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Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center To Genetically Profile All Patient Tumors
Posted by Paul Cacciatore on March 14, 2009
“The Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center has recently opened a new Translational Research Laboratory that will uncover the genetic codes and gene mutations from almost all of its cancer patients. … By embarking on such an ambitious approach, Cancer Center pathologists and oncologists hope to gather specific information about tumor properties that will lead to targeted therapies and better personalized treatments. Mass General will be the first and only cancer center to conduct molecular profiling of positive biopsies and tumors from all patients as part of basic patient care. …”
“Genetic profiling
09/Mar/2009
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center Opens Molecular Pathology Lab to Genetically Profile All Patient Tumors
The Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center has recently opened a new Translational Research Laboratory that will uncover the genetic codes and gene mutations from almost all of its cancer patients. Previously only a sampling of patients had their tumors analyzed in such a comprehensive fashion.
By embarking on such an ambitious approach, Cancer Center pathologists and oncologists hope to gather specific information about tumor properties that will lead to targeted therapies and better personalized treatments. Mass General will be the first and only cancer center to conduct molecular profiling of positive biopsies and tumors from all patients as part of basic patient care.
Scientists and researchers have already identified over 110 genetic mutations responsible for causing tumor growth, many of which are involved in several different types of cancers. Codirectors of the Transplational Research Laboratory, Leif Ellisen, MD, PhD, and A. John Iafrate, MD, PhD, have equipped the lab with state-of-the-art robotic technology, which will make it possible to quickly genotype tumor specimens within a short period of time.
‘This new and improved classification of cancers that we are doing is intended to give our oncologists more information about a individual patient’s cancer, so they can treat it in a very specific way, thereby significantly increasing the odds of success,’ says Iafrate.
Several new cancer drugs that are currently available or in development are able to block some of the mutations and pathways that cause tumor cells to proliferate. By targeting tumor gene mutations with these smart drugs, doctors may be able to eradicate malignant cells without using traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, which have significant side effects.
The lab’s new tumor genotyping initiative should also expedite the time it takes to find the right drug for the right patient. According to Ellisen, ‘If we are able to identify a mutation in, say, a case of lung cancer, and we know that a particular drug has been successful in treating colon cancer patients with the same mutation, then we have good reason to believe that drug will work turning off the cancer-causing mutation in the lung cancer patient as well.’
The lab will start with the genotyping of Mass General’s lung cancer patients and phase in different disease groups over the next few weeks. It is anticipated that the profiling of all possible patient tumors will occur gradually over the coming months.
Learn more about research at the Cancer Center “
Cited Source: Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center opens molecular pathology lab to genetically profile all patient tumors, News, Massachusetts General Hospital, Mar. 9, 2009.
Update:
- Making Personalized Cancer Care Routine, In Depth, NCI Cancer Bulletin, Volume 6 / Number 11, National Cancer Institute, June 2, 2009 (noting that Massachusetts General Hospital & Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center are performing genetic profiling of all lung cancer tumors).
Rose Lopez said
My husband has pancreatic cancer stage 1V. Has there been any study done genetically on this type of cancer. Please let me know what number I can reach you as well as the doctor’s name specializing in pancreatic cancer.
The website will give you more info regarding the treatments he already had. To find this, kindly click on the menu button: timeline.
I am in urgent need.
Thanks,
Rose
Yong Yang said
Dear Dr Paul,
My name is Yong Yang and work at Cornell University. My sister in law and her brother they are both suffering with IV stage lung cancer in China. One of them is adenocarcinoma and another one is squamous. Both of them were received surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments.
Recently their cancer were spread to the bone (his) or liver (her). They are searching for targeted therapies and gene therapy. Is there any possibility that they can have a gene profile test for potential targeted therapy or gene therapy?
Could you please let me know if it is possibl for them.
Please let me know if you need more patient’s information.
Yong Yang
Thanks!
Yong Yang
Paul Cacciatore said
Hi Yong,
Thank you for your comment. First, I must point out that I am not a doctor, nor does Libby’s H*O*P*E*(tm) provide medical advice. Second, I am so sorry to hear about the dire health condition of your sister-in-law and brother. They are in our thoughts and prayers.
If you click on the title of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center to Genetically Profile All Patient Tumors weblog posting, you will discover that I answered this same question for Wei Wei. Simply scroll down all comments listed under this posting. Click here and you will be taken to my comment response postings regarding this subject.
I trust this information is helpful. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us again.
