Dr Sahin on the Potential Use of Northstar Response in GI Cancer

Ilyas Sahin, MD, assistant professor, medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Florida Health, discusses the clinical validation of NorthStar Response, a novel blood test designed to quantify circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancer receiving active treatment.

NorthStar Response is a novel methylated ctDNA therapy response–monitoring assay. This tool holds the potential to be an asset for oncologists, particularly in cases where toxicity poses a concern for patients, Sahin begins. For instance, if a patient needs to change treatments because their current treatment is ineffective, the patient may wait prolonged periods for accurate imaging results, according to Sahin. NorthStar Response could mitigate these issues by offering timely insights, he explains. This tool would be especially relevant in patients exhibiting mixed treatment responses or in instances where disease staging and imaging may present challenges, Sahin states.

For patients under surveillance for recurrence, a positive NorthStar Response result could prompt early treatment interventions, potentially leading to improved clinical outcomes, he expands. Similarly, in post-surgery scenarios, the test could provide early treatment indications or guide decisions regarding the need for additional chemotherapy, Sahin notes. Investigators envision this tool as a valuable addition to oncologists’ arsenals, complementing existing diagnostic approaches, he elucidates.

The investigation of NorthStar Response in patients with advanced GI cancer plans to enroll100 patients, Sahin continues. At the 2024 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, investigators presented interim findings from 44 patients, he says.

The primary objective of this assessment is to evaluate the effectiveness of this blood test in monitoring treatment responses across various types of advanced GI cancers and different lines of treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, Sahin explains. The aim is to assess whether this test proves effective in monitoring and gauging treatment responses in a diverse range of clinical scenarios, he concludes.