
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. Early detection poses challenges, and the efficacy of treatment remains limited, often accompanied by adverse effects. Timothy Rajakumar, vice president of medical sciences at Hummingbird Diagnostics, explains how their research of small RNA (sRNA) molecules in whole blood can assist oncologists in monitoring all stages of lung cancer while identifying patients for targeted immunotherapy and personalized treatment strategies.
Only about 30% of patients with late-stage lung cancer will achieve a positive response to immunotherapy.
Timothy Rajakumar, Vice President of Medical Sciences, Hummingbird Diagnostics
The challenge in detecting cancer early has been high enough sensitivity.
Timothy Rajakumar, Vice President of Medical Sciences, Hummingbird Diagnostics
The combined analysis of both tumor- and immune derived signals allows us to achieve the required sensitivity that we need for a screening test.
Timothy Rajakumar, Vice President of Medical Sciences, Hummingbird Diagnostics
We now have this direct functional link between our biomarkers and the drug whose efficacy we're trying to predict.
Timothy Rajakumar, Vice President of Medical Sciences, Hummingbird Diagnostics
January 2024
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References:
- NCI Press Office. New treatments spur sharp reduction in lung cancer mortality rate. National Cancer Institute. 2020 Aug
- Rajakumar T. Brief Report: A Blood-Based MicroRNA Complementary Diagnostic Predicts Immunotherapy Efficacy in Advanced-Stage NSCLC With High Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Expression JTO Clinical Research and Reports. 2022 Aug; 3(8): 100369.
- Sikosek T. Early Detection of Lung Cancer Using Small RNAs Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 2023 July; 10.1016