Precision Oncology Program

What is Precision Oncology?

Precision oncology uses information about your individual cancer to guide treatment choices.

Every cancer is different. Even two people with the same type of cancer may have cancers that act differently.

Special tests can look for changes in cancer cells. These are sometimes called biomarker tests, molecular tests, or genomic tests.

These results may help your care team:

  • Find treatments, like targeted therapy or immunotherapy, which may work for your cancer.
  • Learn which treatments may be less likely to help.
  • Find clinical trial opportunities.
  • Better understand your cancer.

Testing may use a piece of tumor tissue, a blood sample, or sometimes both.

Developed with the assistance of Google NotebookLM | Medically reviewed by the
St. Elizabeth Precision Oncology Team

Questions about Testing?

Contact your primary oncologist or your Precision Medicine and Genetics Team.

Phone:
859-301-GENE (4363)

Fax:
859-301-4924

Email:
[email protected]

What Are the Different Types of Precision Oncology Tests?

Different tests can help answer different questions. You may need one type of test, more than one, or no additional testing.

  • Somatic tumor testing looks for changes in the cancer cell. Results may guide treatment or find a clinical trial.

    There are two common ways to do this testing:

    • Tissue testing uses a piece of the tumor a biopsy, surgery, or a tumor sample collected in the past.
    • Liquid biopsy uses blood to look for small pieces of cancer genetic information, or DNA.
  • Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) testing usually uses a blood sample to look for small amounts of cancer DNA that may remain in the body after or during treatment. In some cancers, it may help your care team look for signs of cancer that are too small to see on a scan. MRD testing is not used for every cancer or every patient.
  • Pharmacogenomics testing looks at genes inherited from your parents that may affect how your body processes certain medicines, including some chemotherapy agents. Results may help your care team choose a medicine or dose that is right for you.
  • Hereditary Cancer testing looks for gene changes you were born with that may increase the risk of certain cancers. This is usually done with a blood or saliva sample. Because these gene changes can run in families, the results could also be important for your family members.

How is Precision Oncology Different from Traditional Cancer Treatment?

Traditional cancer treatments are often selected based on things like:

  • The type of cancer you have.
  • Where the cancer started.
  • How much the cancer has grown or spread.
  • Your health and medical history.

This may include treatments like chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation.

Precision oncology can give your care team more information. It looks at specific features inside or on the surface of your cancer cells. These features are sometimes called biomarkers.

If a useful biomarker is found, your care team may be able to choose a treatment that targets that feature. For example, two people may have the same type of cancer, but have different biomarkers. Because of this, they may receive different treatments.

Does Precision Oncology Replace Traditional Cancer Treatments?

Not always. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, or other treatments may still be the best choice. Instead, precision oncology can give your care team another tool to help choose the right treatment for you.

Sometimes testing does not find a biomarker that can be targeted. Finding a biomarker also does not mean that a certain treatment will work.

What happens after testing?

Your cancer care team will review your test results with you. They may talk to you about:

  • What was found in your cancer.
  • Whether the results may help guide your treatment.
  • Whether more testing is indicated.
  • Whether a clinical trial may be an option.
  • The possible benefits and side effects of treatment.

After talking with your care team, you may still have questions. That is okay.

Precision Oncology experts are available right here at St. Elizabeth to provide extra help and support.

Cancer Treatment Built Around YOU

Our Precision Oncology Team includes:

  • Precision Oncology Specialist: a board-certified oncology pharmacist who can help explain your tumor testing results and how they may relate to treatment options.
  • Molecular Navigator: helps guide you through the testing process. When possible, the navigator can help with insurance, cost, and other issues that may make testing more difficult.
  • Pharmacogenomics Pharmacists: help explain how your genes may affect the way your body processes certain chemotherapy and/or other medications. This information can help your team choose a medicine or dose that is right for you.
  • Genetic Counselors: help explain gene changes that may run in families and what the results could mean for you and your family members.

Contact our Precision Oncology Team Today

Call Us

Contact your oncology provider to learn more or call our Precision Medicine and Genetics team.

Visit Us

Our office is located in the Edgewood Cancer Center.