Sapien’s work for Hillstream BioPharma presented at AACR

Sapien biobank evaluates novel drug candidates and formulations for global biotech and pharma companies using our proprietary panel of live cells and 3Dcellculture derived from cancer surgeries tissues. These are also called patient-derived cells or PDCs. Assays using PDCs are very valuable before going to clinical trials. We are delighted that our work done with a novel formulation in triple negative breastcancer (TNBC) proliferation and stemcell viability was included for the presentation at AACR.

Landscape of Kinase gene fusions in cancers

Tyrosine kinases such as ALK, RET and ROS1 are often activated by translocations or chromosomal rearrangements that result in increased oncogenic activity and are attractive candidates for targeted therapy. In our #biobank, we have identified many patient samples harbouring ALK, RET and ROS1 rearrangements by NGS.

FDA approved drugs such as Crizotinib (Xalkori, #Pfizer), Ceritinib (Zykadia, #Novartis), and Alectinib (Alecensa, #Roche) that target the kinase activity of ALK; Pralsetinib (Gavreto, Roche) targeting RET fusions in NSCLC; Entrectinib (Rozlytrek, Roche) for ROS1+ metastatic NSCLCs, and novel drugs in #clinicaltrials offer promising therapeutic approaches for not just lung but also breast, colorectal and other solid tumours.

ALK targeted therapy for lung cancer: Integration of NGS genome profiling in management of ALK-mutated NSCLCs in India

The NGS genotyping of our NSCLC cases using ThermoFisher’s Oncomine panel identified 8 genetic variants in the ALK gene in 9 cases (16.67%), some of which, such as G1202R and S1206Y surprisingly confer resistance to #Crizotinib treatment, but demonstrate sensitivity to second-generation ALK inhibitors such as #Brigatinib and #Ceritinib, which are currently approved for the treatment of metastatic lung cancers (Sullivan I et al., Ther Adv Med Oncol 2016).

Integration of NGS genetic profiling of tumour samples could play a beneficial role in the management of ALK mutated NSCLCs in India by helping identify the best targeted therapy among Brigatinib, Ceritinib and Crizotinib upfront, based on the mutational profile.

https://www.alkpositive.org/

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/treating-non-small-cell/targeted-therapies.html

https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/symptoms-diagnosis/biomarker-testing/alk-lung-cancer

Building Genotype-Phenotype Correlation Data for Lung Cancer in India

Sapien is curating real world data for the lung cancer cases in the biobank. While 90-95% of our NSCLC samples are biopsies which are mostly exhausted in patient diagnosis and subsequent clinical #biomarker evaluation, the resection samples are being characterized genomically in Oncomine panel to correlate the demographic, diagnostic, treatment and outcomes data with genetic mutations.
The first of such 48 cases showed a very high number of SNVs (479), CNVs (5), Fusions (6) and indels (14). Highest number of mutations were observed in KEAP1 (43.2% of all mutations), followed by STK11 (31.5% of all mutations).

KRAS mutations in Breast cancer may be treatable

For decades, mutations in #KRAS have been known to cause cancers in multiple organs and the gene KRAS itself was considered ‘undruggable’. Of the many mutations, KRAS-G12C is known to occur in nearly 13% of #NSCLC cases. There were no known treatments that can target KRAS-G12C mutation until recently. May 2021 heralded the #fdaapproval of Sotorasib, granted to #amgen, for treatment of #lungcancer with the G12C mutation in KRAS. Exciting results showed a reduction in tumour burden in more than 37% of the trial participants. This paves the way for testing the efficacy of the drug in multiple other cancers harbouring this driver mutation.
Our data identified nearly 7.8% of breast cancer #FFPE samples bearing the KRAS-G12C mutation, bringing hope of this #drug to people with #breastcancer.

1st August – World Lung Cancer Day – Focusing on Treatment for Lung Cancer

In recognition of #WorldLungCancerDay, It is important for everyone to learn about the #riskfactors for Lung cancer along with the importance of #earlydiagnosis through #screening and timely treatment to decrease #mortality.

In cancer care, different types of doctors often work together to create a patient’s overall treatment plan that combines different types of treatments. This is called a multidisciplinary team.

There are 5 main treatment options : i) Surgery, ii) #Radiationtherapy, iii) #Chemotherapy, iv) Targeted therapy   v) #Immunotherapy

#Surgery includes #Lobectomy, Wedge resection, Segmentectomy, #Pneumonectomy.

#Chemotherapy is the use of #drugs to destroy cancer cells, usually by keeping the cancer cells from growing, dividing, and making more cells. It has been shown to improve both the length and quality of life for people with lung cancer of all stages. Targeted therapy is a #treatment that targets the cancer’s specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival. This type of treatment blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells and limits damage to healthy cells. Immunotherapy, also called biologic therapy, is designed to boost the body’s natural defenses to fight the cancer. It uses material made either by the body or in a laboratory to improve, target, or restore immune system function.

showcase of Prostate cancer inventory at Sapien

Prostate cancer is the most common gender specific cancer. Prostate is the second leading site of cancer among males in large Indian cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram, third leading site of cancer in cities like Bangalore and Mumbai. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and various state cancer registries, prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer among Indian males with an incidence rate of nine to 10 per 1,00,000 population, which is higher than Africa and other parts of Asia . Almost 75% of men diagnosed with prostatic cancer are 65 or older, but the tumors can be seen in younger adults and even in children and adolescents. Hence regular screening above the age of 60 must be done for the early signs. Early screening is the best possible way to prevent and to treat the cancer before it spreads. Screening is done by checking PSA levels, and/or MRI, Ultrasound or biopsy along with physical examination.

Pediatric gliomas

Individuals below the age of 18 years are susceptible to #pediatriccancer and so #pediatriccancerawareness is paramount. Many different treatment options are available including #radiotherapy, #chemotherapy, and surgery based on the type of #cancer and disease severity. Excellent follow up care both by family, #survivorship clinics and organizations such as Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, and others will restore a healthy life to those affected.

American Brain Tumor Association, 

Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation

International Brain Tumour Alliance

A Kids’ Brain Tumor Cure Foundation (PLGA Foundation)

National Brain Tumor Society

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

ABC2 (Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure)

Targeted therapy in Gliomas based on genetic screening ?

Mutations and mutation analysis in cancer are very useful for specific #therapies that target the #mutations and spare normal cells. #precisionmedicine, especially #precisiononcology is a well-established option for #cancertreatment. With novel therapies and #therapeutics being discovered with increasing frequency, the treatment options available for combating cancers are increasingly dependent on #genomicmedicine. With adequate #cancerawareness and #cancercare along with a helping hand, defeating this deadly disease has never looked more promising.

 

American Brain Tumor Association, 

Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation

International Brain Tumour Alliance

A Kids’ Brain Tumor Cure Foundation (PLGA Foundation)

National Brain Tumor Society

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

ABC2 (Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure)