The history of oncology is rife with reports of patients with advanced cancer who staged miraculous recoveries. Now scientists are starting to use sophisticated DNA sequencing technology to determine if these "exceptional responders" carry gene variations that can lead to new treatment approaches, better targeted therapies or even the re- emergence of experimental drugs once deemed failures.
"What was yesterday's miracle event is today becoming a subject of scientific inquiry," said Leonard Lichtenfeld, an oncologist for 42 years who is deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society.
As many as 10 percent of patients respond well in clinical trials to experimental medicines that end up being rejected for approval by U.S. regulators, according to the National Cancer Institute. A handful of initial studies have already produced promising data showing why some patients have exceptional responses to drugs that do not work for others.