The University of Arizona Cancer Center’s molecular tumor board, is broadening its focus to include more types of tumors to deliver personalized cancer care through precision medicine.
The molecular tumor board is a team of multidisciplinary experts, including clinical and basic scientists, bioinformaticians. They meet regularly to discuss unique cases in which a patient has a rare tumor or when there is not a safe and obvious treatment option. The aim is to bring a wealth of expertise to the table for a collaborative approach to delivering personalized cancer care through precision medicine.
Hani Babiker, MD, director of phase I clinical trials, is the newest chair for the board’s leadership committee. Dr. Babiker is joined on the committee by Michael Hammer, PhD, Ryan Sprissler, PhD, Abhijeet Kumar, MD, and Hina Arif-Tiwari, MD.
While the Cancer Center’s molecular tumor board has been in place since it was first piloted in 2016, Dr. Babiker and the committee are expanding the criteria for which they select cases. Previously, rare tumors have been the focus of discussion by the board. Now with a revamped phase I clinical trials program and promising research on novel targeted therapies, the board will begin considering cases on all types of tumors. Particular attention will be given to refractory tumors, or those that are not responding to current treatments.
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