The role of genomic tests in personalised medicine for colon cancer

Prof David Kerr - Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit, Oxford, UK

Professor David Kerr talks to ecancerTV about the Oncotype DX Colon Cancer Assay which gives useful additional information on possible patient selection for treatment, particularly in those with a bad prognosis.  Professor Kerr explains how a patient’s gene signature can identify patients with a higher vs. lower risk of cancer recurrence, and how this information can be used to determine which patients are most likely to benefit from additional chemotherapy.  This helps to tailor treatments for colon cancer to the right patient at the right time with the right disease.

This RNA Oncotype DX Colon Cancer Assay signature test assists in the complex decision-making process in patients with refractory or complex colon cancer, in addition to conventional pathology.  Evidence for the Oncotype DX Colon Cancer Assay was gained from the landmark large-scale QUASAR validation study and Professor Kerr explains the results of this assay validation study in terms of effectiveness of the recurrence score in stage II disease.  He also explains its value in patients with stage III disease.

Professor Kerr comments on the reliability and reproducibly of Oncotype DX Colon Cancer Assay in clinical practice, and on how the assay might be used in the everyday clinic setting in the decision-making process to inform healthcare professionals and patients. 

Professor Kerr concludes by giving his view on the future place of the recurrence score in general, and the Oncotype DX Colon Cancer Assay in particular, in personalised medicine.

This programme has been supported by sponsorship from Genomic Health.