Dear Subscriber,  November marks Lung and Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month. Both these diseases typically remain undetected until the cancer has spread. With comparatively low response rates to treatment, both of these diagnoses are generally associated with unfavorable survival statistics.
With this as a backdrop, these two diseases have provided some of our most striking successes. The recent Comedy Night Fundraiser hosted by Stevens Steak & Seafood House to benefit the Vanguard Cancer Foundation provided the opportunity to invite many of our long-term survivors onto the stage for recognition and a photo opportunity. As I looked about the room, I could count among the attendees, lung cancer patients, many of whom are now five or even 10 years since their original diagnoses. Those who are not in the field of medical oncology might not be familiar with the survival statistics for this disease, but I assure you that the words "long-term" and "survivorship" are rarely found in the same sentence as lung cancer. 
Dr. Nagourney with some of the long-term lung cancer survivors in attendance at the "Laughter is Contagious" event. While advances in this disease include the discovery of genetic targets for the newest agents like erlotinib (Tarceva) and crizotinib (Xalkori), many of the patients joining us that evening have benefited from more conventional chemotherapy drugs. This only further reinforces our belief that the intelligent selection of therapy can improve outcomes, even without the addition of new classes of therapeutics. Good outcomes in cancer do not necessarily reflect the addition of a new drug or combination, but instead, what can occur simply through the intelligent application of available diagnostic, therapeutic and supportive measures towards the greatest good for each patient. Our provision of assay-directed therapy represents an important step forward in the use of anti-cancer drugs. As we continue to confront hurdles in providing these services to the largest number of patients possible, the support and sponsorship of the Vanguard Cancer Foundation remains an integral part of our mission. With our ongoing efforts to develop the next generation of effective therapies, we look forward to providing our discoveries to patients, regardless of their ability to pay. We look forward to a new year, and to continuing our mission of "Hope Practiced Here."
 Dr. Robert Nagourney Rational Therapeutics |
This new column showcases patient interviews, to share why some people decide to pursue personalized cancer therapy, instead of settling for standardized protocols.
 Jan Chatelain, is not your ordinary woman. Not even using the high standards of successful career women in the City of Angels. Jan is one of five women captains in the Los Angeles County Fire Department. From this successful career path, you can easily conclude that she is physically fit, smart, ambitious, and recognized by her peers as someone to look up to and admire.
But the diagnosis of cancer is a great leveler of us all. It doesn't matter who you are and what you do, we just hear the "C" word and go into what Dr. Nagourney refers to as the "cancer fog." "As a firefighter we are regularly screened for cancer and cardiac problems. When I went in for my annual physical earlier this year, I happened to have a cough. When the chest x-ray showed a mass on my lung, I was immediately referred to a well known thoracic surgeon at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center," said Jan. But upon further testing it was learned that the tumor had already spread and the surgeon informed her that she was not a candidate for surgery. Jan had metastasis to her lymph nodes, brain and to her cervical spine. But, she wasn't coughing up blood and didn't feel bad at all. So, she made up her mind that she wasn't going to just die. She went home and told her husband that they had to throw out everything they believed about lung cancer and do some research. Family members joined in the endeavor. Still searching for answers, Jan went back to her internist, Robert Reiss, MD, who told her to look up Dr. Robert Nagourney and read about the cancer testing done at Rational Therapeutics (RT). Jan reviewed the RT website, then made an appointment. Meeting with Dr. Nagourney and listening to his approach, "made so much sense to me," she recalls. But even before any chemotherapy was given, Dr. Nagourney and his staff coordinated her care in a way that made her truly appreciate the team approach. He also gave me great peace of mind by stating, "You're not dying of cancer. You just happen to have it." "Dr. Nagourney referred me to a thoracic surgeon for a consult and to a neurosurgeon since he was so concerned about the involvement of my cervical spine. He made me wear a cervical collar to support my neck. He then referred me to a radiation oncologist for radiation treatments to shrink the cervical mass. He presented my case to the Tumor Board at Long Beach Memorial, which allowed my treatment plan to be developed with input from many specialized professionals." Jan was able to provide a tumor sample for testing which revealed that a targeted therapy would kill her tumor. And so far, Jan is doing fantastic; her latest scans barely show any signs of tumor and she has resumed nearly all of her regular activities within eight months of treatment, including training new recruits in the Fire Academy and enjoying tennis on her off-duty days.
When asked about her journey, Jan says that she has been lucky. But is it luck? Or is it that she didn't accept the "standard" responses, or the oft-repea ted death sentence. Jan Chatelain researched, consulted, and ultimately made up her own mind about what made sense to her. It is easy to see why Jan has exceeded in an elite career. One that isn't based on luck, but knowledge. As well as, the ability to think clearly, decisively, then act accordingly. |
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A Note From
the Front LInes
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Many of our phone and email inquiries are about whether or not a patient is a candidate for the EVA-PCDŽ functional profile. Hopefully this will help answer many of those questions.
GUIDELINES
Is there a site of disease from which we can obtain living cancer tissue?
As we do not grow tumor cells in culture, we need at least a 1cm piece (approximately 3/8 inch) of viable tumor (lymph node, cytologically positive pleural or ascites fluid, bone marrow aspirate, etc.), received in our laboratory within 24 hours of collection. Past biopsies or needle biopsies DO NOT provide the quantity of viable (living) tumor required for a successful analysis.
Is the patient "treatment-free"?
Our test measures the ability of drugs to kill cancer cells in the laboratory. Any recent exposure to radiation or chemotherapy may sensitize the tumor to the drugs we test and cause inaccurate results. Thus, a three-week treatment free period is preferred.
Is the patient physically strong enough to undergo further chemotherapy?
Some patients are too ill to tolerate the side effects of cancer treatment. It serves no purpose to undergo chemo-sensitivity analysis, if the patient is not well enough to tolerate therapy.
The best time to get the right therapy, is the first time. But, the assay can still be done, no matter how many previous treatments you have received.
If you have questions regarding any of the above criteria, please contact Patient Relations at 562.989.6455. We are also available to discuss the benefits of the assay, address financial issues and coordinate specimen transportation.
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The Laughter
was Non-stop! | |
Cancer is Not Contagious,
But Laughter Is!
The dinner and comedy event to benefit The Vanguard Cancer Foundation (VCF) was a huge success. The crowd of 379 laughed themselves silly and enjoyed the wonderful dinner at Stevens Steak & Seafood House.
 The founder of the VCF, Loretta Stamos and her ever-popular son, John, were in attendance as they both continue to support this worthy cause.
Hats off to Jim Filipan for planning such a wonderful evening and to the entire  Filipan family for their generosity in supporting the good work of the VCF.
The event raised $52,934.57, which allows the VCF to provide grants to those patients needing financial assistance, and to increase awareness of assay-directed therapy.
The Filipan family has committed to a repeat performance in 2012, so stay tuned for the announcement.
If you missed seeing the photos taken by the talented Shelly Castellano, they are posted on our Facebook Page. If you want to order a photo reprint, visit Shelly's website.
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