Researchers from the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, along with colleagues from Fox Chase Cancer Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center at the University of Washington, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, presented data from the HCRN GU15-217 study, also known as UC-GENOME: Urothelial Cancer-GENOmic Analysis to iMprove Patient Outcomes and rEsearch, during the AACR Annual Meeting 2021.

A collaborative bladder cancer genomic analysis and biorepository study, led by Matthew I. Milowsky, MD (pictured), of UNC Lineberger and supported by the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN), UC-GENOME is helping researchers better understand the genomic profile of bladder cancer to facilitate the development of novel treatments. Next generation sequencing was performed on patient’s tumors for potential clinical decision-making at no cost to the patients and a rich clinically annotated biorepository was developed for collaborative research efforts.

Investigators reported on the targeted DNA and total RNA sequencing along with integrated molecular and clinical modeling of benefit to therapy. Researchers say future efforts will leverage the clinical, DNA, and RNAseq data along with other biobanked specimens for collaborative research initiatives.

Authors of the study include Jeffrey S. Damrauer, Jeff Klomp, Wolfgang Beck, Mi Zhou, Elizabeth Plimack, Matthew Galsky, Petros Grivas, Noah Hahn, Peter O’Donnell, Gopa Iyer, David I. Quinn, Katherine A. Hoadley, William Y. Kim, and Matthew I. Milowsky.

See abstract.

About Hoosier Cancer Research Network:

Hoosier Cancer Research Network (formerly known as Hoosier Oncology Group) conducts innovative cancer research in collaboration with academic and community physicians and scientists across the United States. The organization provides comprehensive clinical trial management and support, from conception through publication. Created in 1984 as a program of the Walther Cancer Institute, Hoosier Cancer Research Network became an independent nonprofit clinical research organization in 2007. Since its founding, Hoosier Cancer Research Network has conducted more than 230 trials in a variety of cancer types and supportive care, resulting in more than 350 publications. More than 9,000 subjects have participated in Hoosier Cancer Research Network clinical trials.