RCSI research focuses on need to personalise treatment for bowel cancer patients
Drug development and the cost of treatments to health care funders also impacted by findings
Researchers in RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) have conducted further in-depth research to predict how patients with bowel (colorectal) cancer will respond effectively to chemotherapy, to ensure that patients will get the most suitable type of treatment from the outset. A large validation study was conducted to support initial findings with the latest research published in the Clinical Cancer Research and Gut (International Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology) journals.
Professor Jochen Prehn, Professor of Physiology & Director of the Centre for Systems Medicine at RCSI
The research focuses on the need to personalise cancer treatment programmes in order to kill cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue. This prediction tool, developed in RCSI, is a computerised model using insights obtained from research in the field to provide a fast method of determining the sensitivity of an individual patient’s cancer cells. It allows the patient to be assessed to see if chemotherapy will be of benefit before treatment starts, allowing for other treatment options to be utilised if the results show that no benefit will be received from chemotherapy. This not only allows the patient to receive more appropriate treatment at an earlier stage it also prevents any possible damage to healthy cells which could be caused by the chemotherapy and reduces other side effects.
Professor Jochen Prehn, Professor of Physiology & Director of the Centre for Systems Medicine at RCSI, said:
“The research has also shown that this type of testing may also work in other forms of cancer which is another exciting development.” concluded Professor Prehn.
In addition to patient benefit, there is potentially a major cost saving associated with this development for healthcare funders - patients who will not benefit from the chemotherapy, or certain types of chemotherapy, will not receive it resulting in significant healthcare savings.
The Dose Response Medical Outcome Model Predictor System, a patent protected technology developed in RCSI, can also be used by the pharmaceutical sector. Developing a new treatment can be a lengthy process costing billions. This test can be utilised to reduce the cost and time involved by allowing the drug makers to evaluate novel therapeutics at an early stage. RCSI is actively exploring partnerships with drug companies.
Director of Research and Innovation at RCSI, Professor Ray Stallings said:
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario