The CollabRx ONE Difference

CollabRx uses state-of-the-art genomic technologies to extract molecular information from your biopsies, and then conduct in-depth analyses to link your specific cancer to relevant therapies. We look at the entire genome of your tumor, not just at a handful of genes like EGFR and k-RAS, to identify options that may be relevant for you. Unlike most tests on the market today, our approach is not limited to cancer drugs but also includes approved or investigational drugs for other diseases.

Over the past few decades it has become clear that many drugs have unanticipated uses. Thalidomide, rapamycin, and recently metformin are now being used for cancer, despite original indications in morning sickness, immune suppression, and diabetes, and numerous other examples exist (see table below for more examples). These uses have typically been discovered serendipitously, and there are doubtless numerous drugs whose anticancer uses have not yet been discovered.

CollabRx identifies marketed drugs or drugs in development that may be relevant to your cancer, whether or not there are currently indicated for cancer. We do this by having our scientists – experts in drug discovery and pioneers in drug repositioning - examine your full genome in the context of your medical situation to understand what biological mechanisms may be causing or sustaining your cancer. We then link those mechanisms to any of the thousands of approved drugs and investigational therapies. This allows you and your physician to consider additional options that would not have been considered – leaving no stone unturned.

We do our investigation at the functional/pathway level – so rather than relying on a single data point to formulate hypotheses, we look for 10-30 pieces of evidence that converge to a single direction, and identify mechanisms that appear to be driving the cancer and drugs that are known to impact those mechanisms. Rather than just testing whether you fit a specific treatment, CollabRx ONE aims to be comprehensive – to leave no stone unturned.

Non-cancer therapies in use for cancer

Drug/ module Original Indication Cancer Indications
Thalidomide Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) Multiple myeloma
Rapamycin, Temsirolimus Immune suppression in prevention of graft rejection Karposi’s sarcoma, Glioblastoma, Lymphoma
Interferon Viral infections Melanoma, kidney cancer*, lymphoma*, gastrointestinal tract cancer* etc.
Bacille Calmette Guerin vaccine Tuberculosis Bladder cancer
Metformin* Diabetes Breast cancer, lymphoma, solid tumor etc.
Nelfinavir, Saquinavir* HIV Glioblastoma, rectal cancer, pancreatic cancer
Aspirin Pain Prevention of colorectal polyps and cancer
Verapamil* Cardiac arrhythmia Meningioma
Digitalis* Heart failure Non-small cell lung cancer
Nitroglycerin* Coronary heart disease Non-small cell lung cancer
Hydralazine* Hypertension Cervical cancer
Pravastatin* Cholesterolemia Small cell lung cancer and Acute myeloid leukemia
Lovastatin* Cholesterolemia Melanoma, ovarian cancer etc.
Chloroquine* Malaria Glioblastoma multiforme and Small cell lung cancer
Mifepristone* Abortion Ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer etc.

* In clinical trials for these cancer indications

Please contact us to learn more about CollabRx ONE personalized research services.

The information provided above is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consulting with your doctor who is familiar with your individual medical needs. This information is provided by CollabRx as an educational service for physicians and their patients.