

Tumor biopsies are generally taken only at the beginning of treatment, so information is unavailable about how tumor genetic makeup is changing in response to treatment. Blood-testing could provide real-time updates, as well as help doctors identify patients suitable for clinical trials of new drugs.

“Tumors and the gene faults that drive them are unique and constantly evolving. It’s crucial that we understand these changes so doctors can choose the best treatments for each patient,” said study leader Prof. Johann de Bono, from the Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden, “We need to do more research, but this approach could have a huge impact on how we make treatment decisions, also potentially making diagnosis and treatment quicker, cheaper, and less invasive.”

“Blood tests like these are the future of cancer treatment and this study proves that they can work in practice–helping us to diagnose, analyze, and monitor tumors more easily,” said Dr. Kat Arney, science information manager, Cancer Research UK (London, UK), “Thanks to research like this we’re developing new ways to shake the genetic foundations that underpin cancer and save more lives.”

The study, by Frenel et al., was published October 15, 2015, in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.

Related Links:
Institute of Cancer Research, London
The Royal Marsden Hospital
Cancer Research UK