THE SJK RALSTON
‘Bench to Bedside’ Project

The aim of The SJK Ralston ‘Bench to Bedside’ Project is to continue to fund CUP research at the Josep Carreras Institute in Barcelona with world leading cancer researcher Dr Manel Esteller ‘Bench’ and to support access for patients in Ireland to precision oncology and targeted treatments through the National Molecular Board at Cancer Trials Ireland ‘Bedside’

 SJK are delighted to support the National Molecular Tumour Board led by Dr Dearbhaile Collins and Cancer Trials Ireland and are members of the steering committee.

Molecular Tumour Boards are a specific type of multi-disciplinary tumour board meeting where patients whom have undergone next generation sequencing (NGS) of their tumour tissue can have their results discussed by a group of experts to investigate if there are any actionable mutations found. With this information the experts can discuss the patients treatment options, potential targeted therapies and or access to clinical trials.

For patients with cancer of unknown primary and unusual cancers, genetic profiling offers a vital opportunity for targeted treatment. Studies have shown that relevant mutations are observed in 30-85% of patients with cancer of unknown primary.

SJK are currently funding many research projects including the revolutionary research into CUP with Dr Manel Esteller at the Josep Carreras Institute Barcelona. To date we have funded studies including the CUPP-On and ST-CUP studies, identifying novel therapeutic opportunities in CUP’s, studying spatial transcriptomics, integrating histology with massive RNA sequencing. The next project we are funding will take advantage of the spatial transcriptomics information they have pioneered and aim to tackle two main issues; identify the tumour origin and reveal therapeutic opportunities, much needed for patients with cancer of unknown primary.

Genomic profiling is opening up access to clinical trials and access to revolutionary new treatments; unfortunately, despite these benefits, the transition to personalised medicine is slow. At SJK we are advocating and fundraising for urgent access to precision oncology for all patients who need it.