Genetic Testing To Guide Therapy
Uncontrolled cancer cell growth results from misbehaving genes. An intriguing approach to cancer therapy is to identify mutated genes which can then be targeted with specific therapies. In some cases, a treatment to counteract the damaging effects of that gene may have been developed for the treatment of some other type of cancer besides prostate cancer.
There are still many challenges to overcome in our attempts to use a genetically guided approach. However, now that we have the ready ability to identify malfunctioning genes by name. Fortunately, technology has been developed to analyze cancer DNA released into the bloodstream. These assays are now commercially available and include Guardant 360, Foundation 1 and Caris.
The fact that targeted therapy for specific mutations can be successful has been most notably validated by the discovery of PARP inhibitors, FDA-approved drugs that target the BRC A gene. Multiple studies testing PARP inhibitor medications, such as Olaparib, have shown good responses in men with this type of mutation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Scholz, MD is the Executive Director of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute. He is also the Medical Director of Prostate Oncology Specialists Inc. He received his medical degree from Creighton University in Omaha, NE. Dr. Scholz completed his Internal Medicine internship and Medical Oncology fellowship at University of Southern California Medical Center. He is co-author of Invasion of the Prostate Snatchers. He has authored over 20 scientific publications related to the treatment of prostate cancer.