Report includes significant research and policy developments of 2012
The report by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) titled Clinical Cancer Advances 2012: ASCO’s Annual Report on Progress Against Cancer describes key achievements in precision medicine, cancer screening, and overcoming treatment resistance.
“Consistent, significant achievements are being made in oncology care with novel therapeutics, even in malignancies that have previously had few treatment options, as well as defining factors that will predict for response to treatment,” said Bruce Roth, MD, coexecutive editor of the report.
Due to the increasing understanding of the complex biology of cancer, the top clinical research advances of 2012 include 7 new FDA approvals for anticancer agents, some of which will help patients with treatment-resistant forms of cancer.
Some of the top 2012 cancer advances are:
· New therapies that delay progression of advanced breast cancer:
1. Combining targeted therapy and hormonal therapy delays disease progression in postmenopausal women with advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer
2. An armed antibody, or “smart bomb,” called TDM-1 selectively distributes medicine to HER2-positive breast cancer cells and leaves healthy cells alone
· Research results showing that survival for patients with esophageal cancer improves with preoperative chemotherapy and radiation
· The discovery that screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy reduces colorectal cancer incidence and death rates
A section is also included in this year’s report that defines some of the significant cancer policy issues confronting physicians and patients. These include addressing the nation’s cancer drug shortages, and guaranteeing all patients have access to high-quality care.
National investment in clinical cancer research on prevention, screening, survival, and quality of life for patients with cancer is reflected in the large number of advances featured in this year’s report. Now in its 8th year, the report features 87 studies, 17 of which were designated as major advances by the report’s 21-person editorial board.
Source: ASCO.