Best,
Paul
weiwei le said
Dear Dr. Paul,
I sent the my brother case briefly yesterday, but I have get your reply. I knew your are very busy. Could you please email me or reply this mail to me to see if my brother can get his DNA examined for potential targeted therapy and let me know if you have progressed to this phase of the testing/study. another you mentioned two email address I tried no of them is valid email address. I hope you can help me. Thank you! weiwei
Paul Cacciatore said
Dear Weiwei,
You should be aware that I am not a doctor. Also, Libby’s H*O*P*E* is not affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital. We simply report what we believe is relevant ovarian cancer and cancer-related news.
The information that we posted in earlier comments is the information that is publicly available. Click here to view the contact information (including direct dial telephone number) for Dr. Leif W. Ellisen M.D., Ph.D. You did not indicate that you attempted to contact the hospital via telephone.
If you are unable to contact Dr. Ellisen, then contact the Adult Oncology Programs department at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. The phone number is 877-789-6100. If that does not work, simply go the Massachusetts General Hospital website and use the contact information posted. Click here to review visitor information. The general Mass. General Hospital phone number is 617-726-2000.
If you have any further problems, please let us know.
Best,
Paul
Paul Cacciatore said
Hi Weiwei,
I forgot to provide you with a hyperlink to the June 2, 2009 edition of the National Cancer Institute Cancer Bulletin. That issue of the bulletin contains an article entitled, Making Personalized Cancer Care Routine.
The article notes that Massachusetts General Hospital & Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) are genetically profiling patient lung cancer tumors. The doctor quoted in the article for MSKCC is Mark G. Kris, M.D., who is the Chief, Thoracic Oncology Service, MSKCC. If you click on Dr. Kris’ hyperlink, you will find his contact information. You may want to contact him as part of your due diligence on behalf of your brother.
I trust this information is helpful.
Best Regards,
Paul
weiwei le said
Dear Dr. Paul,
My name is weiwei Le and work at Morgan state university. I have a brother who 62 years old and lives in China who suffered lung cancer. He had removed whole left lobe almost 5 years ago on July 2004, the lump was about 3 cm and diagnosis was squamous cell cancer at left lung without any lymphomas transfers. He accepted some chemotherapy after surgery although without any transfers or metastasis at that time, but he didn’t finished the whole chemotherary treatment at first time, because too much side reactions. Unfortunately, the cancer recurred at the second year at his right lung on July 2005 and there was a lump around 2.0 cm. He can’t do further surgery and accepted radiation, Gamma knife treatment plus chemotherapy (Alimta). after that He recurred again and got traditional radiation, chemotherapy again. He is still cough, but not too hard and general condition is fine and still work. He saw new on China TV last week in that you used gene therapy cured female patient who was late stage lung cancer with her pictures. He is very exciting and want to come here to accept your treatment. Could you please let me know if it is possible! Thank you very much! weiwei le
Varinia Paige said
I have Stage IV Ovarian cancer, and would like to have my DNA examined for potential targeted therapy. Could you please contact me and let me know if you have progressed to this phase of the testing/study. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Varinia
Paul Cacciatore said
Varinia,
In response to your question, I would contact the Adult Oncology Programs department at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. The phone number is 877-789-6100 and the email address is mghcancercenter@partners.org. The Mass. General press release indicates that they will start with lung cancer tumors and proceed to other tumor types over the next several weeks. If the individuals in that department cannot answer your questions, you can contact Leif W. Ellisen, M.D., Ph.D. directly via email. Dr. Ellisen’s email address is ellisen@helix.mgh.harvard.edu. I do not have Dr. Ellisen’s telephone number.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Best,
Paul
Geraldine Merrill said
Currently I’m being treated for stage 4 ER breast cancer. Is
there anyway possible that I might be considered for genetic fingerprinting of tumors..Please notify me at your earliest
convenience. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Geraldine Merrill
Paul Cacciatore said
Geraldine,
In response to your question, I would contact the Adult Oncology Programs department at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. The phone number is 877-789-6100 and the email address is mghcancercenter@partners.org. The Mass. General press release indicates that they will start with lung cancer tumors and proceed to other tumor types over the next several weeks. If the individuals in that department cannot answer your questions, you can contact Leif W. Ellisen, M.D., Ph.D. directly via email. Dr. Ellisen’s email address is ellisen@helix.mgh.harvard.edu. I do not have Dr. Ellisen’s telephone number.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me. My thoughts and prayers are with you as my mother is also a Stage IV breast cancer survivor.
Best Regards,
Paul