Delphi Diagnostics™ Inc and Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative™ Announce the Inclusion of Delphi’s Proprietary Test, SET2,3™, into the Adaptive Randomization Process for the Ongoing I-SPY 2 TRIAL™

Delphi Diagnostics, Inc and Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative™(QLHC) announce the inclusion of Delphi’s SET2,3™ test for use in the I-SPY 2 TRIAL for patients with locally advanced breast cancer. The SET2,3™ test helps to determine which patients with HR+ tumors will benefit from endocrine therapy.

Houston, TX, October 27th, 2022 – Delphi Diagnostics, Inc and Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative™(QLHC) announce the inclusion of Delphi’s SET2,3™ test for use in the I-SPY 2 TRIAL for patients with locally advanced breast cancer. The SET2,3™ test helps to determine which patients with HR+ tumors will benefit from endocrine therapy. Those patients whose biomarker profiles, including SET2,3 data, are predicted to benefit from endocrine therapy are randomized into an arm of the Endocrine Optimization Pilot (EOP), a sub-study of the I-SPY 2 TRIAL. Otherwise, patients are randomized to chemotherapy-based arms in the trial. Although EOP patient tumor samples have been assessed with the SET2,3™ test for over a year, the use of the test for adaptive randomization of patients into the trial—a true prospective application of the SET test, began in July 2022.

The SET2,3™ index is a measure of the level of transcriptional activity of genes that are related to receptors for the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The index is adjusted based on the baseline prognosis for the individual patient, including tumor size and lymph node status. A “high” SET2,3™ index has been shown to be associated with a good prognosis on endocrine therapies. SET2,3™ provides prognostic information independent of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy responses (Du et al. 2021). Thus, the SET index allows QLHC to help women choose whether to start with endocrine therapy or chemotherapy.

With over 1,400 patients enrolled, the I-SPY series of trials is changing the way new breast cancer treatments are developed, helping make available new, better, and more personalized treatments. At the heart of the I-SPY program is the ground-breaking I-SPY 2 platform trial for neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced breast cancer.

The I-SPY 2 TRIAL is designed for the rapid Phase 2 assessment and personalized targeting of promising agents or combinations based on biomarker subtypes defined by hormone receptor, HER2, and tumor gene signature status, such as MammaPrint (70-gene signature). It is the longest-running platform trial globally.

An additional focus of I-SPY is the identification and validation of biomarkers to improve the targeting of therapy, incorporating prospective evaluation of qualifying biomarkers. SET2,3™ is being evaluated in addition to other diagnostic tests, including tests such as full transcriptome array tumor profiling, phospho-protein arrays, immune multiplex assays, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and other targeted interrogations.

Within the I-SPY 2 TRIAL, the EOP is focused on patients with molecularly low-risk (MammaPrint low-risk), clinically high-risk, hormone receptor-positive (HR+), and HER2-negative breast cancer. These patients historically have been excluded from the I-SPY 2 TRIAL due to the predicted lack of chemotherapy benefits. The EOP is a sub-study within the main I-SPY 2 clinical trial utilizing an endocrine therapy backbone for patients whose tumors are predicted to be sensitive to endocrine therapy but for whom chemotherapy provides little or no benefit. 

SET2,3™ is currently being evaluated in the Endocrine Optimization Pilot (EOP). In I-SPY 2.2, patients who have a high-risk MammaPrint score (and thus likely to benefit from chemotherapy) but also are SET high will have the option to go into the EOP arm or to be randomized to the other experimental arms of the I-SPY 2 TRIAL. This is because the SET2,3™ score indicates they are likely to be sensitive to the endocrine therapies offered in this study.

“We are grateful to Delphi Diagnostics and their partnership for enabling us to add SET2,3™ testing for all of our patients with hormone-positive tumors in the I-SPY TRIAL,” said Dr. Laura Esserman, co-principal investigator of the I-SPY Trials. “We know that the biology of hormone-positive tumors is highly variable, and we need biomarkers that better predict responsiveness to endocrine therapy. SET2,3™ is a critical advance and should enable us to direct patients to therapy that is both more effective and less toxic. The goal of I-SPY 2 is to get the right drug to the right patient at the right time; SET is one of the tools that will enable us to get there.”

