Presented at the European Congress of Oncology, the 1st trial which compares targeted therapies and standard treatments shows that the creation of a tumor genetic map is safe and feasible.
After the era of standard chemotherapies, cancerology has entered that of personalized medicine in recent years. Indeed, specialists are unanimous, each individual is unique and therefore each cancerous tumor also has specific features that must be taken into account. Especially since it seems that these personalized strategies for the management of cancer patients are safe and feasible in clinical practice. In any case, this is what the first results of the French SHIVA trial reveal, which aims to find an “à la carte treatment” for patients in treatment failure, based solely on the molecular profile of their tumor. . Results that will be presented by Dr Christophe Le Tourneau, who is leading this original study, at the European Cancer Congress which opens this Friday, September 27 in Amsterdam.
Listen to Dr Christophe Le Tourneau, oncologist at Institut Curie: ” In SHIVA, the tumor genetic map of patients in treatment failure is produced. Then a patient with throat cancer can receive targeted therapy for kidney cancer. “
Launched in October 2012, the SHIVA trial has already included more than 360 patients in seven French centers. Promoted and funded by the Institut Curie, this study therefore aims to demonstrate the value of targeted cancer management by prescribing treatment according to the biological profile and no longer according to the location of the cancer on a particular organ. . SHIVA’s goal is not to develop new drugs, but rather to use already existing molecules called targeted therapies. There are currently more than twenty, already used in current practice, but only for certain cancers for which a molecular anomaly has already been identified. In the SHIVA study, the objective will be to measure the survival of patients without progression of their cancer, by comparing those on targeted therapies – regardless of tumor type – compared to those on standard chemotherapy. The final objective being to know if current practices deserve to be changed in favor of this personalized medicine.
Listen Dr Christophe The Tourneau : ” So far 360 patients have been included, 70 are under treatment. We aim to treat 200 patients and the efficacy results will be available at most in 2016 ”
The first feasibility results of this study already exist and will therefore be presented at the European Cancer Congress. Out of 100 patients, these French teams have already succeeded in showing that it is feasible, safe and within a timeframe compatible with treatment. Of the first 100 patients, a biopsy could be performed for 95 of them. The realization of the tumor genetic map of the latter made it possible to detect a molecular anomaly that could be targeted by a targeted treatment already on the market in 40% of cases.
Listen Dr Christophe Le Tourneau: ” Already it is feasible! Performing this biopsy is feasible without inducing too many complications for the patient. And we can do it in less than 4 weeks, which is already a feat. ”
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