RGCC - Research Genetic Cancer Centre
RGCC was launched in 2004 by genetics pioneer Dr. Ioannis Papasotiriou who believes that the key to effectively treating cancer lies in personalised medicine using the information in a patient’s genes.
Using world-leading technology, equipment and innovative techniques, our team of scientists have developed a range of tests that give healthcare professionals comprehensive information about a patient’s genetics, physiology and immune profiles. This diversion from a ‘one-size-fits all approach’ uses data to determine what treatment will work best.
Most importantly, by looking at a person’s genetics, physiology and immune profiles, our cost-effective and highly accurate tests will give you the information you need to formulate effective personalised treatment plans.
Our laboratories in Europe are equipped with world-leading technology and staffed by experts in their fields. Using innovative techniques, they provide trusted and timely information so doctors and patients can take action based on their results.
RGCC Tests
RGCC’s objective is to equip patients and clinicians with the most robust, reliable and accurate information about cancer so they can choose the treatments that will work best.
Our range of tests and therapies is designed to discover, analyse and screen cancer cells at every step of the disease, and to provide vital information that can help clinicians to identify the best, and most effective, cancer treatments and therapies.
We have tests that determine the cancer load, how much cancer is in the body and the risk of the cancer spreading or returning. We have tests to monitor a patient’s progress, tell us if a certain type of chemotherapy or natural substance can kill their specific cancer cells, and determine whether late-stage therapies like vaccines or immune therapies will be effective.
The types of tests we offer fall into two categories: liquid biopsies and circulating tumour cell tests.
Our liquid biopsy is a non-invasive blood test that requires no surgical intervention. It can detect circulating tumour cells and circulating free DNA in the blood. This has the potential to identify and diagnose certain forms of cancer, and can also be used to monitor a cancer’s progression.
As the name suggests, our circulating tumour cell (CTC) tests detect CTCs in the blood or lymph. CTCs are cells that have detached from the original tumour and passed into the blood, the lymph system, or another part of the body, with the potential to create a second tumour.
Researchers have made significant progress in detecting and isolating these cells, but circulating tumour cells tests are not yet 100% accurate. Studies have found that in people with certain types of cancer – of the breast, prostate, pancreas, colon and skin – our test is 87% sensitive and 83% specific for circulating tumour cells (Papasotiriou I. et al, 2015). This means that our test will correctly return a positive result for 87% of the time, and will correctly return a negative result 83% of the time.
RGCC THERAPIES
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating chronic disease. Every patient and their disease is different and they will respond to treatment in their own unique way. Our team of multi-disciplinary scientists combines groundbreaking research with best-in-class technology to develop targeted therapies to improve patient outcomes.
The field of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) has enormous potential to fulfil previously unmet medical needs. Our scientists are working to translate this potential into reality with a range of ATMPs to effectively treat a range of chronic diseases, including cancer.
DENDROCOV
Dendritic cell (DC) vaccination is a form of immunotherapy. During this therapy DCs are activated in vitro against specific peptides and then administered back to the same patient in order to activate both CD8+ and CD4+ cells against these specific peptides. DendroCov has been developed to recognise specific peptides of SARS-CoV-2, resulting in the activation of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. DendroCov is a personalised therapy and therefore results in no side-effects for the patient. Our chosen peptides are not within the mutated parts of the virus, so it gives protection against mutated SARS-CoV-2 strains known so far. DendroCov has been approved by the CAT committee of the EMA as a CTMP (Cell Therapeutic Medicinal Product).
DendroCov is available exclusively to RGCC Network doctors. To find out more about how you can incorporate DendroCov into your patient treatment plans, please contact office@rgcc-international.com
SUPPORTIVE OLIGONUCLEOTIDE THERAPY (SOT)
SOT is a personalised therapy for cancer, viruses and pathogens including Lyme Disease. The SOT has the ability to bind to a specific gene of interest that controls the cancer cell or pathogen by disrupting the critical process that promotes its survival or growth. During this therapy, we analyse a patient’s blood and we create a complementary oligonucleotide sequence that is designed to interrupt survival or growth of the cells. RGCC SOTs are available to RGCC Network doctors. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
VAXO-Q-RE
Vaxo-Q-Re is a new advanced therapy consisting of five types of immune cells; macrophages, NK cells, dendritic cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes and antibody producing plasma cells. Tested on breast cancer cells but effective at treating all forms of the disease, the adoptive T cell-based therapy encourages the body’s immune system to target cancer cells. Vaxo-Q-Re has been in development by RGCC scientists for more than five years and is now categorised as a Cell Therapy Medicinal Product (CTMP) by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).