Making strides in cancer and genetics

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The latest in cancer treatment may come from within. U.S. researchers are developing new treatments based on an individual patient’s DNA.

He thought it was a cold. But Jared Gordon’s bad cough turned out to be lung cancer: “Stage 4 when they found it. Initially a tumour in the lung. And had spread to the lining of the lung and the lymph nodes.”

A light smoker years ago, and now a single father of 3, Jared was given 6-months. But his treatment has changed that. Doctors took a tissue sample of his tumour and with this machine found a genetic mutation. Dr. Greg Otterson is a researcher: “A phenomenon called next generation sequencing where we’re analyzing 50-some machines.”

Discovering the genetic mutations in tumours has led to more specific, targetted treatments. Dr. Otterson: “What’s really exciting is going to my clinic on Monday’s and seeing this patient seeing others who are alive now and maybe wouldn’t have been alive, certainly wouldn’t have had the same quality of life five years ago.”

Instead of IV chemotherapy with horrible side effects, Gordon takes two pills a day. He’s getting better results and an improved quality of life: I still work, I still live my normal life. I do everything I used to do, and I just keep on going.”

This specific research and treatment is now underway at James Cancer Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.