NCI - MATCH Clinical Trial

We are now exploring options for Gwohann's future treatment, in hope to prevent brain mets from re-surfacing.  

My high school friend, Dr. Liwen Lai is a research medicine professor specializing in clinical genetics in U of Arizona.  She suggested that we look into the new Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice trial initiated by NCI (NCI-MATCH) last month.  This trial will help determine which therapy will be more effective based on the molecular profile of the tumor.

http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/nci-supported/nci-match

We have done Molecular Intelligence Testing through Caris in Feb. 2014, which found out that Gwohann is EGFR mutation positive and also suggested a list of chemo drugs that maybe effective.  As a result, we have been using most of the recommended chemo drugs.  The NCI-MATCH assay will be more comprehensive than the Caris test because it includes T790 mutation test (gene mutation after taking Tarceva), which Gwohann was not tested before.  I have checked with Dr. Dormady about this NCI-MATCH,  he thinks the trial looks interesting and suggested to explore further. However I found out today from PAMF that if Gwohann is eligible for the trial, we will have to establish care with the clinical testing sites for the trial, such as PAMF and Mills Hospital in our area.  El Camino Hospital, Stanford and UCSF are not the clinical sites for this trial.  This will mean Dr. Dormady (El Camino Hospital) can not oversee the treatment for us, and we will need to change to an oncologist in PAMF.  This will be a tough decision because we trust Dr. Dormady and have been pleased with the services provide by his team.

Fresh biopsy sample will be needed to enter the trial, meaning Gwohann needs to have his chest punctured again to take a specimen.  Furthermore, patient can not have any chemo or targeted therapy for one month ("wash out" period) before the biopsy can be taken.  Coincidentally Gwohann has stopped chemo therapy while undergoing the WBRT, therefore he will meet the wash out period.  While this may look promising, we need to keep in mind that almost every clinical trial requires fresh biopsy sample, hence we need to find out which of the hundreds of clinical trials will be our best option because we can't afford to take repeated biopsy and the wash out period without treatment can be dangerous.  To make the matter complicated, every trial is administered by different hospitals, so we will need to contact each hospital one by one, and go through the qualification process.  I would like to count on Dr. Dormady to find the right trial for us, but he has indicated that he would like to reserve clinical trials as the last resolve.  As a clinical oncologist, he prefers to use the standard treatment (chemo) before taking risk of the clinical trials.  

I have asked the oncology NP Katie at El Camino to send the lastest scan reports to PAMF Tanya (408) 730-6122
fax number: (408) 746-9095.   Will follow up next week to determine the next step. 
PAMF trial coordinator Tanya commented that PAMF has no radiology department but Mills does, so for comprehensive care, Mills maybe a better choice for us.  Need to make decision about that as well.

10/26/25
Mills Hospital replied today (650)696-4814
9 out of the 10 arms are oral treatment.  Fresh biopsy sample is required. Mills Hospital hires California Cancer Care oncologist Dr. Kent Adler to oversees trial care.  Mills also has a radiologist for brain care.  As of today, Gwohann after praying, decides not to pursue the trial.
Nevertheless, we will discuss with Dr. Dormady about this trial when we meet him on Nov. 5