About The Science: Personalized Cancer Treatment Through Functional Profiling

At the Nagourney Institute, we believe that every cancer is unique, and so should be its treatment. Our pioneering approach focuses on **functional profiling** using the **EVA-PCD assay** (Ex Vivo Analysis of Programmed Cell Death) to provide personalized cancer treatment strategies. This advanced technique directly analyzes how a patient's living tumor cells respond to various anti-cancer drugs, offering clarity and hope where standard approaches may fall short [so-1, so-3, so-4].

What is Functional Profiling and the EVA-PCD Assay?

Unlike conventional methods that often rely on statistical averages or genetic mutations, functional profiling directly measures the biological response of your unique cancer cells to a wide range of therapies. The EVA-PCD assay is at the heart of this process. It involves isolating living tumor cells from a patient and exposing them to up to sixteen different chemotherapy drugs, targeted agents, or combinations thereof, over three days [so-1].

Our scientists then meticulously evaluate drug-induced cell death through various analyses, distinguishing living cells from those that have succumbed to the treatment. This recreation of the tumor's natural microenvironment in the laboratory allows for real-time assessment of drug efficacy, providing invaluable insights into the most effective treatment pathways [so-1, so-4].

Why Functional Profiling is More Predictive

While genomic profiling identifies genetic mutations, it doesn't always predict how a tumor will react to a specific drug. Functional profiling, however, directly assesses the actual biological response of the cancer cells to drugs. This direct measurement is considered more predictive of clinical outcomes because it evaluates the tumor's real-time vulnerability to various agents, rather than inferring susceptibility from genetic data alone [so-3, so-4].

This distinction is critical for patients with difficult prognoses, as it helps oncologists prescribe agents with the highest probability of success, thereby avoiding ineffective and potentially toxic therapies [so-1, so-4].

Clinical Impact and Scientific Validation

The effectiveness of the EVA-PCD assay is not merely theoretical. Studies have demonstrated that using this method to select chemotherapy can significantly improve patient outcomes. For instance, in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the EVA-PCD assay has been shown to double response rates and markedly improve overall survival compared to standard protocols [so-2, so-3]. A Phase II trial reported a 64.5% response rate and a median overall survival of 21.3 months, a substantial improvement over the national average [so-2].

Dr. Robert Nagourney himself has been a key contributor to the scientific literature validating this approach, with publications such as "Functional analysis of human tumor response to signal transduction inhibitors: Ex vivo analysis of programmed cell death (EVA-PCD) in 1° culture microspheroids" [so-9]. The EVA-PCD assay is supported by over 20 years of research and more than 11,000 patient studies, establishing a robust database across various cancer types, including breast, ovarian, lung, and pancreatic cancers [so-3, so-4].

The Benefits for Patients

For patients and their families, the Nagourney Institute's functional profiling offers:

Please note: While the EVA-PCD assay offers significant advantages, it is not currently covered by Medicare and typically costs between $3,500 and $4,500 [so-1].

Take the Next Step

We invite you to explore how functional profiling can make a difference in your cancer journey. Contact us today to learn more about our innovative approach and to schedule a consultation.