Knowledge-Sharing Towards a Cure
Triple negative breast cancer is an aggressive and dynamic disease, with metastases displaying characteristics that frequently differ from the primary tumor. It is more fast-growing than other types of breast cancer and has a higher risk of metastasis and recurrence.
As an innovative approach to determining the feasibility and merit of performing and analyzing biopsies to inform patient treatment, the Intensive Trial of Omics in Cancer (ITOMIC) study was launched as the South Sound CARE Foundation’s first significant trial. Designed by Dr. Tony Blau, Dr. Sibel Blau and Dr. Frank Senecal, the study began enrolling patients in 2013.
In 2018, the CARE Foundation hired Study Director, Dr. Kimberly Burton to bring this ground-breaking trial in-house. She shares, “Like many, I have been touched by cancer and greatly appreciated the opportunity to participate in this groundbreaking clinical trial. When the trial moved from the University of Washington to the South Sound Care Foundation, I wanted to continue with this work in hopes of providing clinical trial opportunities for women faced with the difficult diagnosis of cancer.”
Thanks to your generous support, we are providing patients here in the South Sound with innovative, local treatment plans that leverage national expertise and insights.
All4Cure innovative data-sharing platform accelerates research and patient care.
Local Treatment Informed by National Expertise
Patients participating in the trial enroll in All4Cure, an innovative data-sharing platform that aims to harness the power of genomic testing and collaborative knowledge-sharing to enhance patient care and accelerate cancer research. Their test results and medical records are shared on the platform, allowing experts across the country to review cases, provide feedback, and offer insights into treatment options based on similar genomic profiles—a shared resource rarely seen in traditional medical settings.
Meet Tabatha
Tabatha's journey began in 2016 when a lump in her armpit raised concerns. Despite two normal mammograms, Tabatha, then in her mid 30s, couldn't shake the suspicion that there was more to her symptoms. She shares, “I just knew in my heart there was something going on.” Pain and sensitivity in the area increased and in 2018, a biopsy revealed triple-negative breast cancer. Under the care of Dr. Sibel Blau, Tabatha underwent chemotherapy treatment followed by a double mastectomy. Tabatha remained symptom-free until January 2023 when a biopsy revealed a recurrence in her bones.
Dr. Blau engaged the South Sound CARE Foundation for additional resources. Tabatha embarked on a new treatment journey and enrolled in the All4Cure platform, enabling her team to monitor progress, access her test results, and stay connected with her care team. CARE Clinical Research Coordinator, Jodi Thiel, helps Tabatha navigate the day-to-day course of her treatment, accompanying Tabatha to appointments, taking notes, assisting with scheduling, and providing ongoing support.
Throughout her cancer journey, Tabatha has benefited from a dedicated care team close to home, including her family, friends, Dr. Blau, the oncology team at Northwest Medical Specialties and the CARE Foundation.
Tabatha shares, "Sometimes as a patient, you feel like you’re another number in the system. But with the CARE team, you feel like you’re noticed, a person—you matter."
Looking Ahead with Hope
As of January 2024, Tabatha’s PET scans show stable disease—an encouraging development!
Leveraging the expansive network of cancer advocates, experts, patient data, and resources through All4Cure, The South Sound CARE Foundation and our medical partners are working to ensure that Tabatha and other patients in our South Sound community have access to the most innovative treatment options, research, and resources all here at home. Thank you for making this collaborative care possible.
