Dr. Bufill studies the effectiveness of different chemotherapy treatments for various types of cancer, including colorectal cancer, rectal cancer, lung cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He investigates how well blood tests can provide genetic information about tumors, especially when traditional tissue samples are not available. This research is particularly beneficial for patients with late-stage cancers who need reliable information for their treatment options.
Key findings
In colorectal cancer, 80% of patients had detectable tumor DNA in their blood, and when blood and tissue tests were performed within 30 days of each other, 100% of genetic changes were identified.
For locally advanced rectal cancer, 33% of patients achieved a complete response after treatment, and 75.5% remained disease-free after three years.
In a study of advanced lung cancer, adding enzastaurin did not significantly improve progression-free survival compared to a placebo, with median times of 3.5 months versus 4.3 months.
The use of gemcitabine in relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma resulted in only 1 out of 13 patients showing partial improvement, leading to the study's early termination due to limited effectiveness.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Bufill study colorectal cancer?
Yes, Dr. Bufill conducts research on colorectal cancer, focusing on blood tests that can provide important genetic information about the tumors.
What treatments has Dr. Bufill researched?
He has researched various chemotherapy regimens, including combinations of drugs like capecitabine and irinotecan for rectal cancer, and also studies the effectiveness of single-agent therapies.
Is Dr. Bufill's work relevant to lung cancer patients?
Yes, his research helps to clarify which treatments are effective for patients with advanced lung cancer and informs decisions on therapy options.
What can I expect from Dr. Bufill's studies on non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
His studies provide insights into the limited effectiveness of certain drugs, like gemcitabine, for treating relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma, helping doctors choose better treatment options.
Publications in plain English
Genomic profiling of cell-free circulating tumor DNA in patients with colorectal cancer and its fidelity to the genomics of the tumor biopsy.
2019
Journal of gastrointestinal oncology
Li G, Pavlick D, Chung JH, Bauer T, Tan BA +18 more
Plain English In this study, researchers looked at blood samples from 96 patients with colorectal cancer to see if the genetic information they could find in the blood matched what they found in the patients' tumor tissue samples. They discovered that in 80% of cases, they detected tumor DNA in the blood, and when the tissue and blood samples were collected less than 30 days apart, the accuracy of matching the genetic information was perfect at 100%. This matters because it shows that blood tests can provide reliable insights into a patient's cancer, helping doctors tailor treatments when getting a tissue biopsy isn't possible.
Who this helps: This helps patients with colorectal cancer, especially those who cannot undergo a tissue biopsy.
Phase II and gene expression analysis trial of neoadjuvant capecitabine plus irinotecan followed by capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer: Hoosier Oncology Group GI03-53.
2012
Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology
Chiorean EG, Sanghani S, Schiel MA, Yu M, Burns M +10 more
Plain English This study looked at a treatment plan for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, using a combination of two drugs, capecitabine and irinotecan, followed by chemoradiotherapy. Out of 18 completed patients, 6 achieved a complete pathological response (33%), and 10 had their tumors reduced in size or the number of affected lymph nodes (56%). After three years, 75.5% of patients remained free from disease, indicating that this treatment approach is both safe and effective.
Who this helps: This helps patients with locally advanced rectal cancer by providing more effective treatment options.
Randomized, double-blinded, multicenter, phase II study of pemetrexed, carboplatin, and bevacizumab with enzastaurin or placebo in chemonaïve patients with stage IIIB/IV non-small cell lung cancer: Hoosier Oncology Group LUN06-116.
2010
Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
Casey EM, Harb W, Bradford D, Bufill J, Nattam S +6 more
Plain English This study looked at whether adding a drug called enzastaurin to a standard chemotherapy treatment could help patients with advanced lung cancer. Researchers found that patients taking enzastaurin had a median progression-free survival of 3.5 months compared to 4.3 months for those on a placebo, with no significant difference in response rates or safety concerns. These findings indicate that enzastaurin does not enhance the effectiveness of the existing treatment, suggesting it should not be further researched for this type of cancer.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers focus on more effective treatments for lung cancer patients.
A phase II study of single agent gemcitabine in relapsed or refractory follicular or small lymphocytic non-Hodgkin lymphomas: a Hoosier Oncology Group Study.
Plain English This study looked at the effects of a drug called gemcitabine on patients with certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that had come back after previous treatment. Out of 13 patients, only 1 experienced a partial improvement, and 8 patients, or 61%, had stable disease but showed no significant healing. The study was stopped early because gemcitabine didn't provide enough benefit to continue.
Who this helps: This information is useful for doctors treating patients with relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as it highlights the limited effectiveness of gemcitabine in these cases.