Faces of Technology
Fighting Cancer
with Genomics
For 13 years, scientists worked tirelessly on the
Human Genome Project to discover the billions
of DNA sequence combinations possible in one
genome. When the indings were released in
2003, Tampa’s CvergenX Chief Scientiic Oficer
Javier Torres-Roca, M.D., was among millions
around the world who knew science would
never be the same.
Torres-Roca was new to the H. Lee Mofitt
Cancer Center team when the indings were
released. He wanted to ind a way to apply the
revolutionary genome research to his work.
“It appeared to me that it was going to be
critically important to incorporate genomics into
radiation oncology,” he said.
According to the American Cancer Society,
the majority of all cancer patients receive the
same standard radiation therapy. However,
the range of cancer tumors that exist and their
reactions to radiation can be dramatically
different. Each tumor contains unique DNA
and, just like a ingerprint, no two are alike.
“Today, radiation is a one-size-its-all therapy,”
said Torres-Roca, now an associate member
and director of research in the Department of
Radiation Oncology at Mofitt Cancer Center,
and associate professor of oncologic sciences
in the University of South Florida’s College of
Medicine. “But treating two different tumors
with the same radiation dose is wrong. We
need more variation and personalization based
on each patient.”
Javier F. Torres-Roca,
M.D.
Chief Scientiic Oficer (CSO)
CvergenX Inc. | www.cvergenx.com
Education: M.D., University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
Residency, University of California, Irvine Medical Center
Research Fellowships, Institute Pasteur (Paris) & Stanford
University
Company: CvergenX uses a unique molecular signature to identify
speciic differences in tumor radiosensitivity. This
novel discovery, central to the company’s patented
Radiosensitivity Index (RSI), provides radiation oncologists
the irst opportunity to adapt treatment and dose to genetic
characteristics of speciic tumors, and to personalize and
optimize radiation treatment planning and therapy.
Torres-Roca partnered with Steven A.
Eschrich, Ph.D., CvergenX co-founder and
scientiic director of biomedical informatics at
Mofitt Cancer Center, to research genomic
applications in radiation therapy. The result of
their research is the patented Radiosensitivity
Index (RSI), owned by Mofitt Cancer Center
and licensed to CvergenX.
a patient’s unique genetic characteristics. With this personalized approach,
Torres-Roca is conident they can increase the likelihood of more positive
patient outcomes.
RSI technology is the irst of its kind. Using a
special algorithm, it helps doctors predict
the success of radiation therapy based on
Torres-Roca’s passion for scientiic discovery and innovation motivated him to
overcome all obstacles with the technology and hopes it will one day open the
door to new cancer treatments. To him, not knowing the outcome and trying
anyway for the chance to change the world is powerful.
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CvergenX is already making radiation a viable option for patients who would
have otherwise not been considered good candidates. It also helps oncologists
determine why radiation may be effective or ineffective for different patients,
with the potential to solve cases of extreme resistance in the future.