State-of-the-art Gastrointestinal Cancer at The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute
Cancer of the digestive system or gastrointestinal cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer around the world. The CDC estimates over 330,000 new cases of gastrointestinal cancer to be diagnosed. At the Angeles Clinic and Research Institute our multidisciplinary team of experts and specialists are able to provide patients with the most up to date methods of care complemented with our state of the art diagnostic technology and available novel therapeutic options enhanced by collaboration with a world class Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology program. The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute Gastrointestinal program has been at the forefront of the Immuno-Oncology revolution in GI cancers. Our multidisciplinary team of specialists and clinicians have the experience, skills and resources to provide individualized therapy for every patient every time, anticipating their needs and helping guide them along each step of the way.
Recent breakthroughs in gastrointestinal oncology have focused on the development of targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Targeted therapies are drugs that are designed to target specific molecules or proteins that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. These therapies have been shown to be effective in treating certain types of gastrointestinal tumors, such as colorectal cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Dr. Vi K. Chiu MD PhD is the Director of the Gastrointestinal Oncology and Molecular Precision at our GI Cancer Center. His team and leadership efforts combined have been able to expand clinical trial opportunities for patients through national collaboration with international experts and organizations.
Our focus in gastrointestinal oncology is the identification and characterization of different subtypes of gastrointestinal tumors (Gastric, Esophageal, Pancreatic, Biliary, Colorectal) . For example, researchers have identified distinct subtypes of colorectal cancer based on their genetic and molecular characteristics, which could help to guide the development of more personalized treatment strategies prior to and after surgery
Immunotherapies, which are treatments that help the immune system fight cancer cells, have also shown promise in the treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. For example, checkpoint inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy, have been approved for the treatment of advanced melanoma, lung cancer, and other types of cancer, and are being studied in clinical trials for their effectiveness in treating gastrointestinal tumors. The most common form of immunotherapy used for GI cancer is the PD-1 inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and atezolizumab. Through our program we work to improve the benefit of these therapies through personalized markers and combination therapies through clinical trials.
In terms of specific tumor types, Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a rare type of cancer that affects the gastrointestinal tract, specifically the stomach and small intestine. It is often characterized by mutations in the KIT or PDGFRA genes and can be treated with targeted therapies such as imatinib, sunitinib and regorafenib.