scholarly journals An evidence-based network approach to recommending targeted cancer therapies

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayaram Kancherla ◽  
Shruti Rao ◽  
Krithika Bhuvaneshwar ◽  
Rebecca B. Riggins ◽  
Robert A. Beckman ◽  
...  

AbstractIn this work, we introduce CDGnet, an evidence-based network approach for recommending targeted cancer therapies, available as a user-friendly informatics tool. Our approach can be used to expand the range of options of targeted therapies for cancer patients who undergo molecular profiling. It considers biological pathway information specifically by looking at downstream targets of oncogenes and is personalized for individual patients via the user-inputted molecular alterations and cancer type. CDGnet integrates disparate sources of knowledge and provides results in a number of easily-accessible and usable forms, while separating targeted cancer therapies into categories in an evidence-based manner.

2020 ◽  
pp. 71-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayaram Kancherla ◽  
Shruti Rao ◽  
Krithika Bhuvaneshwar ◽  
Rebecca B. Riggins ◽  
Robert A. Beckman ◽  
...  

PURPOSE In this work, we introduce CDGnet (Cancer-Drug-Gene Network), an evidence-based network approach for recommending targeted cancer therapies. CDGnet represents a user-friendly informatics tool that expands the range of targeted therapy options for patients with cancer who undergo molecular profiling by including the biologic context via pathway information. METHODS CDGnet considers biologic pathway information specifically by looking at targets or biomarkers downstream of oncogenes and is personalized for individual patients via user-inputted molecular alterations and cancer type. It integrates a number of different sources of knowledge: patient-specific inputs (molecular alterations and cancer type), US Food and Drug Administration–approved therapies and biomarkers (curated from DailyMed), pathways for specific cancer types (from Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes [KEGG]), gene-drug connections (from DrugBank), and oncogene information (from KEGG). We consider 4 different evidence-based categories for therapy recommendations. Our tool is delivered via an R/Shiny Web application. For the 2 categories that use pathway information, we include an interactive Sankey visualization built on top of d3.js that also provides links to PubChem. RESULTS We present a scenario for a patient who has estrogen receptor (ER)–positive breast cancer with FGFR1 amplification. Although many therapies exist for patients with ER-positive breast cancer, FGFR1 amplifications may confer resistance to such treatments. CDGnet provides therapy recommendations, including PIK3CA, MAPK, and RAF inhibitors, by considering targets or biomarkers downstream of FGFR1. CONCLUSION CDGnet provides results in a number of easily accessible and usable forms, separating targeted cancer therapies into categories in an evidence-based manner that incorporates biologic pathway information.


2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Vekov ◽  
R Koleva-Kolarova ◽  
S Aleksandrova-Yankulovska ◽  
N Veleva

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e23099-e23099
Author(s):  
Jean-Francois Laes ◽  
Francois Cesbron ◽  
Gregori Ghitti

e23099 Background: Advances in the molecular profiling of tumours, together with the expanding portfolio of targeted cancer therapies have established the terrain on which personalised cancer treatment can be conducted. This expanding area of precision medicine has the potential to be offered as a routine cancer-diagnostic service. Methods: We evaluated two molecular-profiling approaches : next-generation sequencing (NGS) and a group of several assays, termed Package Plus (PP), which have been primarily designed at identifying specific clinically-relevant alterations including protein expression/activation (by immunohistochemistry), and gene-promoter methylation, gene translocations and microsatellite instability (by PCR). The molecular profiling was conducted as diagnostic service for practising oncologists, who provided formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour samples (for NGS and PP) and blood samples for circulating tumour DNA (for NGS only). A subset of oncologists who received the molecular profiling results and treatment advice was then surveyed to assess whether and how the results affected their treatment plans. Results: 980 samples from 16 different cancer types were received, out of which 914 (93%) were of sufficient quality to be included in this study. Clinically-relevant (actionable) alterations that provided treatment advice were identified for the large majority (841/914; 92%) of patients using the combination of NGS and PP data, but only for a minority of (247/912; 27%) of patients using NGS data alone. Treatment advice was adhered to by the oncologist in the majority (60%) of surveyed cases, and in the cases where the advice was not followed, reasons most often cited were treatment unavailability or cost. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the utility of a precision-medicine service based on supervised tests (protein and RNA) in combination with NGS (DNA) profiling methods for advising oncologists on appropriate cancer-treatment plans.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. S22-S29
Author(s):  
Gillian O'Brien ◽  
Patricia White

Background: Lower limb cellulitis poses a significant burden for the Irish healthcare system. Accurate diagnosis is difficult, with a lack of validated evidence-based tools and treatment guidelines, and difficulties distinguishing cellulitis from its imitators. It has been suggested that around 30% of suspected lower limb cellulitis is misdiagnosed. An audit of 132 patients between May 2017 and May 2018 identified a pattern of misdiagnosis in approximately 34% of this cohort. Objective: The aim of this pilot project was to develop a streamlined service for those presenting to the emergency department with red legs/suspected cellulitis, through introduction of the ‘Red Leg RATED’ tool for clinicians. Method: The tool was developed and introduced to emergency department clinicians. Individuals (n=24) presenting with suspected cellulitis over 4 weeks in 2018 were invited to participate in data gathering. Finally, clinician questionnaire feedback regarding the tool was evaluated. Results: Fourteen participants consented, 6 female and 8 male with mean age of 65 years. The tool identified 50% (n=7) as having cellulitis, of those 57% (n=4) required admission, 43% (n=3) were discharged. The remainder who did not have cellulitis (n=7) were discharged. Before introduction of the tool, all would typically have been admitted to hospital for further assessment and management of suspected lower limb cellulitis. Overall, 72% (n=10) of patients who initially presented with suspected cellulitis were discharged, suggesting positive impact of the tool. Clinician feedback suggested all were satisfied with the tool and contents. Conclusion: The Red Leg RATED tool is user friendly and impacts positively on diagnosis treatment and discharge. Further evaluation is warranted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 175628482110244
Author(s):  
Vanessa Wookey ◽  
Axel Grothey

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer type in both men and women in the USA. Most patients with CRC are diagnosed as local or regional disease. However, the survival rate for those diagnosed with metastatic disease remains disappointing, despite multiple treatment options. Cancer therapies for patients with unresectable or metastatic CRC are increasingly being driven by particular biomarkers. The development of various immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized cancer therapy over the last decade by harnessing the immune system in the treatment of cancer, and the role of immunotherapy continues to expand and evolve. Pembrolizumab is an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 immune checkpoint inhibitor and has become an essential part of the standard of care in the treatment regimens for multiple cancer types. This paper reviews the increasing evidence supporting and defining the role of pembrolizumab in the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic CRC.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 723
Author(s):  
Valerie J. Carpenter ◽  
Tareq Saleh ◽  
David A. Gewirtz

Senolytics represent a group of mechanistically diverse drugs that can eliminate senescent cells, both in tumors and in several aging-related pathologies. Consequently, senolytic use has been proposed as a potential adjuvant approach to improve the response to senescence-inducing conventional and targeted cancer therapies. Despite the unequivocal promise of senolytics, issues of universality, selectivity, resistance, and toxicity remain to be further clarified. In this review, we attempt to summarize and analyze the current preclinical literature involving the use of senolytics in senescent tumor cell models, and to propose tenable solutions and future directions to improve the understanding and use of this novel class of drugs.


2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aruni S. Arachchige Don ◽  
X. F. Steven Zheng

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