Last May we had told you about an initiative at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, designed — initially — to generate a comprehensive database of advanced prostate cancer treatment results based on the genetics of individual patients and their tumors.
This week, the Broad Institute is formally launching the Metastatic Prostate Cancer Project — a genomic research initiative that will let any patient with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer — initially in the USA or Canada — sign up as a participating contributor. Over time it is hoped to be able to expand enrollment in this study to patients from other nations around the world.
The project will help scientists understand the germline and the tumor genetics of advanced and metastatic prostate cancer in relation to treatment responses. The project’s aggregate findings and de-identified data will be made available to all the study’s participants (which could include you) — as well as to prostate cancer researchers worldwide.
The goal is simple: to accelerate discoveries that could help you and other men with advanced forms of prostate cancer by accelerating the development of new, future therapies.
The project is directed and funded by the Broad Institute together with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, with active support from a growing spectrum of prostate cancer research, advocacy, and patient support organizations.
The project is designed to generate the most comprehensive database of advanced prostate cancer treatment results based on the genetics of individual men and their tumors.
If you have advanced metastatic prostate cancer, or your cancer has left your prostate gland, you can help the Broad Institute to move our understanding of treatment options, sequencing, and best medical practices ahead. It does not matter if you were diagnosed with advanced metastatic prostate cancer or if you failed a primary treatment and had a recurrence.
If you think you are interested in participating in this project there are four simple steps:
- Learn more about the project.
- Click on the “Count Me In” link to complete a short online form to tell the project coordinators about yourself and your prostate cancer.
- Grant permission for the project coordinators to collect your samples and your data from your doctors.
- You will be directed to an online consent form so that you can give your permission to collect your samples and data.
- You will be sent a saliva kit and a blood kit.
- The project coordinators will do the rest; they’ll contact your doctors and hospitals to securely obtain copies of your medical records and a portion of your stored tumor samples.
- Learn along the way.
- The project managers will provide you with regular updates and share discoveries coming out of the project.
- They may also get back to you to ask you additional questions about your experience to help with future studies.
Prostate Cancer International is an active partner in and supporter of this important research initiative. We encourage as many men with advanced prostate cancer as possible to say “Yes” to the “Count Me In” request, and to give something invaluable to prostate cancer research. We believe that your samples and your medical information can and will be used for transformative genomic studies that will ultimately lead to a better understanding and faster advances in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Filed under: Living with Prostate Cancer | Tagged: Broad, genomic, Instititute, research, study |
THE "NEW" PROSTATE CANCER INFOLINK 
I’ll be opting in. I’m advanced (Stage IV) myself, currently being treated with bicalutamide and Lupron Depot since the beginning of November. It does not appear Medicare will allow the addition of abiraterone and prednisone to my care at age 71. My city-sponsored Medicare Complement Care Plan administered by Tufts Health Plan may or may not cover a generic. My urologist’s plan of treatment is to go to an oncologist from here for radiologic treatment if the cancer sidesteps the hormone deprivation therapy. My initial PSA was 1323.03. As of December 14, it was 66.44. Fingers crossed.
I arranged to be “Counted In” today. Will be interested in any comments I may receive from those conducting the research.
Just a quick update … I understand that 84 men signed up to participate in this study yesterday. It would be nice to get to 250 by the end of the week!
:O)
Just signed up. Took about 15 to 20 minutes to give full consent, including blood or saliva samples and permission to obtain medical records.
Would it be too late for my husband to sign up?
He has mets to his bones and lymph nodes, has just finished docetaxel on 1/12, and is still on Lupron. PSA was 489 at start and last we checked was 3. Gleason 9 with some neuroendocrine differentiation. 48 years of age.
Dear heismypotter:
Not at all. You should encourage him to go right ahead!
:O)