One of the driving reasons why I was gripped with fear on hearing I have lung cancer is the thought of chemotherapy and all the awful ways that is portrayed on TV. I had no other reference since I didn't have anyone in the family with cancer, and shamefully, I "left the room" if friends or people at work talked about someone going through it. Emotionally, I just couldn't bear to hear it. Of course, now I know there have been strides in chemotherapy and management of side effects. And of course I ended up having chemotherapy which will be another blog for another time with all my tips on how to prepare for and handle side effects. What is Biomarker Testing? At the time of my diagnosis I had no idea what an oncologist is let alone biomarker testing. Although I am several States apart, Matt Ellefson was right by side. He told me there maybe other options besides chemotherapy that can lead to an individualized treatment plan. To determine this, biomarker testing is needed through a biopsy, or a tissue sample of my tumor. Few years post diagnosis I have understood cancer biomarker usually refers to proteins, genes, and other molecules found in tumors that affect how cancer cells grow. A biomarker test looks for proteins or genes that triggers cells to grow and multiply abnormally. So, a biopsy or a tissue sample of your tumor is needed. The test helps to identify the subtype of lung cancer you have, and possible gene mutations. If your cancer has a known biomarker, there may be a way to specifically target your cancer and is generally more effective than chemotherapy or radiation, and likely fewer side effects. Results are in! With Matt Ellefson's guidance I was able to ensure that my medical team agreed the tumor material removed from brain surgery is sent to Foundation Medicine for biomarker testing. I would not have known about this test, if not for Matt. This one nagging advice from Matt, changed the course of my treatment plan, and is the reason why I am still here. It's very clear to me Matt's relentless drive to make this world free of cancer and be a mentor, all while waging his own battles, is the epitome of Divinity. I learned only 1% of advanced NSCLC patients have ROS1 gene alteration. The biomarker testing on my tumor showed my cancer has a ROS1 gene that can be targeted with a drug called Crizotinib. The drug turns off the protein signaling in the cells, which is why a drug such as mine is called “tryosine kinase inhibitors,” or TKI’s. Crizotinib was initially approved for patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusions. My oncologist knew it will work for ROS1 and in receiving the results of the biomarker testing, I learned only 1% of advanced NSCLC patients have ROS1 gene alteration. Again, I didn't know it then - Divinity is my constant companion. In March 2016 FDA approved the use of Crizotinib for ROS1 gene alteration. And so my love affair with Crizotinib began in January 2014 and we are still together!
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