Delphi Diagnostics, Inc. holds an exclusive license from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX to commercialize the SET technology that was developed by the laboratory of Dr. W. Fraser Symmans1. Dr. Symmans chairs the I-SPY Pathology Working Group.

1Dr. Symmans has a personal financial relationship with Delphi that has been identified as a conflict of interest and is managed by MD Anderson’s Conflict of Interest Committee.

About the I-SPY TRIALs

The I-SPY TRIAL (Investigation of Serial studies to Predict Your Therapeutic Response with Imaging And moLecular analysis) was designed to rapidly screen promising experimental treatments and identify those most effective in specific patient subgroups based on molecular characteristics (biomarker signatures). The trial is a unique collaborative effort by a consortium that includes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), industry, patient advocates, philanthropic sponsors, and clinicians from 16 major U.S. cancer research centers. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative is the trial sponsor and manages all study operations. For more information, visit ispytrials.org.

About Delphi Diagnostics

Delphi Diagnostics Inc. is a Texas-based company focused on advancing clinically valid tests for the prognosis and prediction of breast cancer treatment. The Sensitivity to Endocrine Therapy test (SET™) measures Sensitivity to Endocrine Therapy in all stages of HR+HER- breast cancer. The SET test is currently being used in prospective clinical trials. Delphi’s mission is to make the SET test available to breast cancer patients, maximize disease-free survival while minimizing toxicity, and avoid non-beneficial treatments. To learn more, visit www.delphi-diagnostics.com.

About Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative

Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative is a 501C(3) charitable organization established in 2005 as a collaboration between medical researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. Our mission is to integrate high-impact research with clinical processes and systems technology, resulting in improved data management and information systems, greater access to clinical trial matching and sponsorship, and greater benefit to providers, patients and researchers. Our goal is to improve and save lives. Quantum Leap provides operational, financial, and regulatory oversight to the I-SPY Trials. For more information, visit www.QuantumLeapHealth.org.

Contact Delphi Diagnostics:
Emily Granger
Delphi Diagnostics Inc.
egranger@delphi-diagnostics.com
(508) 341-9331

QLHC Media Contact:
Jacqueline Murray
Marketing and Communications Director
j.murray@quantumleaphealth.org
(415) 839-8082

For more information, email karyn.digiorgio@quantumleaphealth.org

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Tracey Heather

Advocate Liaison

As Patient Engagement Lead at Quantum Leap, I manage follow-up data projects for the I-SPY 2 Trial, develop strategies to strengthen patient engagement, and oversee the I-SPY Advocate group. After six successful years raising funds to support Quantum’s mission, I embraced this new role last summer, drawn by the opportunity to make a direct impact on the patients we serve. Each day brings new challenges and insights, and I especially enjoy supporting and collaborating with our inspiring I-SPY Advocates.

Outside of work, I am pursuing a Master of Public Administration with a focus on nonprofit management at SF State. I’m passionate about trail running, skiing, live music, camping, traveling, and collegiate gymnastics—my daughter competes at Oregon State. For the past 5 years, I have volunteered with SF CASA as a mentor to an incredible 18-year-old foster youth whose resilience continually reminds me of life’s true priorities.

Carolyn Clark Beedle

Carolyn Clark Beedle, a 2023 breast cancer survivor, joined the advocate program after successful completion of treatment with the UCSF Breast Oncology Program. Her experience working with a patient advocate during her TNBC treatment led to an understanding that empowering women to advocate for their own health and healthcare will contribute to improved health outcomes and broader access to care. Carolyn began advocating for cancer patients and their families during her treatment, now is a member of the Breast Science Advocacy Core (BSAC) with the UCSF Breast Oncology Program, and currently shares information and research with CFNP associates at La Clinica in the Bay Area to inform and empower their patient population.

Carolyn is continuing her on the ground training as an advocate reviewer with both Quantum Health and BSAC and is enrolled in the Patient Advocacy Training in Health Science course with Stanford Medicine. Her 30+ career in corporate marketing/communications, program development and non-profit leadership augmented by her breast cancer treatment experience serves Carolyn well in representing and communicating the patient voice and perspective.

