Featured Studies Highlight #6: The Johnathan and Plum Simons Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence
Research Overview:
The Jonathan and Plum Simons Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence was established at the CMCVAMC in 2019 with support from the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Led by doctors Kyle Robinson and Yu Ning Wong, the center’s goal is to provide state-of-the-art cancer care to Veterans with prostate cancer. Through the PCF-VA collaborative Prostate Cancer Precision Oncology Program (POPCAP), the CMCVAMC investigators collaborate with investigators from other VAMCs on multicenter projects.
Research Purpose:
Personalized medicine holds the promise of improving cancer care outcomes by identifying patients who are most likely to benefit from specific treatments. One of the major aims of the center is to increase the use of genomic sequencing to identify patients with mutations in their tumors (also known as “somatic mutations”) or in their DNA (also known as “germline mutations.”)
Goals/Objectives:
Working with the VA National Precision Oncology Program, the center is increasing its use of Next Generation Sequencing in patients with metastatic prostate cancer to identify who may harbor somatic mutations. This testing will help identify patients eligible for newly FDA-approved agents, as well as cutting edge clinical trials exploring new treatment options in Prostate Cancer.
They are also working to increase the use of genetic (germline) testing to identify patients whose genes place them at high risk of developing cancer. Along with identifying potential treatments, this information may be helpful for patients as well as their families to understand if they are at increased risk of cancer. With support from Independence Blue Cross (IBX) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) New Data Nurse of the Future Pilot Program Award, Dr. Kara Maxwell was awarded a grant for “Expanding access to Genetic Services for Veterans: A pilot program to train VA nurses in genetic medicine.” Working with the VA’s National Genomics Medicine Service, Dr. Maxwell has established a cancer genetics program at CMCVAMC to counsel patients about their familial risk.
Drs. Maxwell and Ravi Parikh have also received Young Investigator Awards from the PCF that are focused on improving outcomes for veterans with prostate cancer. Dr. Maxwell’s grant is titled “Towards targeting African American prostate cancer with PARP inhibitors and immunotherapy.” Dr. Parikh’s project is titled ‘"Biomarker-based approaches to predict fracture risk among Veterans with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer." Their work looks to increase the identification of patients eligible for personalized therapies, as well as limit the toxicities from current treatment approaches to Prostate Cancer.
Research Results:
Results have not yet been reported for these studies.
How Does This Impact Veterans?:
The veteran population is heavily impacted by prostate cancer and by helping to personalize treatment and increase germline testing, the Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence aims to better clinical outcomes as well as the quality of treatment and life for those affected.
For more information on the National Oncology Program, click the link below!
https://www.cancer.va.gov/CANCER/docs/NOP_Brochure_vFinal_DIGITAL.pdf
