VATIS UPDATE Article

In a study researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center, the United States, have described a novel genomics model that allows a personalized approach to radiation therapy. Moffitt researchers believe that precision medicine also has a role in radiation therapy and that it could be used to improve patient outcomes and reduce toxicities. The study has been published in The Lancet Oncology.

Previously, a team of Moffitt researchers, led by Javier F. Torres-Roca, developed a gene-expression based radiosensitivity index (RSI) that predicts tumor sensitivity to radiation therapy based on the expression of 10 specific genes. The RSI accurately predicts clinical outcomes in many different cancer patients treated with radiation, including breast, head and neck, glioblastoma, pancreas, and metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

The researchers used the RSI to develop a genomics model called the genomic-adjusted radiation dose (GARD) that predicts the therapeutic effect for radiotherapy and could guide radiation dosing to match an individual’s tumor radiosensitivity. This study demonstrates that it is possible to differentiate those patients who may benefit from radiation therapy through genomics approaches.