Translational research gathers information about a condition and creates potent new therapy possibilities by using insights from fundamental science or patient settings.
Hematologist and oncologist Margaret von Mehren, MD, clarified that the phrase “translational” is crucial. “The goal of translational research is to take scientific discoveries and turn them into knowledge that can advance therapy.”
This is particularly crucial in the case of cancer.
Chemotherapy is one of the common cancer treatments that has a broad effect. By interfering with the growth and division of cancer cells, they cause their death. More effective and focused therapies can be found with the aid of translational research.
According to Dr. von Mehren, “genetic abnormalities are the primary cause of cancer.” “By identifying these abnormalities, we can better understand the biology of various cancers and create more targeted treatments to control or cure them.”
The operation of translational research
How does translational research actually work?
The fundamental finding of genetic alterations for a certain form of cancer may be the first step. That’s what happened when a research team started studying a kind of cancers that Dr. von Mehren treats called gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). These results were utilized in translational trials to see whether a targeted medication may prolong the lives of individuals with certain mutations, and it did.
According to Dr. von Mehern, “patients lived an average of five years with the drug compared to one year without it.” “It changed how they were treated.”
Additionally, translational research might return to the lab from the clinic. Translational studies were conducted to determine why doctors observed that a certain lung cancer medication appeared to help just a subset of patients.
According to Dr. von Mehren, “by working backwards, researchers found specific mutations in some receptors, and patients who had those mutations had dramatic responses to the drug.”
Icura conducts translational research
You’ll be treated by doctors who specialize in this ground-breaking kind of research if you go to a comprehensive cancer center like Icura. Additionally, it may increase your access to state-of-the-art information and treatment, such as new treatments and more translational clinical studies.
In order to overcome medication resistance discovered in clinical trials, Dr. von Mehren is presently working on a study that examines combination therapy for gastrointestinal stromal tumors. “Our goal is to pinpoint a particular pathway and utilize an inhibitor to obstruct it,” she stated.
In genitourinary tumors, other icura researchers are searching for certain biomarkers that influence the way patients react to treatment. Additionally, there are constantly new translational trials being conducted for various forms of cancer.
All of this gives patients additional alternatives for treatment.
Dr. von Mehren stated, “Our goal is not only to deliver high-quality care, but also to see if we can contribute to the development of the next therapies that will benefit those with cancer.”
