Why Can't Other Top Cancer Centers Offer Envita's Precision Oncology Options?

In standard cancer treatment today, typically patients are not being given precision medicine. Dr. Dino Prato and Dr. John Oertle explain how they offer this innovative and leading-edge oncology care by overcoming the barriers that limit its practice in standard cancer centers and hospitals.

Most conventional oncologists are not trained in this area of precision oncology, and newer technologies in oncology care are slow to be adopted. According to cancer research studies like, the Duke University Molecular Tumor Board: Tackling Barriers to Precision Cancer Medicine- writing in January 2022 - Despite the availability of genomic testing and its potential to help clinicians match patients to targeted therapy, recent data show that many patients are not receiving evidence-based biomarker testing that can connect them to appropriate FDA-approved therapies or innovative clinical trials.

Beyond the Standard Treatment Options

To overcome this disparity in access to precision oncology, our care teams at Envita Medical Centers and Center of Excellence follow precision oncology for every patient. However, typically patients are not allowed access to precision care options as their first line of treatment at major cancer care facilities in the Unites States. Access to precision oncology treatment options is allowed only to patients who fail to respond to their first line of treatment, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) guidelines, which dictate patient care at standard specialty healthcare centers.

The NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) guidelines are based on the stage and type of cancer, but these one-size-fits-all protocols may not work for all cancer patients. Cancer patients with the same type and stage of cancer do not always experience similar outcomes, despite going through the same cancer therapies, which highlights the need for precision oncology treatment options.

At Envita, every patient gets access to precision oncology treatment options right from the beginning of care. Each of our health care providers, irrespective of their clinical experience, take approximately 1,500 hours of training and about one year of observation to become proficient in Envita's unique genomic molecular targeting, immunotherapy oncology, and precision informatics algorithms. These algorithms have been developed over the last two decades of clinical practice, which involved treating late-stage cancer patients, many of whom were refractory to standard treatments in other cancer institutions.

Detailed Genomic Tests, Crucial for Precision Oncology

Our cutting-edge approach to treat cancer relies on utilizing appropriate therapeutics based on the bioinformatics data revealed through each patient's detailed genomic testing. And we have been following this unique approach for over two decades now, which puts us ahead of the curve in precision oncology, based on our clinical experiences and public literature on the current state of oncology.

Bringing the Latest Cancer Research into Clinical Practice

We believe that cancer is not simply a disease of tissue or organs, but it is a disease of messaging, micro-environment, immunity, biomarkers and signature hallmark evasion of death by cancer cells. Though some conventionally trained oncologists may believe these areas are novel and investigatory, published literature highlights the contrary. According to Weinberg, Hallmarks of Cancer, cancer cells abilities include sustaining proliferative signaling, evading growth suppressors, resisting cell death, enabling replicative immortality, inducing/accessing vasculature, activating invasion and metastasis, reprogramming cellular metabolism, and avoiding immune destruction. Envita's treatment approach considers all these factors, and approaches cancer with detailed information, giving our patients the advantage.

The findings from NIH (National Institute of Health) funded I-PREDICT clinical trial, also reveal that analyzing a tumor's unique genetic and molecular profile provided enough information to recommend individualized combination therapies to patients. Even the NIH-funded studies are doing what we are doing here at Envita, which explains why we are able to help optimize patient outcomes in certain late-stage patients, who were refractory to care in standard treatment facilities. Optimal patient outcomes include improvement in quality of life, increase in longevity, and reduction of toxicities and side effects, typically associated with standard cancer treatment options.

However, Envita's unique approach of care is still not available in standard cancer treatment facilities because they still do not have the infrastructure required to roll out this level of care. Our unique precision integrative oncology combines leading-edge conventional medicine with research-based integrative medicine and natural therapies. In our clinical experience, this approach has proven beneficial in late-stage as well as early-stage cancers, as it helps to identify and proactively treat early signs of metastatic spread. We are proud and honored to have the ability to be forward thinking in our care approach.

Looking for a fresh approach to cancer treatment? Our dedicated team of oncologists, interventional radiologists, researchers, and pharmacists is here to help. With specialized training in our personalized precision approach, we're committed to providing you with a unique treatment experience. By merging cutting-edge research-based naturopathic and conventional therapies, we aim to maximize your chances of a positive response to care. If you or a loved one is battling cancer or a chronic disease, reach out to us today at 866-830-4576. May God bless you on your journey to healing.