Chemosensativity Assay – Anyone have any experience with this ?
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Well, I did some digging and I’m not referring to the similarly named tests from the 70s and 80s (also called Chemosensativity Assays) that measured cancer cell growth. Those have been discredited. This is different, this test measures programmed cell death, and has some very interesting results, with recent data.
In 2011 a trial compared it against molecular profiling (in this case Cervical cancer) and was found to have been more accurate in directing therapy.
See this: http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/9/1/94
Also, even though Cigna doesn’t cover the test, calling it “Investigational” because there’s not enough trial data, they do cite a number of studies and minor trials with very interesting results. They seem to insinuate that it might have merit. This is why I’m so interested in knowing more. Here’s the link to the Cigna review:
http://www.cigna.com/sites/careallies/pdf/ex223_tumor_in_vitro_chemosensitivity_assays.pdf
Cholangiotango…..I believe that molecular profiling has taken a greater role in determining drug efficacy for our patients.
Hugs,
MarionThere’s a company in Long Beach called Rational Therapeutics, run by Dr. Robert A. Nagourney that does a Chemosensativity Assay based on programmed cell death. I’ve seen some interesting material from Cigna health treatment review and others, that calls it investigational and doesn’t cover it, but actually cites some interesting studies that lead me to believe it might have some predictive merit. One review even says that it might be worth considering for cancers that have few treatment options which definitely is true of CC.
I’d like to bring this and other study info to my dad’s next oncologist (current one wont even let me present the material – very closed minded) but was wondering if anyone on this site has any experience with it.
BTW – It’s purpose is to test against various chemo agents in vitro to measure chemo cell death rate (should not be confused with similarly named tests from the 70s and 80s that measured growth and were discredited) in order to help guide treatment selection.
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