How looking inside a cancer's DNA can add years to someone's life

Advances in cancer treatment, known as genomic profiling, are giving patients hope and potentially adding years to their lives. This technology allows doctors to tailor treatments based on an individual's unique DNA makeup, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. The Australian government has secured funding to expand access to genomic profiling, which will benefit an additional 25,000 Australians.

Emily Capper, diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable brain cancer at age 31, experienced firsthand the life-changing impact of genomic profiling. After her initial treatments failed, testing her tumour's DNA led to the discovery of a specific mutation, BRAF, that guided her to a targeted drug. This treatment has helped her cancer stop growing and is expected to shrink over time, allowing her to continue working and living life to the fullest.

Rob Zielenski, a leading medical oncologist, emphasizes that genomic profiling provides doctors with a "topographic map and a compass," helping them direct patients to the most effective treatments and avoid less beneficial therapies. This personalized approach has been shown to double survival rates for many patients.

Currently, Omico, a not-for-profit organization, is at the forefront of making genomic profiling accessible to Australians. Their services, which include free DNA testing and linking patients to suitable clinical trials, have supported over 30,000 individuals. With a recent $71 million investment from the federal government, Omico aims to continue this work for another three years, potentially helping more than 1,130 Australians reach five-year cancer survivorship.

While the technology holds great promise, limitations in funding and resources mean that only one in four patients with incurable solid tumors can currently benefit. This leaves thousands of Australians without access to personalized treatments, which can cost thousands of dollars per month and require private prescriptions. The government faces the challenge of making these expensive drugs available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to ensure affordability and equitable access.

Precision oncology also has the potential to streamline the healthcare system by making treatments more targeted and efficient. Currently, many therapies are applied broadly, hoping to benefit patients without a precise understanding of their unique genetic makeup. While the public health system is not yet equipped to test everyone, the benefits of precision oncology extend beyond individual patients, positively impacting the economy by reducing unnecessary expenditures on ineffective treatments.