Tag Archive for: cancer

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.

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).

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)

Neuroendocrine Tumors

NETs encompass a heterogeneous group of tumours arising from amine-producing Neuroendocrine cells anywhere in the body. Unlike most other cancers that start in one place, NET can occur wherever there are Neuroendocrine cells in the body. Till date the treatment therapies are not well known for NET. Because of their rarity and lack of awareness, NETs are lower priority for medical #research, but NETs are not as rare as once thought and need #personalizedmedicine since no two patients are alike.

Kidney cancer rarely affects children. The most common one is Wilms’ tumor, also called nephroblastoma, that accounts for up to 95% of childhood kidney cancers, with most children being below the age of 5 years. It is a fast growing tumor that can spread (metastasize). It is usually treated by surgery, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Commonly used chemo drugs are doxorubicin, vincristine and actinomycin D. Overall survival rates tend to be high (>90%), with favourable histopathology diagnosis and timely treatment.

 

https://www.indiacancersurgerysite.com/wilms-tumor-treatment-india.html

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 30,000 children in India and 10 times that number worldwide develop cancer every year. There is a lack of awareness and timely diagnosis to treat them. Sapien will be sharing the Indian cancer data it has throughout September, starting with colorectal cancer.

Resources: https://www.worldchildcancer.org/, https://www.indiancancersociety.org/, https://www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk/, https://curechildhoodcancer.org/,