Molecular, Metastatic, and Rare Cancers Center of Excellence

About the Molecular, Metastatic, and Rare Cancers Center of Excellence

The AHN Molecular, Metastatic, and Rare Cancers Center of Excellence is an exciting new department that embodies the overall AHN Cancer Institute’s commitment to expanding and elevating cancer care.

This division was created and designed to address the unique challenges complex cancers were creating for patients and health care providers. The AHN Cancer Institute has a special interest in understanding rare cancers that may be linked to a person's genes. This includes cancers that have spread to the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) or the lining around the lungs (pleura). These types of metastases (how the cancer spreads) often result from primary cancers in the abdominal or thoracic regions, such as ovarian, colorectal, or lung cancers. By using cutting-edge technology that looks at a person’s genetic makeup through genomic sequencing and molecular profiling, the MMR Division identifies specific genetic mutations, alterations, and biomarkers that drive these metastatic processes, or how the cancer spreads. This research helps us learn more about the genetic reasons why cancers spread to the lining of the abdomen and lungs. With this knowledge, we can create more personalized treatment approaches.

Our team also focuses on finding patients who may have inherited their cancer risk from their family. When we find these patients, we can offer special treatments that target their cancer and slow down its spread, which helps them feel better. We also offer genetic counseling. This helps patients and their families learn more about their potential cancer risks and what they can do to prevent cancer. By using this specialized approach, we help patients with complex and rare cancers that have spread. We use precise, modern medicine, new research, and a team approach to give our patients the best possible results.

Appointments

MMR Center of Excellence

(412) 578-HOPE

412-578-4673

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Why choose AHN for your molecular, metastatic and rare cancer care?

Our center stands at the forefront of innovation, offering a combination of expertise and resources that few institutions can match. Here are some key differentiators:

Precision oncology: When you choose care from AHN, you will experience the difference that next-generation sequencing and molecular profiling can achieve to analyze the genetic and molecular characteristics of each tumor. This enables us to customize treatment strategies that target the specific mutations driving the cancer, maximizing efficacy while minimizing side effects.
Comprehensive multidisciplinary care: Our team includes oncologists, molecular pathologists, geneticists, radiologists, surgeons, and specialized nurses who collaborate to create and implement individualized care plans. Each patient’s case is reviewed in tumor boards, ensuring a holistic and tailored approach.
Access to innovative clinical trials: You can access a robust portfolio of clinical trials, including those investigating novel therapies such as CAR-T cells, bispecific antibodies, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) — all breakthrough technologies that can help treat your cancer. Our close partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and research institutions allow us to bring promising new treatments to our patients before they are widely available.
Focus on rare and metastatic cancers: Our expertise extends to cancers that are often underrepresented in clinical studies, such as sarcomas, neuroendocrine tumors, and metastatic cancers of unknown primary origin. This focus ensures that patients with rare and complex conditions receive the same level of specialized care as those with more common malignancies.
Patient-centered care: From advanced pain management to psychological support, our center is committed to treating the whole patient. Dedicated patient navigators guide you and your support system through every stage of the journey, providing education, emotional support, and assistance with logistics.

Our cutting-edge technology and techniques

Choosing AHN for your care means you get the latest treatment approaches. Our commitment to innovation is reflected in the state-of-the-art technologies and techniques we use, including:

Liquid biopsy: A minimally invasive method to detect and monitor cancer through blood samples, providing real-time insights into tumor dynamics and treatment response.
Intraperitoneal treatment: Using cutting-edge techniques including cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, regional immune-oncology clinical trials, pressurized intraperitoneal aerosolized chemotherapy, and intraperitoneal chemotherapy, AHN is offering patients more options for the cancer treatment. This technique delivers aim to inhibit the growth of new cancer cells.
Proton therapy: This advanced form of radiation therapy delivers highly targeted doses to tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissue, reducing side effects and improving quality of life.
Immunotherapy advancements: We use the power of the immune system through checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines and viruses, and adoptive T-cell therapies.

Treating rare cancers

At the AHN Molecular, Metastatic, and Rare Cancers Center of Excellence we treat cancers that are often difficult to navigate care for and find personalized treatment. The cancers we treat include:

Hereditary cancers including:
- Ovarian cancer (especially those with BRCA1/2 mutations)
- Colon and rectal cancers (linked to Lynch syndrome or other genetic syndromes)
- Breast cancer (hereditary forms such as BRCA1/2-related)
- Endometrial cancer (associated with Lynch syndrome)
- Pancreatic cancer (familial or genetic mutations)
Rare cancers with genetic drivers including:
- Peritoneal carcinomatosis (cancers originating from the appendix, colon, ovaries, or other organs with a genetic component)
- Pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma (potentially related to genetic mutations or familial clustering)
- Soft tissue sarcomas (such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors with mutations in KIT or PDGFRA)
- Thyroid cancer (especially medullary thyroid carcinoma linked to genetic syndromes like MEN2)
- Neuroendocrine tumors (involving genetic mutations like MEN1 or other inherited conditions)

Treatments and therapies

In order to treat these rare cancer types, we create tailored care plans based on the individual patient and the specific characteristics of your cancer. AHN offers our patients state-of-the-art, often minimally invasive treatments and therapies to help fight off these rare types of cancers.

