The battle with advanced gastroesophageal cancer is a disease known for its aggressive and intimidating survival rates, and is in the middle of a transformative breakthrough. As the veil about cancer complexity gradually fades, revealing intricate mosaics of genetic diversity has thus promoted motivation towards more personalized and effective treatments. The forefront of this pursuit is a pioneering exploration of genetic complexity that shapes patients’ response to monoclonal antibodies, a class of anti-cancer drugs. This study predicts a promising future for specific genetic markers, especially in the FcγRIIIA gene, in which case cancer treatment becomes as unique as each patient’s DNA. It is a future full of new hope, drawing a lesson for a more targeted and nuanced way to conquer gastric cancer, one at a time a genetic insight.
Advanced gastroesophageal cancer presents important obstacles in the field of cancer care due to its aggressiveness and challenges associated with improving patient survival. In an innovative study, Dr. Anthony Serritella and Dr. Nicholas Grewal of Northwestern University have made significant progress towards customized cancer therapies. Their study, published in the prestigious Journal of the European Society of Medical Oncology, examines carefully how genetic differences affect the success of specific immune-promoting drugs in the treatment of this type of cancer.
The core of their research is to study how these immune-promoting drugs interact with the body’s natural killer cells through the process that helps these drugs target and eliminate cancer cells. One focus is the changes in specific genes of these cells. “Patients with certain genetic variants respond better to these immunotherapy,” Dr. Serritella shared. This insight emphasizes the importance of using genetic information to improve treatment outcomes in patients facing this type of cancer.
The team found that this genetic impact was thoroughly detailed. They looked at blood samples from patients participating in clinical trials, as well as other patients who were treated in their institutions. By using a technique called PCR, they identified specific genetic variants associated with better responses to these immunotherapy. “Our findings highlight the value of using genetic information to tailor cancer treatment,” commented Dr. Grewal.
Further analysis compared the survival rates of patients with different genetic variants within three years. This comparison suggests that patients with certain genetic characteristics survive longer. “The important role of this immune process in the effectiveness of these drugs suggests that improving this response may be a way to improve patient outcomes,” added Dr. Serritella.
This study not only provides new insights into genetic factors that may determine the effectiveness of immunotherapy in advanced gastroesophageal cancer, but also paves the way for personalized medicine. “Identifying patients who may respond well to these treatments based on their genetic characteristics allows doctors to customize therapies more effectively,” concluded Dr. Grewal. This marks the survival rate of patients who are struggling with this challenging disease. and significant improvements in quality of life. Ultimately, Dr. Serritella, Dr. Grewal and his team’s efforts provide a beacon of hope for personalized cancer care. Their study elucidates the genetic factors that influence the success of immunotherapy in advanced gastroesophageal cancer and opens up new avenues for the development of more focused and effective therapeutic strategies.
Journal Reference
Anthony V. Serritella et al., “Evaluation of the Effect of FcγRIIIA Single Nucleotide Polymorphism on the Effect of IGG1 Monoclonal Antibody on Patients with Advanced Gastroesophageal Medicine Adenocarcinoma” doi.org/10.1016/j.esmogo.2023.08.011.
About the author
Dr. Serritella is a third-year Hematology/Medical Oncology Fellow in the Department of Hematology/Oncology at Northwestern University, Chicago. He will graduate in June 2024 before starting as an assistant professor of medical oncology, covering reproductive and thoracic malignant tumors at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in September 2024.
Dr. Serritella received her bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Chicago in 2006. He completed his bachelor’s preparatory course in 2010 at John Hopkins University. In 2017, he received his MD from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He completed his internship and internal medicine residency at the University of Chicago in June 2020.
Dr. Serritella is the first author or co-author of 18 peer-reviewed publications, several of which have conducted high-impact professional journals and 11 poster presentations at national conferences such as the ASCO and ASCO Genitiorinary Symposium. He also received the American Cancer Research Methods from the American Society of Clinical Oncology/American Cancer Research Methods in the summer of 2022, and he has developed a treatment for resistant castrate castrate resistant prostate cancer for novel immunotherapy. He is the winner of the 2023 ASCO Youth Fellow Award.
He also has a unique background because he was in the business world before attending medical school. Dr. Serritella worked in San Francisco for the Bluecross Blueshield Association and a technology-centric investment banking company, before deciding to attend medical school. By the way, during her medical school, Dr. Serritella had a unique opportunity to become a health journalist at NBC News in New York City. He has written 7 different articles for electronic media describing current events in health, including the development of updated prostate cancer screening guidelines, health policy reforms, and FDA approval of newly developed drugs. He has also helped produce numerous TV shows for NBC Nightly News broadcast and on the Today Show, which explains the current health problems of patients and consumers.
