Willie Utley is a 74-year-old male who came to Taylor Family Research Center following extensive treatment for advanced colorectal cancer. Initially treatments involved neoadjuvant FOLFOX6, bevacizumab and surgical resection. However, the cancer returned requiring surgery to remove metastatic disease in the liver and further systemic treatment with capecitabine. When the cancer returned for a third time, Mr. Utley’s physician referred him to Taylor Cancer Research Center for treatment on a precision therapy clinical trial with Dr. Desai (Research Nurse Jennifer Martinez). Cycle 1 Day 1 of the research precision treatment was 12/06/2025.
After 16 weeks of treatment without any significant side effects, imaging showed a partial response. His tumor had shrunk by 48%. Mr. Utley’s reaction said it all: "It felt really good knowing that the treatment was working."
Twelve weeks later, the scans demonstrated that no visible tumors remained. "It felt like a gift from God," Mr. Utley reflected. Mr. Utley continues on trial today in hope of preventing disease recurrence.