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Molecularly Targeted Therapy

Cancer cells each carry specialized proteins or molecules that signal for the growth and division of the cells. Molecularly targeted agents are designed to block these specific molecules and prevent the messages telling the cell to grow or divide from being transmitted. This inhibits the growth of the cancer cells, ultimately resulting in their death. In most cases, each molecularly targeted agent is effective against a single protein or molecule. Specialized genetic and molecular testing of the cancer cells helps physicians determine whether a particular cancer is likely to respond to the targeted agent based on the presence or absence of the target protein in or on the cells. Molecularly targeted agents can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy.

Why aren’t all cancers treated with molecularly targeted therapy?

Molecularly targeted therapy is the cornerstone of precision medicine, a form of medicine that uses information about a person’s genes and proteins to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease.

They are relatively new in cancer treatment, and not all cancers carry a protein that is the target of the currently available drugs. At Cancer Care of North Florida, our oncology specialists offer genetic testing and molecular profiling of the tumor cells to assess candidacy for targeted therapies and tailor a unique and precise treatment plan specifically for you.

Factors our cancer care team considers when recommending treatment options include:

  • The type and subtype of cancer
  • The stage of the cancer (how far it has spread)
  • Results of other tests on the tumor, such as biomarkers, molecular profiling and genetic testing
  • The patient’s age
  • The patient’s overall health and current medications
  • Other serious health problems (such as heart, liver, or kidney diseases)
  • Types of cancer treatments given in the past
What are the benefits of molecularly targeted therapy?

Unlike chemotherapy agents which are indiscriminate and kill all rapidly dividing cells including some healthy cells, molecularly targeted agents selectively kill only those cells carrying the target protein. Consequently, they effectively treat the cancer with significantly fewer side effects.

Caris® Molecular Profiling

A cancer diagnosis can produce great uncertainty. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with cancer, you might feel overwhelmed by all of the questions you have and all of the information you are being given. However, information is the key to finding options in your fight against cancer.

One of the newest and most advanced ways to help physicians assess your options is to identify the biomarkers “targets” that are specific to your cancer. Today, tumor profiling, or also called molecular profiling, makes this possible, and at Cancer Care of North Florida, our oncologists work closely with Caris Life Sciences to do just that.

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What is tumor profiling?

Tumor profiling, also called molecular profiling, involves the testing of a person’s individual tumor to determine its genetic and molecular structure. The genetic and molecular structure of a tumor is unique to each patient. The information derived from tumor profiling – the specific information about the genetic and molecular structure of a person’s cancer – identifies biomarkers that can be targeted with specific treatments that are potentially more effective against the identified biomarker targets. Equally important, the information can prevent the use of treatments known to be potentially ineffective.

How tumor profiling is performed?

Tumor profiling is performed with the use of a tumor profiling service that tests tumors for specific genetic and molecular information. We use tumor profiling from Caris Life Sciences, as it provides the most comprehensive biomarker analysis available. We offer Caris molecular testing after a cancer diagnosis and using tumor samples obtained from biopsy. The tumor is analyzed to identify biomarkers that can be targeted by various available drugs. The Caris report provides valuable information about the tumor and potential therapies that may be more likely to produce a positive response.

Who is eligible for tumor profiling with Caris?

Tumor profiling from Caris may be helpful for a wide variety of solid tumors, and you may be a good candidate if you have an aggressive or advanced cancer, you have not been responsive to therapy, you have a rare cancer, you are facing limited treatment options or you and your doctor are exploring treatment options but the best treatment plan is not clear. Contact our office today to determine if you are a good candidate.

Is tumor profiling covered by insurance?

Medicare and other insurance providers typically reimburse the cost for this service. The laboratory we use for tumor profiling will bill your insurance company. Contact our office to see of your plan covers tumor profiling.

What to expect

If you are going to receive your treatment through an IV (intravenous or IV infusion), you may have a small, outpatient surgery to put a port in so you won’t have to have to have an IV needle inserted into a vein every time you have a treatment. A port is a small metal disk about the size of a quarter that sits just under your skin. The port has a tiny tube that is inserted into a large vessel in your body to administer your treatment and your supportive medications. Your port can be used to receive IV treatments, IV fluids, medications and also to draw your labs. Your healthcare team at the infusion suite will discuss your port with you. The port will stay in until you finish treatments or until your doctor determines you no longer need the port, typically this occurs within six months to one year after the end of your treatment. Not all patients will receive a port and some patients may be encouraged to have a port placed to help maintain the quality of their veins.
When you arrive for infusion, you will come to the infusion suite. The room is designed to be warm and welcoming. We have comfortable recliners, blankets, snacks, and drinks.
Infusions can take as little as a few minutes and up to hours and can continue over the course of a few days. Most patients receive their treatments in 2-4 hours. If your treatment takes days, you will be taking a portable pump home with you. Your doctor and your healthcare team will educate you on the pump and help you to always feel comfortable.
Infusions are given in cycles of active drug treatment followed by a resting period to give healthy tissue time to recover. The resting period may last as long as 2-3 weeks. Once a cycle is completed, it may be repeated a number of times based on your specific diagnosis and national guidelines for treating your cancer.
You will get supportive medications and fluids to help prevent side effects. Side effects from treatment may include fatigue, hair loss, nausea and vomiting, suppressed immune system, and mouth or throat sores. Your healthcare team will discuss these side effects with you, so you know what is expected and what is more urgent. If you ever have any question or concern about what is normal, please call our office. We want to be your partner in this journey to help your healing.

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Why Choose Us?

  • Highly trained, collaborative oncology specialists all currently taking new patients
  • Consultation appointments scheduled within 3-5 days of referral and in some cases same-day appointments available
  • One-stop campus for comprehensive diagnositics and treatment for many types of cancer including radiation, chemotherapy infusion, lab draws and imaging services
  • Onsite infusion center offers comfortable, home-like setting
  • In-office lab testing
  • In-office medication dispensary
  • Open, immediate access to outpatient symptom management
  • 24-hour physician coverage
  • QOPI-certified clinical trials
  • We accept most insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid, and VA