Each Cancer Is Different

The San Francisco Chronicle (through the Associated Press) had a great article today on cancer care.

"The days of one-size-fits-all cancer treatments are numbered: A rush of new research is pointing the way to tailor chemotherapy and other care to what's written in your tumor's genes."

I'm not surprised that we finally wised up and figured out that each cancer is different, and maybe even that even cancer in individuals is different, but that the answer lies in tailoring gene therapy. Wow.

I find this of particular interest: every patient with advanced colon cancer is supposed to get a genetic test that will tell them whether further treatment will do any good. Researchers found last month that Erbitux and Vectibix, cancer drugs which are rather expensive, won't work in 40 percent of patients.

There are currently studies going on regarding genetic testing for breast and lung cancer as well.

All of this work points to the fact that cancer medications don't work for about half the patients, patients who have to suffer through sometimes horrific side effects and financial impact with no benefit.

For the entire article, take a look at the San Francisco Chronicle, February 17, 2009.