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VIDEO: Genomic profiling, identification of mutations, leads to therapeutic developments
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The genomic profiling of cancers, including colorectal cancer, has resulted in a “very exciting time in solid tumor oncology,” according to David H. Ilson, MD, PhD, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Ilson describes the identification of different mutations related to colorectal cancer and how that knowledge has affected treatment, such as the development of vascular endothelial growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor targeted agents.
“Certainly, even early on in colorectal cancer, it was clear that we had mutations that could be not only predictive, but prognostic,” said Ilson, a HemOnc Today editorial Board member.
Specifically, he discusses how the identification of RAS mutations is indicative of whether or not patients would respond to EGFR-targeted agents.
“It became clear, at least [with] the EGFR-targeted therapies, that we had a biomarker that could identify patients who would or would not benefit from these drugs,” Ilson said.