Genomics for rare cancers
We believe every person’s cancer is as unique as their fingerprint. As knowledge about cancer has increased, new possibilities in treatment have emerged that can be far more targeted, reduce unnecessary side effects and be more effective. Genomic profiling can identify specific targets within a person’s unique cancer, and personalised treatments can be offered to target the cancer with less impact on healthy cells.
The benefits for people diagnosed with rare cancers are profound. Often, people with rare cancers have limited treatment options, but genomic profiling can uncover a biomarker that suggests new potential treatments and offers real hope.
You can read more in our 2023 Rarefication: Personalised medicine in the genomic revolution report and the Advancing genomic-led cancer care in Australia summary report from our 2024 Genomics Policy Roundtable Series.
The Precision Oncology Screening Platform Enabling Clinical Trials (PrOSPeCT)
PrOSPeCT is the largest cancer genomics initiative in Australia.
Over 27 months, PrOSPeCT will provide free comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) to 23,000 Australians with advanced or incurable cancers and identify potential matches to clinical trials of new precision therapies.
PrOSPeCT is an initiative led by Omico to accelerate access to precision oncology for Australians. Precision oncology refers to using genomic technology to detect the unique genetic and molecular variations in a person’s cancer in order to identify clinical trials of new targeted treatments that can specifically address those variations to improve patient outcomes.
The initiative opens up new treatment paths across Australia for people with advanced or incurable cancers.
How it works
- Referral for CGP profiling: Australians living with advanced or incurable cancers are referred by their treating oncologist to CaSP, PrOSPeCT’s cancer screening program
- Identify new treatment options: A team of experts review the CGP results and patient information and provide a report back to the treating oncologist, including any new precision treatments and clinical trials running in Australia that could be appropriate for the patient. The referring doctor discusses these options with the patient and can facilitate access to these options.
What is CaSP?
CaSP is the Cancer Screening Program associated with PrOSPeCT.
CaSP enables access to comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) for 23,000 patients in Australia with incurable or advanced cancer, at no cost to the patient. The results are then reviewed by Omico’s Molecular Oncology Board, which provides a report to the referring clinician, including potential matches for patients to new precision treatments and clinical trials.