Dr. Grilley-Olson on Treating Patients Based on Molecular Profile

Juneko Grilley-Olson, MD, assistant professor, UNC-Chapel Hill, Clinical Research, Thoracic Oncology Program, Head and Neck Oncology Program, Bone and Soft Tissue Oncology Program, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses treating patients with cancer based on their molecular profile.

Grilley-Olson, an investigator on the NCI-MATCH trial, says treating patients based on their molecular profile has its challenges, though there has been benefit. For example, patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma and EGFR-mutated non—small cell lung cancer generally respond to targeted inhibition.

However, this is more elusive for patients with a PIK3CA mutation receiving agents that target the PI3K pathway, since they do not always respond. As researchers discover more information about patients’ corresponding profiles, they may be able to learn more about signals in particular patient populations.