Cancer usually arises through a number of genetic changes, which result in out-of-control cell growth and cause tumours to grow and spread. The latest medical approach to cancer – often called ‘personalised medicine’ – involves treating patients based on the genetic changes present in their cancer.
This project aims to use genomic sequencing to identify genetic changes that are advancing the growth of a patient’s cancer, and then target these changes with specific drug therapies, where available. The project is a collaborative effort across multiple hospitals and cancer types including melanoma (skin cancer), lung cancer, paediatric (childhood) cancers and rare cancers.
It is anticipated that approximately 30% to 60% of patients might receive a targeted drug therapy as a result of genomic sequencing.
Click here for more information on Melbourne Genomics' advanced solid cancers project.