INNOVATION
Targeted Cancer Support Care
THE PROBLEM
Two Sides of Cancer Care
Side effects of cancer treatment occur when anti-cancer therapies damage non-cancer cells (normal tissues/organs). This can happen when a receptor or pathway that is targeted for inhibition also plays a role in normal cells, like with VEGF receptor or EGF receptor inhibitors. It can also happen when the anti-cancer treatment targets normal metabolic pathways, as is the case with chemotherapy. There, rapidly dividing cells in the skin, gut, and bone marrow are killed by the cancer treatment. This leads to unwanted side effects, such as rashes, diarrhea, hair loss, and more.
The toxicities caused by cancer therapies in non-cancer cells (normal tissues/organs) negatively impact a patient's quality of life. In many cases, these toxicities require changes in the cancer treatment, including dose reductions, interruptions, or discontinuation. Maintaining anti-cancer drug dose intensity is known to lead to better outcomes. Thus, these toxicities do not just affect patients’ quality of life, they can keep patients from getting the treatments they need.
THE SOLUTION
How OnQuality Works
Currently, many patients have to choose between suffering severe side effects and changing their cancer therapy. By treating the side effects with a targeted approach, our goal is to help cancer patients fight cancer.
Traditional approaches to supportive care focus on symptoms. Our approach to cancer supportive care is unique. To protect non-cancer cells, we target the pathways that cause side effects. This way, we can prevent side effects without interfering with the actual cancer treatment.