She received her BA (History/English Lit) and MA (Public History/Research and Record Management) from the University of San Diego, is a proud fifth generation San Franciscan, and active board member with numerous non-profits that support social work and the arts.

Silver Alkhafaji

Silver Alkhafaji is a PhD candidate in the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics (PSPG) program at UCSF. She received her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Biology from UC Berkeley. Prior to UCSF, she worked in the Clinical Pharmacology Department at Genentech. Silver’s current research focuses on non-invasive liquid biopsies to predict response and side effects of immunotherapies and endocrine therapies in early-stage breast cancer participants in I-SPY 2.

Silver is interested in clinical outcomes research to advance precision medicine and improve cancer patients’ quality of life. She is passionate about health equity, inclusive research, patient advocacy, and women’s health.
Silver volunteers at the Patient and Family Cancer Support Center at UCSF where she assists in patient navigation and connecting patients and their families with resources that improve their healthcare experience while receiving cancer treatments and/or during survivorship. 

Through her DEI work in her PhD program, Silver raises awareness around issues related to social justice and community building through organizing community-centered events. Additionally, she is a member of the Life Sciences Career Advisory Council at Thrive Scholars, where she enjoys supporting college students of color from economically disadvantaged communities in providing the opportunities they need to thrive at top colleges and in high-trajectory careers. 

Silver is a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Alameda Branch where she focuses her efforts on increasing membership of community college women coming from exceptional backgrounds: student parents, low-income, and first-generation college students.

In her free time, she writes poetry and prose on emotional healing, radical acceptance, and patience. Writing has helped her process difficult situations and connect with people on a deeper level.

Jane Mortimer

Jane is a breast cancer survivor and advocate dedicated to positively impacting the lives of women affected by the disease. Diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2012, she participated in the I-SPY 2 trial at UCSF and has been cancer free for more than ten years.

Her advocacy journey began in 2003 at UCSF as a volunteer with the Patient and Family Cancer Support Center and Decision Support Services and she previously managed the Peer Support program at UCSF. Drawing on her experience in marketing and media strategy, she uses her skills to make a meaningful impact by supporting advocacy and research that improves outcomes for women living with breast cancer.

Jan Tomlinson

In March of 2023 , Jan was diagnosed with a large aggressive triple negative breast cancer and informed that her cancer was the” bad girl” of cancer and offered standard chemotherapy for 24 weeks. Devasted by the diagnosis Jan felt like she had a dire prognosis. After seeking several opinions, she opted to join a Clinical Trial program for her treatment. The trial consisted of significantly less chemotherapy, and monitored closely over a 12-week period, The data predicted a complete pathological response , and she then went immediately to surgery. Pathology reports supported that she had a successful outcome reaching PCR meaning the tumor was gone, and no residual cancer was found in the surrounding tissue or lymph nodes. Jan was thrilled when her surgeon advised her of the results. The experience made Jan want to give back and share information that she received when she was at a critical juncture in her diagnosis. She is so passionate about making sure that everyone knows that the standard of care is one treatment option.

As she says, “ clinical trials have to be on the table” Because she achieved PCR, she expects a great outcome. She wants to share her story and encourage other women to strongly consider and participate in clinical trials. Jan is a UCSF Patient Advocate, involved in several programs they lead. Jan also is a BLACC Cab Member. Jan recently was in Washington DC to participate on a panel on Clinical Trials for ISPY at the National Press Club. UCSF will be hosting the RISE Up For Breast Cancer event where Jan will share her experience with clinical trials.

Deborah Collyar

Deb is a connector who founded Patient Advocates in Research (PAIR) “where research meets reality,” bringing ideas and people together for medical advances that offer real results for diverse patients and families.

Her vast experience between the worlds of tech, communication, strategy, management, policy, and equity bridges gaps between patients, scientists, medical providers, payers, governments, and non-profits.

Deb infuses patient engagement into projects, gathers relevant patient input, and encompasses many diseases, programs and policies at grassroots, national and international levels through companies, academia, and governments.

Key patient insights are delivered throughout discovery, development, clinical trials, results reporting, data-sharing, standards, genomics, and into practice.

Her experience spans translational and clinical research, epidemiology, health outcomes, and health delivery research with academia, federal agencies, companies, and patient communities.