Lucie Schroeder, 65, was diagnosed with stage IV renal cell carcinoma in early November 2025. At the time of diagnosis, her tumor was determined to be unresectable, so she was not considered a surgical candidate. Along with a cancer diagnosis she was faced with hyperparathyroidism which amplified her symptoms and was removed April 2026. Lucie completed five cycles of chemotherapy and immune therapy with no significant change in her imaging. Her TCCC oncologist, Dr Phinney, had ordered molecular testing from a tissue biopsy and identified Lucie to be eligible for a novel experimental precision therapy which specifically targets her unique molecular makeup.
Upon starting clinical trial, Lucie needed assistance with some activities of daily living and was not able to drive her car. Since starting clinical trial in May 2026 with clinical research nurse Samantha Lepper, she has had a 30% decrease in her cancerous lesions, no serious side effects from the treatment, has regained independence for all her activities and started driving again. Lucie states “I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this research. It has given me the hope for the future and to live a more active life.” Lucie continues on clinical trial precision treatment in hope of expanding cancer shrinkage to possibly enable complete surgical resection.