Balwinder Kaur Kumar

Caris testing showed that Balwinder was MSI-High. This finding helped to determine if she was on the proper treatment regime and if the treatment plan should continue. With the aggressive nature of gallbladder cancer, it gave her peace of mind that immunotherapy was going to be the primary strategy, with chemotherapy as a secondary treatment. Caris’ comprehensive testing gave her GI medical oncology specialist a molecular roadmap and extensive genomic data. Through testing, her physician noted that she had a BRCA1 mutation. With this finding, he did not recommend removing chemotherapy completely since patients with BRCA1 mutations tend to respond well to platinum-based chemotherapies. Overall, with Caris test findings, she was allowed to start on lower doses of chemotherapy instead of the full dose so that her treatment would have fewer side effects and be more manageable. She eventually discontinued the cisplatin early during cycle 6 due to chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, and her care team felt comfortable stopping the chemo because they knew the immunotherapy was the primary agent helping her due to being MSI-High.

Balwinder responded well to the treatment. By September 2023, she was in complete remission. She continues to take Imfinzi (durvalumab) every four weeks as maintenance therapy and is doing well, staying active and enjoying life.

Sanjeev advocated for Caris testing, recognizing that biomarker testing is critical in guiding the best treatment options for patients and physicians. He feels it is an essential part of personalized medicine. Patients harboring certain mutations may require different treatment modalities. Performing biomarker testing early on can help guide patients and allow them to form a plan with their oncologists if they progress or tell them what clinical trials may be available. Stage IV gallbladder cancer is extremely aggressive, and patients generally survive only months, not years. Every day is critical for these patients, and performing testing early can help save time if they progress after first-line therapy. 

Balwinder’s story is a testament to the power of advanced precision medicine and the importance of treating every patient for their unique genomic makeup.  Balwinder is retired from nursing and living life to the fullest. She lives in Springfield, Ohio, with her son and enjoys spending time with her granddaughters, Jaz and Meera. She loves cooking and watching Indian shows, movies, and news.