Ragnhild Vigdis Langli, a 70-year-old woman from Norway, has transformed her outlook on life after receiving tailored chemotherapy for her advanced cancer. Just a few months ago, Langli was preparing for her own funeral, believing she had little time left after being diagnosed with incurable metastatic bowel cancer. Now, following innovative treatment selected through laboratory testing, her cancer has shrunk by half, allowing her to embrace life once again.
Langli’s journey began this spring when doctors diagnosed her with aggressive cancer that had spread to her liver and lymph nodes. As her prognosis seemed grim, she participated in a groundbreaking study at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). She became the first patient at St. Olavs Hospital to receive chemotherapy chosen through a new laboratory test specifically for bowel cancer. This personalized approach provides hope, as the treatment may not cure her cancer but aims to improve her quality of life.
A New Approach to Treatment
The innovative research project at NTNU focuses on determining the most effective first-line treatment for metastatic bowel cancer. According to Åsmund Flobak, a senior consultant at St. Olavs Hospital and professor at NTNU, this personalized treatment strategy is designed to maximize patient comfort and extend life. Patients like Langli can look forward to more precious moments with loved ones, such as enjoying coffee together in the mornings and engaging in simple activities like solving crosswords.
Flobak emphasized the harsh realities of chemotherapy. “Chemotherapy is a very harsh treatment,” he explained, noting that while it targets cancer cells, it also affects healthy cells, leading to significant side effects. These effects often necessitate hospital admissions, not just for the cancer itself but due to the treatment’s severity.
Precision Medicine in Action
Flobak’s research involves a meticulous catalog of cancer cells collected from over a hundred patients, all of whom have generously donated their tumors for study. By analyzing how these cells respond to various chemotherapy doses, researchers hope to identify the most effective treatment for each patient. Traditionally, cancer treatments have been determined through trial and error, leading to delays that can adversely affect patient outcomes.
Langli’s experience with chemotherapy has been relatively manageable so far. “I wasn’t very optimistic. That is why I feel so happy when things go well,” she said, reflecting on her improved condition. Although she has experienced weight loss and some hair thinning, she has regained her appetite and started exercising, proving that hope can flourish even in challenging circumstances.
Future Research Aims
At St. Olavs Hospital, three categories of patients are seen by cancer specialists: those with operable bowel cancer, those requiring chemotherapy post-surgery, and those with incurable metastatic cancer. Currently, efforts are focused on enrolling patients from the latter group into Flobak’s research project, with a goal of reaching 133 participants. So far, three patients have joined the study, all eager to contribute to advancing cancer treatment.
Looking ahead, Flobak plans to incorporate artificial intelligence into the research process during the next phase. “Everyone likes to help people, and I am no exception,” he stated, highlighting the emotional toll of addressing terminal diagnoses. He finds solace in knowing that both he and his patients are striving for the best possible treatment options available.
The research initiatives, known as the PRESORT study and COSENSE-1 study, represent a collaborative effort between St. Olavs Hospital, NTNU, and the Research Area of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine at SINTEF. These studies aim to enhance the precision of cancer treatment, ultimately improving the lives of patients facing dire diagnoses.
As Langli looks forward to the future, she remains hopeful. “I hope I can live a little longer. A few more years, not just days,” she said, expressing her Christmas wish for continued improvement in her condition. Her story serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for medical advancements to change lives.
