The advent of genetics first and then of target therapy have been a revolution in the treatment of cancer. Knowing the genetic alterations typical of a neoplasm allows today in some cases to identify the most specific drugs, giving the possibility to increase the effectiveness of treatments and reduce side effects. From this point of view, therefore, tumor mutations become predictive biomarkers of drug response. From today, a single place is collected: ATLAS, an Italian database – created by Medica Publishing and Scientific Diffusion with the patronage of WALCE Onlus – which includes both information relating to the mutations found in clinical practice and in clinical studies. The ambition of ATLAS is to become a reference point for mutations, and related targeted treatments, in the field of solid tumors. Starting with lung cancer, one of the highest incidence cancers, with over 40,000 diagnoses in 2020.
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From genetics to the clinic
The aim of the project is not to build a database that photographs the genetic diversity of tumors, but above all their clinical value, considering the possibility of identifying the most appropriate treatments based on the alterations present, as explained by Giancarlo Troncone, Professor of Pathological Anatomy. at the University of Naples Federico II, member of the scientific board of the project: “Our database also provides clinical information associated with specific mutations and allows the doctor to direct the patient towards experiments suitable for that type of tumor. This turns out to be a concrete benefit for patients “.
The operation of ATLAS is simple. Upon registration, it is possible to consult the database by means of the mutation of interest. ATLAS responds by providing all clinical and research information on that mutation, aggregated by type of tumor (from the therapies used, to the characteristics of the population in which it was found, to the related clinical trials). And thus it becomes an indirect comparison tool between specialists, throughout the national territory.
Let’s start with lung cancer
“The world of precision oncology and molecular profiling is becoming more and more enriching, the amount of information to be managed is growing rapidly, with new data often in small subgroups of patients and not known to all oncologists, especially when it comes to of professionals not specifically dedicated to lung cancer – adds Silvia Novello, professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Turin and member of the scientific board of the platform – A platform such as ATLAS, which collects information on known and lesser known molecular alterations, allows the clinician , the pathologist and the molecular biologist to have access to aggregate information provided by other Italian centers quickly and easily “.
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Before being a tool to support the clinical evaluations of experts, the database is a research tool, which promotes collaboration between Italian centers – 7 that have already joined, but will become 20 by the end of the year – with one also look at the international scene. “Our system was developed following the international nomenclature criteria so the data can be compared with those of other nations for scientific purposes, always respecting the privacy of patients. Some of the mutations are rare and only by reaching a significant number of cases can we obtain relevant indications ”, explained Umberto Malapelle, head of the predictive molecular pathology laboratory of the Federico II University of Naples and member of the scientific board of ATLAS.