Genomic information is one piece of information a care team may use to help inform treatment and diagnostic decisions. POG is not directly linked to any specific treatments and no treatments are guaranteed based on POG information.
- The purpose of the POG program is to understand and analyze the genome (the entire DNA and RNA) of an individual patient's cancer, to characterize what might be enabling or promoting this abnormal cell growth, and how this information may help identify treatment strategies to stop or limit this growth.
- The main goal of the program is to use the tumour's genetic information to inform therapy choices such as standard or off-label treatments and clinical trials.
POG is a highly experimental research program with specific eligibility criteria that can limit enrolment. These criteria can change over time based on changes to study objectives, available funding, and staffing resources. Main criteria currently include:
- Patients being treated at BC Cancer (B.C. residents only) or affiliated sites with treatment and follow up data available.
- Ability to undergo biopsies and fitness for clinical trials.
- Some disease/type specific criteria may also apply to individual cases.
For more information on POG and eligibility, BC Cancer patients should speak to their medical oncologist at their next scheduled visit.
Many other provinces run cancer genomic studies. Patients should discuss their interest in clinical trials with their medical oncologist to explore their local options.
For more information on POG and eligibility, patients should speak to their medical oncologist.
Patients should discuss their clinical treatment options, including clinical trials and POG with their medical oncologist.
Please contact POGinfo@bcgsc.ca.
