Stanley R. Hamilton, M.D.
Colorectal Cancer Moon Shot
About Dr. Hamilton
Stanley R. Hamilton, M.D., is a gastrointestinal and molecular
pathologist and professor and has been the head of Pathology and
Laboratory Medicine at MD Anderson since
1988. He's also served as the principal investigator of the Cancer
Center Support Grant-sponsored Tissue Biorepository and Pathology
Resource core facility during this time.
Affiliations and Related Links
Fighting Cancer: It's Personal
What makes your fight against cancer personal?
My greatest drive comes from my family. My grandmother died of colon
cancer and had a particularly difficult experience. Added fuel came
from my grandfather’s death from gastric cancer.
What motivates and excites you?
I'm excited to continue our efforts to match a patient’s genomic
profile to a treatment known to target their specific molecular
aberration(s). Liquid biopsy is going to be truly revolutionary for
the field of genomic medicine. Currently, a network of resources are
required to obtain patient samples for genomic testing, which takes
upwards of 4-8 weeks. Soon, we'll be able to offer a liquid biopsy
blood test which will provide genomic profiling in less than a
week.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I hope to continue our division’s momentum in partnering with all Moon Shot™ platforms so that timely CLIA-validated testing can be offered as innovative therapies are proven to be actionable.
What's your Moon Shot focus?
Our goal is to offer genomic testing for all MD
Anderson patients as standard of care or for clinical trial
enrollment. In collaboration with the Breast Cancer Moon Shot™, over
50 patients in clinical trials have been randomized based on their
individual molecular profile, with the goal being to predict response
to treatment. We're also focusing on genomic testing for leukemia
and continue to add such innovative testing to support the Moon Shots™
mission.
What makes the Moon Shots Program stand out?
Through this program, cures for thirteen different cancers are being
researched simultaneously under one well-coordinated and adequately
funded initiative. The innovative, state-of-the-art therapies and
clinical trials that result are what patients look for when deciding
where to go for their cancer care.
What else do you want people to know about you and your work?
I would describe myself as dedicated. I love what I do and that I'm
a part of a division that makes a substantial impact on our mission
here at MD Anderson.