Foundation for Individualized Advanced Treatment

Ever wonder what Live Tissue Science is? Companies who specialize in live tissue science work with the individual patient to take ownership of their tumor tissue prior to biopsy. After biopsy/surgery, a tissue sample is taken and is kept in a live, this sample is shipped to an offsite lab where the tissue sample is grown into an organoid. This organoid is then tested against a panel of up to 350 drugs to determine which ones are effective on the patient’s individual tumor. A report is sent back to the patient and treating physician showing the drug panel review and providing the treatment team with a list of drugs that actually work against their tumor. The patient can be immediately put on a treatment that is effective. This process takes approximately 4-8 weeks and can be administered at the patient’s local healthcare facility.

In addition to the immediate use of utilizing the tissue for drug panel testing, the patient’s tissue will continue to be stored in live state for the future benefit of the patient and can be used in future drug panels as new drugs are developed. This process allows the tumor to be the guinea pig instead of the patient, saving the patient from going from toxic treatment after treatment to see what drug might work for them. This process can be done from any medical facility across the country.

Live tissue science has been used in other countries but is just now starting to be used in the United States. It is the next step in cancer treatment to replace our current standard of care. It appears that live tissue science can also be effective in treating diseases other than cancer and our Foundation has been established to support the research behind this expanded use.