Genetic Testing Survey – We Need Your Input!

Please can you help if possible.

Have a look at the links –

Cholangiocarcinoma Patients with a Specific Genetic Biomarker Now have a New Treatment Option

http://cholangiocarcinoma.org/cholangiocarcinoma-patients-with-a-specific-genetic-biomarker-now-have-a-new-treatment-option/

http://www.einpresswire.com/article/386482156/cholangiocarcinoma-patients-with-a-specific-genetic-biomarker-now-have-a-new-treatment-option

Due to recent news about new cancer treatments, CCF is gathering information about your experience with genetic testing of your tumor. Whether you have or have not had any genetic testing it is important to answer the following questions to help us make progress in cancer research.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted approval to Merck & Co. for the first cancer drug based on a patients’ individual genetic characteristics, regardless of where in the body the disease started. Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is for patients with solid tumors identified as having a biomarker called microsatellite instability (MSI) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR). This genetic defect activates cells to search out and destroy the cancer.

Keytruda has been shown to have certain effects that are likely to benefit cholangiocarcinoma patients especially in cases where their tumors continued to grow and spread after past treatment. Of the 149 patients who received Keytruda in clinical trials, 39.6% had a complete or partial response.

According to Marion Schwartz at CCF, “Molecular profiling provides detailed information about the genetic changes that are present in each patient’s tumor.” It is strongly recommended that ALL cholangiocarcinoma patients ask to be tested to determine if they have MSI or other biomarkers that may offer more treatment options.

Hugs and thanks to all!

Gavin