An international team is embarking on a research endeavor to enhance the understanding of rare cancers and their responses to targeted therapies. Building on the existing DETERMINE trial, the DETERMINE Translational project aims to delve into the genetic underpinnings of these cancers, potentially paving the way for new treatment options and more effective patient selection.
The DETERMINE trial broadens the therapeutic landscape for patients with rare cancers, offering alternatives to conventional chemotherapy. The trial encompasses a diverse patient population, including pediatric, teenage, and adult individuals. Utilizing only licensed drugs, the trial prioritizes patient safety by leveraging existing knowledge of potential side effects, which are meticulously monitored alongside tumor growth patterns to discern treatment effects across different patient groups.
The DETERMINE Translational initiative seeks to elucidate the mechanisms by which genetic alterations that can initiate cancer are activated by specific conditions, such as mutations, inflammation, or epigenetic modifications. By unraveling these intricate processes, researchers hope to identify potential avenues for cancer prevention. This could involve intervening in the conditions that trigger cancer development or blocking the secondary processes that drive its progression.
The overarching goal is that the combined insights from DETERMINE and DETERMINE Translational will yield novel treatment strategies for patients with rare cancers. Furthermore, the research aims to equip clinicians with the knowledge to more effectively select patients who are likely to benefit from specific treatments, thereby avoiding the use of ineffective medications that may also carry adverse side effects.
