Genetic sequencing to match cancer patients to clinical trials

The genomic approaches pioneered by GeneKey are starting to make inroads at some leading academic cancer centers. For example, the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Michigan Center for Translational Pathology (MCTP) announced in a press release today that it had "recently completed a pilot study aimed at solving the practical challenges involved in quickly and systematically sequencing genetic material from patients with advanced or treatment-resistant cancer in order to match them with existing clinical trials based on the biomarkers identified."

Large cancer centers have been slowed by the challenges of scaling genetic sequencing to hundreds and thousands of patients. In addition, they limit their analysis to known cancer mutations with associated approved drugs and clinical trials for specified tumor types.

In contrast, GeneKey analyzes not only the mutations but also any biological process that is abnormal in the tumor samples. We then search thousands of approved compounds, not just cancer therapies, for drugs that target those abnormal processes.