Tumor Profiling
Precision Medicine at Hoag
Every patient’s cancer is unique. Understanding the genetic abnormalities or mutations in DNA sequencing of an individual patient’s tumor is the key to unlocking the treatment that will be most effective. Through Hoag’s Center for Applied Genomic Technologies, patients have access to comprehensive tumor profiling that can identify the changes in DNA, RNA, and protein expression in their cancer in order to provide doctors with the full picture. Armed with this information, Hoag’s oncologists can often select treatments that specifically target these changes.
How does Tumor Profiling Work?
A sample of the tumor is obtained through a biopsy and sent to a laboratory where it is tested for approximately 600 cancer-related genetic abnormalities using a DNA sequencing machine. Bioinformaticians then perform extensive analysis on large amounts of data gleaned from genomic analysis of the tumor. A detailed report is developed and shared with the patient’s physician team. The report could include information about relevant information on DNA, RNA, and protein expression changes identified in the patient’s tumor. This information could be used to select potential therapies that will target the abnormalities driving the growth of the patient’s cancer.
Hoag’s Center for Applied Genomic Technologies is committed to offer these advanced technologies to patients and partners with leading scientific laboratories that offer tumor profiling and germline testing.
Targeted Treatment
As researchers discover how genetic changes and mutations cause cancer, researchers also seek to develop new cancer drugs that target those specific changes. These are called targeted drugs, and offer the prospect of better efficacy and less toxic side-effects. Many targeted drugs have been approved by the FDA over the last several years. Other promising targeted therapies are currently being tested in clinical trials at Hoag. In some cases, drugs approved by the FDA for one type of cancer may target a genetic change observed in a different type of cancer and then can be applied as a targeted treatment.
Hoag’s medical oncologists are on the forefront of the use of targeted therapies in patient care. While many of these drugs are readily available, some targeted drugs currently being tested in clinical trials may be available through Hoag’s Cancer Research Program. See available trials.
Through collaborations with commercial and academic testing labs for precision medicine, Hoag has access to databases of thousands of tumor profiling and targeted treatment results from leading cancer centers and major academic research facilities, which can aid physician teams in selecting treatment for cancers with rare or uncommon genetic mutations.
Applied Genomics at Hoag
Hoag Family Cancer Institute continually works to provide the very best care for our patients. Hoag’s Center for Applied Genomic Technologies and its team of highly-regarded industry experts are a testament to that. No other hospital in Orange County provides this level of personalized cancer care.
Hoag’s Center for Applied Genomic Technologies team is here to support our oncology physicians and partners. If you are interested in access to this care, we encourage you to speak with your physician. If deemed appropriate, your oncologist, or referring physician, will work directly with Hoag’s Applied Genomics team to review your case and discuss next steps.