Cancer Patient Cycles Over 100 Miles While Undergoing Treatment
64-year-old Jorge Manchola has always lived an active lifestyle. Since he was a teenager, his favorite hobby has been cycling. The only time he took a brief break from doing what he loved most was when he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2023.
He underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy at a community hospital, but switched to Moffitt Cancer Center when the treatment stopped working. His cancer had spread to other parts of his body, including his brain and right knee, and he was unable to walk on his own.
After evaluating Manchola’s case, thoracic oncologist Tawee Tanvetyanon, MD, believed he was a fit for a clinical trial.
“This phase 1 clinical trial is for patients with KRAS G12D mutated solid tumors, and it is open to all cancer types,” Tanvetyanon said. “About 2% of lung cancer patients have this mutation.”
Patients enrolled in the trial take an oral medication called zoldonrasib, which has been shown to block the cancer's growth signal.
After a few months of the treatment, Manchola’s tumors have shrunk , and he is no longer using a wheelchair.
“My younger years in the military taught me never to give up,” Manchola said. “After my cancer diagnosis, I refused to let fear take over. Faith over fear.”
After regaining his muscles and strength, Manchola has returned to doing what he loves most: cycling.
“I recently cycled over 100 miles, not once, not twice, but three times,” he said. “I want to keep pushing myself further. I never gave up throughout this process and I never will.”
As for the clinical trial, Tanvetyanon says the next step will be to use the same treatment in a larger scale trial, aimed at leading to U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in the future.
