Cancer treatment is entering a transformative era—where therapies are not only targeted to the type of cancer but also personalized to the genetic makeup of each patient. This precision medicine approach is driven by onco-pharmacogenomics, which uses genetic testing to predict how patients will respond to specific cancer drugs. Dromic Labs is at the forefront of this revolution with its Onco Precision Medicine Test, offering actionable insights that can transform cancer therapy, minimize side effects, and significantly improve patient outcomes.
The Power of Onco-Pharmacogenomics: Precision at Its Best
Onco-pharmacogenomics is a specialized branch of pharmacogenomics that focuses on understanding how a patient’s genetic profile influences their response to cancer treatments. This approach allows clinicians to select the most effective therapies while avoiding drugs that could cause severe side effects or be ineffective.
Genetic Testing for Cancer Drugs: The Onco Precision Medicine Test test from Dromic Labs analyzes a broad range of genetic markers that are critical for determining how the body metabolizes and responds to cancer drugs. Key genes include TPMT, DPYD, UGT1A1, and others, which are involved in the metabolism of chemotherapy agents, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. (1) For instance, variations in the UGT1A1 gene can influence a patient’s tolerance to irinotecan, a common chemotherapy drug, potentially reducing severe toxicity and optimizing dosage. (2)
Actionable Insights for Cancer Therapy: By providing a detailed genetic profile, the Onco precision medicine test empowers oncologists with the information needed to tailor treatment plans specifically to the patient’s genetic makeup. This precision reduces the reliance on a trial-and-error approach and increases the likelihood of selecting the most effective therapy from the start.
Why Dromic Labs’ Onco Precision Medicine Test Stands Out
Dromic Labs’ Onco precision medicine test is not just another genetic test—it’s a comprehensive tool designed to revolutionize cancer treatment optimization. Here’s why it stands out:
Reducing Side Effects:
Cancer treatments often come with a risk of debilitating side effects. The Onco precision medicine test identifies patients who are genetically predisposed to severe toxicities from certain drugs. For example, patients with specific variants in the DPYD gene are at high risk of life-threatening toxicity from fluoropyrimidine drugs like 5-FU(3). Early identification allows for dosage adjustments or the selection of alternative treatments, significantly improving patient safety and quality of life.
Improving Treatment Outcomes:
Personalized treatment based on pharmacogenomics data is associated with better clinical outcomes. Patients whose treatments are tailored to their genetic profiles are more likely to experience positive responses, longer remission periods, and higher survival rates. For instance, breast cancer patients with HER2-positive tumors who receive targeted therapy based on their genetic profile often have better outcomes compared to those treated with standard chemotherapy. (4)
Cost-Effectiveness:
While genetic testing may have an upfront cost, the long-term financial benefits are substantial. Personalized therapy can prevent costly hospitalizations due to adverse drug reactions and reduce the need for additional rounds of ineffective treatments. This approach not only improves patient outcomes but also alleviates the financial burden on healthcare systems and patients alike.
Interesting discovery:
The paper titled “Diagnostic Outcomes of Concurrent DNA and RNA Sequencing in Individuals Undergoing Hereditary Cancer Testing” presents significant findings regarding the effectiveness of using both DNA and RNA sequencing in hereditary cancer diagnostics. (5)
Key Findings:
- Study Population:
The study involved 43,524 individuals undergoing hereditary cancer testing. Among these, 10,837 individuals (24.9%) met the criteria for testing based on their personal cancer history.
- Pathogenic Variant Identification:
Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified in 11.2% of the tested individuals. This highlights the prevalence of genetic factors contributing to cancer risk.
- Impact of RNA Sequencing:
The study underscored the importance of RNA sequencing alongside DNA testing, which provided additional evidence for variant classification in many cases. Specifically:17.1% of splicing variants classified as pathogenic depended on RNA evidence for their classification (representing 1.9% of all pathogenic variants).
71.1% of splicing variants of uncertain significance (VUS) were resolved as benign through RNA evidence (which is 2.1% of all VUS).
Clinical Implications:
The findings indicate that RNA sequencing can significantly improve the accuracy of variant classification, potentially impacting medical management decisions. The study noted that 1.3% of participants (549 individuals) had their variant classifications impacted, with 97 individuals receiving medically significant upgrades. This included 70 individuals whose variants were reclassified from VUS to pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) and 27 individuals with novel deep intronic P/LP variants that would not have been identified using DNA sequencing alone.
The study concludes that concurrent DNA and RNA sequencing represents a significant advancement in hereditary cancer testing. By enhancing the detection and classification of pathogenic variants, this method can lead to better identification of high-risk individuals and more effective medical management strategies. The integration of RNA sequencing into standard diagnostic practices is poised to improve patient outcomes in oncology.
Conclusion: A New Dawn in Cancer Treatment
Dromic Labs’ Onco precision medicine test is not just a tool—it’s a beacon of hope in the fight against cancer. By harnessing the power of onco-pharmacogenomics, this test provides oncologists with critical information that enables them to craft personalized treatment plans tailored to the genetic profiles of their patients. This approach minimizes the risk of adverse effects, optimizes treatment efficacy, and improves overall patient outcomes.
In a landscape where cancer treatment is often a race against time, the Onco precision medicine test offers a significant advantage. By turning genetic data into actionable insights, it helps oncologists stay ahead of the curve, offering patients a greater chance at a successful outcome. As Dromic Labs continues to innovate and expand its offerings, the future of cancer treatment looks increasingly personalized, precise, and full of promise.
Onco Precision Medicine Test: Tailored Cancer DNA Testing(Dromics lab)
Experience personalized cancer care with our advanced Onco Precision Medicine Test, designed to optimize treatment through cutting-edge genetic analysis. Our Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk includes Hereditary Cancer DNA Tests and Genetic Counseling in India, empowering patients and healthcare providers to make informed choices regarding cancer therapies.
References:
(1)https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40262-016-0450-z
(2)https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/OP.21.00624
(3)PMID: 34506675
(4)https://doi.org/10.1093/noajnl/vdaa136
(5)https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2811619
