The Institut Curie unveiled the results and the first assessment of the Shiva trial. Molecular analysis of any type of tumor can be performed routinely and in less than four weeks and appears to be effective.
Encouraging results
The researchers carried out this study on 100 patients suffering from different cancers and insensitive to conventional treatments. Scientists took a biopsy of their tumor and analyzed the molecular and genetic profile of cancer cells. The objective of this analysis is to recognize molecular abnormalities (mutations, amplifications of genes or overexpression of hormone receptors) that can be targeted by treatments currently available.
“Of the first hundred patients recruited, the biopsy was successfully performed in 95% of them. Regarding the search for mutations, gene amplifications and the assay of hormone receptors, a result was obtained in respectively 66%, 68% and 92% of cases. In the end, a targeted therapy could be administered in 38% of cases and the time between the biopsy and the treatment decision was on average 26 days, ie less than four weeks ”affirms Dr Christophe Le Tourneau, oncologist at the Institute. Curia and coordinator of the Shiva trial.
Verify this theory on a larger cohort
To verify that this new type of personalized medicine is beneficial, the researchers wish to carry out new research on 900 patients. “We will see if the treatments administered according to the molecular anomaly do better than the standard chemotherapy treatments in stopping the progression of cancers”, explains Dr Christophe Le Tourneau. “To validate this concept of personalized medicine, it must be verified on a large heterogeneity of tumors”, he clarifies.
700 patients have already been recruited from seven French cancer control centers and the results of this study are expected in 2016. Until then, “we should think about ways to reduce the analysis period from four to two weeks. , to allow greater responsiveness to patients, especially for those whose cancers progress rapidly, ”concludes the researcher.
