On Nov. 27, 2018, the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, a new clinical trial, opened across Canada. This was considered a major advancement in precision medicine for prostate cancer and the first of its kind in the world.

The IND.234 clinical trial, conducted by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG), uses liquid biopsy technology to screen for genomic markers in prostate cancer patients. Generous BC Cancer Foundation donors were instrumental in the initial funding of this trial, fostering research, innovation and now, a national launch.

After the liquid biopsy analysis, patients with specific DNA markers are assigned to one of five new therapies targeted at their unique form of prostate cancer. Researchers want to see if the markers identified in the screening process can help predict which patients will be helped the most by the targeted treatments.

Although tumour samples taken at diagnosis can be tested for DNA markers, in order to provide current genomic information patients would need an additional invasive biopsy – using a liquid biopsy to provide the information could remove the need for surgery.

IND.234 is the first trial that evaluates a precision medicine approach for patients with advanced prostate cancer using liquid biopsies for genomic testing. The trial was supported by a core grant from the Canadian Cancer Society, with the liquid biopsy testing supported by the BC Cancer Foundation and The Canadian Cancer Clinical Trials Network (3CTN) with liquid biopsy testing performed through the Vancouver Prostate Centre. Other partners contributed to specific treatment (drug) arms of the study.