Molecular Tumor Profiling
This test helps determine which chemo and/or treatment will work best at targeting your specific cancer cells.
So, what exactly is Tumor Molecular Profiling???
Every cancer cell has its own pattern of active genes and proteins. Molecular profiling tests for a variety of biomarkers in the DNA of a tissue sample to help better diagnose, stage and treat cancer on an individualized basis.
Not every oncologist offers this type of testing and individualized treatment, but it may be a test worth investigating. By choosing more effective drugs for your pancreatic cancer treatment, it may be possible to avoid unnecessary toxicity and to target the cancer cells as aggressively as possible from the start.
One example of tumor molecular profiling is the HER1 or the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor.
HER1(also called EGFR) is the protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide. It is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, so these cells may divide excessively in the presence of epidermal growth factor.
Using chemotherapy drugs and other treatments specifically tailored to lower the presence of EGFR in these patients should (in theory) make a significant and positive impact on their prognosis.
In Plain-Jane speak this tumor molecular profiling is a way to find the chink in pancreatic cancer's armor and take advantage of that weakness to stomp the cancer right on out.
As I said, this newer test is not widely available yet, but I did notice that the Cancer Center Treatments of America are beginning to use this test in mapping out an individualized treatment plan for their pancreatic cancer patients.
Praying that other oncology teams will soon begin to follow suit...
The sooner we can identify pancreatic cancer's weaknesses, the sooner we can begin a successful fight for a cure.
Journeying on in Hope, Always,
Jane
Not every oncologist offers this type of testing and individualized treatment, but it may be a test worth investigating. By choosing more effective drugs for your pancreatic cancer treatment, it may be possible to avoid unnecessary toxicity and to target the cancer cells as aggressively as possible from the start.
One example of tumor molecular profiling is the HER1 or the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor.
HER1(also called EGFR) is the protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide. It is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, so these cells may divide excessively in the presence of epidermal growth factor.
Using chemotherapy drugs and other treatments specifically tailored to lower the presence of EGFR in these patients should (in theory) make a significant and positive impact on their prognosis.
In Plain-Jane speak this tumor molecular profiling is a way to find the chink in pancreatic cancer's armor and take advantage of that weakness to stomp the cancer right on out.
As I said, this newer test is not widely available yet, but I did notice that the Cancer Center Treatments of America are beginning to use this test in mapping out an individualized treatment plan for their pancreatic cancer patients.
Praying that other oncology teams will soon begin to follow suit...
The sooner we can identify pancreatic cancer's weaknesses, the sooner we can begin a successful fight for a cure.
Journeying on in Hope, Always,
Jane
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