Foundation testing?

kidclutch

My original post about this was lost in the outage, so I'm asking again!

My dad will be getting a biopsy on Tuesday of a new tumor in his shoulder blade that showed up on a bone scan a few weeks ago (after a 0.25 then .50 rise in PSA from 1.99) while on Zytiga. The treatment facility (which is excellent, I have been impressed every step of the way) has ordered Foundation One testing. Genome sequencing to find mutations that may explain why the Zytiga / Lupron (previously Lupron / Casodex) isn't fully working. Zytiga took the PSA from 13 to 1.99, so it certainly is doing something!

Have any of you had Foundation One testing done? I had a reply on my previous posting that was very helpful but I can't reference it anymore. Was it helpful? Do you have any information to share?

(His insurance denied the request but Foundation has a financial assistance program, thankfully, so onward we go.)

SantaZia

I believe this is what you wanted

Hi Kid I am not sure what I responded to exactly but I believe this is the information you wanted. In 2018, a new genetically based drug was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to fight cancer: Vitrakvi, a medication for adults and children whose cancers have a genetic mutation called TRK fusion. Also late last year, Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug, received expanded approval by the FDA to fight malignancies that bear a specific genetic signature.

Oncologists will have to know the genetic makeup of a tumor to prescribe these drugs, but only 12 percent of patients with late-stage metastatic cancer are getting the tests, according to a report on the genetic testing company, Foundation Medicine, in the MIT Technology Review.

However, broad-spectrum genetic testing is expensive, and many insurers won’t cover the tests or the new drugs.

Dan Rhodes, CEO of Strata Oncology, a tumor-sequencing company, said in the article that his company is giving away free testing to cancer patients to help match them to experimental treatments being studied in clinical trials.  Best of Luck for you and your Dad!

kidclutch

SantaZia said:

I believe this is what you wanted

Hi Kid I am not sure what I responded to exactly but I believe this is the information you wanted. In 2018, a new genetically based drug was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to fight cancer: Vitrakvi, a medication for adults and children whose cancers have a genetic mutation called TRK fusion. Also late last year, Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug, received expanded approval by the FDA to fight malignancies that bear a specific genetic signature.

Oncologists will have to know the genetic makeup of a tumor to prescribe these drugs, but only 12 percent of patients with late-stage metastatic cancer are getting the tests, according to a report on the genetic testing company, Foundation Medicine, in the MIT Technology Review.

However, broad-spectrum genetic testing is expensive, and many insurers won’t cover the tests or the new drugs.

Dan Rhodes, CEO of Strata Oncology, a tumor-sequencing company, said in the article that his company is giving away free testing to cancer patients to help match them to experimental treatments being studied in clinical trials.  Best of Luck for you and your Dad!

Yes!

Thank you!

I am hopeful it detects a clinically meaningful mutation, but I suppose if it does not. it just means they know what NOT to do next which is still useful. I am anxious. But his PSA is still much lower than the 60 it was at diagnosis without too much pain, so things could certainly be worse. I don’t think the cancer center is quite done with him yet.

kidclutch

For anyone who may read this thread—

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bostonglobe.com/business/2018/12/03/test-turns-out-lifesaver/dH8F5QcbPGEOpl3LaqVcaN/amp.html

 

It has been tough to find patient testimonials about this testing but this one is so happy! I hope this becomes part of the standard of care, and I will update when my dad gets his results!