I am energized to be here at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. It is wonderful to rub shoulders with so many professionals who are seeking to conquer cancer. As an oncologist, I interact daily with people and families for whom this devastating disease has become an all-consuming reality.

This is why I am excited about Intermountain Precision Genomics ICG100 targeted, genomic-based approach to cancer care. It is always difficult to tell a stage four metastatic cancer patient that there is nothing left to try. This new genomics-based approach has given new hope to many of my patients with incurable malignancies.  We may not be able to cure cancer, but with precision genomic-based therapy, I can help people live more fulfilling lives with their cancer.

Sometimes cancer becomes non-responsive, or resistant to traditional chemotherapy. Conventional chemotherapy can also be a rather imprecise treatment for a very specific problem and the side-effects can often be horrendous. Technology has evolved to where we can analyze the DNA, or genetic makeup, of cancerous tumors. The ICG100 process begins with the next-generation sequencing of the DNA in a tumor sample, so that we can determine precisely which gene mutations are causing the cancer. This is important information, because many drug companies have produced drugs designed to alter very specific mutations.

For example, a drug regularly prescribed for breast cancer was given to a patient with colon cancer. Next-generation sequencing of the colon tumor DNA revealed that this particular colon cancer had a gene mutation generally found in breast cancer. The colon cancer responded favorably to the breast cancer medication and the improvements seen in the patient’s overall health were extraordinary.

From an oncologist’s standpoint, I find this genomic-based approach gives me more options. Targeted drug therapy, or precision medicines, have far fewer side-effects than standard chemotherapy. Patients enjoy the ease of taking the precision medications orally and at home. I have also found that patients undergoing precision therapy have far fewer trips to the Emergency Department than those using conventional chemotherapy. These are a few of the ways this new treatment for cancer is improving the quality of my stage four cancer patients’ lives.

I am confident that ICG100, as a cancer-fighting tool, is as advanced as anything available on the market today. ICG100 includes next-generation sequencing as well as an evaluation of test results by a collaborative team of scientists, physicians, oncologists, and researchers known as the Molecular Tumor Board. I feel confident recommending ICG100 precision medicine to my patients knowing it was endorsed by the Molecular Tumor Board specialists who review each case individually.

After discussing the Molecular Tumor Board’s recommended care options with my patient, the Intermountain Precision Genomics ICG100 also includes a drug procurement process. The ICG Drug Navigation Team handles all of the appeals, insurance issues, and clinical trial paperwork necessary to ensure my patient gets the precision drugs that will most benefit them.

From start to finish, the ICG100 process takes about 17 days. The ICG100 is a proven, cost-effective option for stage four cancer patients. The ICG100 can be ordered by oncologists nationwide, through a simple web-based interface. The ICG100 is suitable for FFPE and fresh tissue samples. As an oncologist, I can submit samples, order next-generation sequencing, make treatment selections and order precision medicines, all on-line.

I am excited to be a part of Intermountain Precision Genomics and to be a part of the future of cancer care - today.  Please refer to our recently published ASCO Meeting Abstracts for further information:

Precision medicine to improve survival without increasing costs in advanced cancer patients. (Abstract No. e17641)

Implementation of a precision cancer program in an integrated health care system. (Abstract No. e17647)

Or visit ASCO Booth #16153 in the Oncology Professionals Hall or precisioncancer.org