Five-Time Cancer Survivor Receives First-of-Its-Kind Ovarian Cancer Treatment at Long Beach Medical Center
Long Beach Press Telegram -- October 29, 2006, Sunday, Final Edition --
A cancer diagnosis once in a lifetime is traumatic and life changing. Imagine having that diagnosis five times-and living to tell about it. Sharon Williamson, 65, an ovarian and breast cancer survivor, today lives cancer-free, thanks to a novel treatment protocol pioneered by Robert Nagourney, M.D., medical director of the Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. This breakthrough technique, known as an ex-vivo analysis of programmed cell death, uses a patient's own cancer cells to determine the drug or combination that is most effective in killing the individual patient's cancer. By exposing each patient's cancer cells to all of available the agents, the assay tailors each patient's treatment to their unique profile of sensitivity and resistance.
A Genetic History of Cancer
In her early 30's, Sharon was diagnosed with cancer in both breasts, and within a decade she underwent modified, radical mastectomies and intensive radiation while suffering extreme side effects.
A decade later, Sharon faced her next cancer hurdle: Stage II ovarian cancer. After surgery, she was cancer-free, but had a premonition her cancer battle wasn't over yet.
"In 1999 I went for genetic counseling and found that my DNA analysis came back positive for the BRAC 1 mutation associated with the familial Breast/Ovarian Cancer Syndrome," she says. "I was concerned my fight wasn't over yet." Mutated BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are found in some individuals with breast or ovarian cancer and Sharon's genetic counseling indicated she was at very high-risk.
In 2002, after a 13-year remission, her doctor once again discovered a tumor and immediately started her on the standard chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. It was at that time Sharon contacted Dr. Nagourney and the Todd Cancer Institute for a consultation.
In February 2004, Sharon presented with tumors in the pelvis and liver. Her surgeon submitted portions of the cancer that he removed to Dr. Nagourney's laboratory where he performed the ex-vivo analysis (EVA-PCD™) to find the most effective treatment for her.
"The assay identified the combination of Cisplatin plus Gemcitabine --a combination that we originally developed in 1995 and that just received FDA approval in July 2006 for ovarian cancer-- as the best regimen for Sharon," says Dr. Nagourney. "After two treatments, with minimal side effects, her CA125 level (a blood protein used as a tumor marker) fell from 232 down to 20, well within the normal range of 0-30."
Sharon had nine chemotherapy treatments but the side effects began to take a toll, raising concern she might be intolerant of further therapy. A PET scan, a sensitive test used to find residual disease, indicated that Sharon had persistent disease, despite the normal CA125 levels.
"I told Sharon that although she'd had an excellent response, she still had cancer," said Dr. Nagourney. "On her assay results, however, we had found a different combination of chemotherapy drugs, one that we had just reported at a national meeting in Washington DC, looked very promising for her."
In January of 2005, Dr. Nagourney began treating Sharon with a drug combination not otherwise used for ovarian cancer - Vinorelbine, a breast and lung cancer drug, and Capecitabine, a colon and breast cancer drug, "In the EVA-PCD™ assay, her tumor was very sensitive. This combination was ideal for Sharon because it didn't cause the lowered blood counts, nausea or the hair loss so common with many chemotherapies."
Shortly after beginning the new treatment, Sharon's CA 125 fell to 7, the lowest level detectable. More remarkably in December of that year, her PET scans had normalized, giving what Sharon called her "best Christmas present ever." The scans have remained negative for the past year. Now on a very mild monthly maintenance schedule, Sharon’s treatment continues to work with virtually no toxicity whatsoever.
Assay directed approaches to cancer give patients like Sharon renewed hope - and the potential for the excellent outcomes using treatments individualized to their particular need. Clinical trials are now underway at the Todd Cancer Institute using assay directed therapy (ADT) in advanced Lung, Colon, Pancreatic and Stomach Cancers. For more information, call the Todd Cancer Institute at (562) 933-0900. For a referral to a cancer specialist, call (800) MEMORIAL.
Philanthropic gifts provide many benefits at Long Beach Memorial. Your philanthropic gift provides a lasting legacy and tax deduction. To learn how to help, call Memorial Medical Center Foundation at 562/933-4483.
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