Jeffery Weitzel, MD, director, Division of Clinical Cancer Genomics, Department of Population Sciences; director, Cancer Screening & Prevention Programs Network; director, Cancer Genomics Education Program; professor of medicine, Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research and Department of Population Sciences, City of Hope, discusses the identification of ​Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS).

Li-Fraumeni syndrome ​is a rare inherited familial predisposition to a multitude of cancers, says Weitzel. ​The syndrome is caused by a mutation in the 

Notably, this syndrome is associated with a severe phenotype ​and high prevalence in children and young adults under the age of 20, ​Weitzel explains. In children, LFS tends to cause brain tumors, adrenocortical carcinoma​s, and soft tissue or bone sarcomas.

Conversely, in young adults, LFS is associated with early onset breast cancer​; however, for patients over 30 years of age, this syndrome is less problematic, Weitzel concludes.

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Jeffery Weitzel, MD, discusses the identification of ​Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

Dr. Weitzel on the Identification of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome 

Jeffrey N. Weitzel, MD, Chief of the Division of Clinical Cancer Genetics at City of Hope, discusses the need to develop combination strategies for patients with breast cancer, in order to overcome the resistance mechanisms that are often caused by tumor heterogeneity.

Researchers are discovering that breast cancer is comprised of several genetics subsets and not just one monomorphic population of cells. As a result, targeting just one subset will eventually lead to resistance, as secondary mutations become prevalent.

To combat this heterogeneity, novel combinations of therapies will be needed that take advantage of genomic technologies. Weitzel describes this as an exciting era in personalized medicine as new therapies are researched that can be given in combination to overcome resistance.

As an example, Weitzel describes what has been witnessed while researching PARP inhibitors. As single agents, they show promising responses that are followed by resistance. In this setting, there is a clear need to understand the resistance mechanisms in order to create effective combination strategies.

Jeffrey N. Weitzel, MD, from City of Hope, discusses the need to develop combination strategies for patients with breast cancer, in order to overcome the resistance.

Jeffrey N. Weitzel, MD

Articles

Dr. Weitzel on the Identification of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome

Dr. Weitzel on Combination Therapies in Breast Cancer