Cytoreductive surgery

Cytoreductive surgery is a surgery where doctors remove as much of the cancer as possible from the abdomen. The goal is to get rid of all visible signs of the cancer. It's cutting-edge because it's very precise and planned out. Before surgery, doctors use imaging and other tests to create a map of where the cancer is. This helps them carefully remove the tumor and any affected organs. Cytoreductive surgery is a vital part of treating certain advanced cancers because it improves the chances that other treatments, like chemotherapy, will work better. This helps patients live longer and have a better quality of life.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)

HIPEC is a special treatment used after surgery for some cancers in the abdomen (belly). During HIPEC, heated chemotherapy drugs are delivered directly into the abdomen. The heat helps the chemotherapy work better to kill any remaining cancer cells. This can help prevent the cancer from coming back. It's cutting-edge because it delivers the chemotherapy right where it's needed, in a high dose, while reducing side effects to the rest of the body. It has potential benefits for patients by targeting cancer cells directly and may improve their chances of a cure.

Systemic chemotherapy

Systemic chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells all over the body. These medicines travel through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells wherever they may be. It's cutting-edge because there are always new and improved chemotherapy drugs being developed. This means that doctors can tailor the chemotherapy treatment to the specific type of cancer a patient has. Systemic chemotherapy is helpful because it can shrink tumors, prevent cancer from spreading, and kill cancer cells that may have already spread to other parts of the body. This improves the patient's chances of recovery and can help them feel better.

Clinical trials and research

At AHN Cancer Institute, research and clinical trials play a pivotal role in advancing cancer care and offering patients access to innovative treatments. Our commitment to research ensures that patients have the opportunity to benefit from groundbreaking therapies that are not yet widely available.

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study designed to evaluate new medical approaches, treatments, or therapies. These trials help determine whether a new treatment is safe, effective, and better than existing options. Patients participating in clinical trials contribute to the development of new standards of care, potentially improving outcomes for themselves and future patients.

How do clinical trials work?

Clinical trials are essential for improving patient care and advancing medical knowledge. Before finding if one is right for you, your doctor will go over how the trial is structured including:

Phases: Clinical trials progress through multiple phases, from initial safety testing (Phase I) to larger studies that compare the new treatment to standard options (Phase III).
Eligibility: Each trial has specific criteria, such as cancer type, stage, prior treatments, and overall health. This ensures the study focuses on the appropriate patient population.
Participation: Patients enrolled in a trial receive close monitoring by a multidisciplinary team. Their progress helps researchers refine and improve treatment strategies.

Who can join a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are open to patients who meet the study’s eligibility criteria. Before joining, patients undergo a thorough evaluation to determine suitability. Participation is entirely voluntary, and patients can choose to withdraw at any time.

Why participate in a clinical trial?

Participating in a clinical trial is a significant decision, and there are several potential reasons why you might choose to including:

Access to the latest treatments before they are widely available.
Enhanced care and monitoring by a dedicated research team.
The opportunity to contribute to medical advancements that may benefit others.

Currently active clinical trials

If you would like to participate in a clinical trial and help our innovative team discover groundbreaking cancer solutions, ask your doctor if you’re eligible to participate in one listed below or find other clinical trials.

Groundbreaking Research: The RIOT-2 Clinical Trial

The AHN Cancer Institute is proud to participate in the RIOT-2 clinical trial, a cutting-edge study focused on optimizing treatment for patients with advanced abdominal cancers. RIOT-2 investigates innovative approaches to combining surgery with therapies like hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to improve survival and quality of life.

Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) Therapy

TIL therapy is an emerging form of personalized immunotherapy that harnesses the power of the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. This advanced treatment involves:

Harvesting TILs: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, a type of immune cell, are extracted from the patient’s tumor.
Expansion in the lab: The extracted TILs are grown and activated in a laboratory to increase their cancer-fighting potential.
Reinfusion: The enhanced TILs are reinfused into the patient, where they seek out and destroy cancer cells.
Conditions treated: TIL therapy has shown promise for several hard-to-treat cancers, including melanoma, cervical cancer, and other solid tumors.
Specialists involved: Medical oncologists, immunotherapy experts, and laboratory scientists collaborate to deliver this highly specialized treatment.
Advantages: TIL therapy leverages the body’s natural immune defenses, offering a targeted approach that may reduce reliance on traditional systemic treatments.

Refer your patient to an AHN specialist

There are two ways for medical professionals, who are not a part of Allegheny Health Network, to refer their patients to an AHN specialist and request their first appointment. You can:

Call (412) 578-HOPE 412-578-4673 to speak with an AHN Cancer Institute scheduling coordinator.
Go to Find Care to find the right AHN specialist and the most convenient location. Then refer your patient, provide relevant patient details, and request an appointment directly from the doctor's profile.

For more information about referring your patient to an AHN specialist, read the Independent Physician Referral FAQs.

Follow your patient's health care at AHN with EpicCare^®Link™

After referring your patient to an AHN specialist, use the EpicCare Link platform to collaborate with their AHN specialist and view your patient's test results, treatment plan, and progress.

If you are new to EpicCare Link, or need to request your own EpicCare Link account, read: EpicCare Link for Patient Follow-up, for user instructions and new account request forms.

When EpicCare Link is not an option for patient's AHN medical records

If you can’t access your patient's AHN test results through the EpicCare Link platform, your patient will need to complete and submit the correct AHN Medical Records Release form, based on their state of residency. Support your patient’s request by downloading the correct medical records release form for them:

EpicCare® is a registered trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.

EpicCare® Link™ is a trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.

Molecular, Metastatic, and Rare Cancers Center of Excellence

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