News Flash 5.2017 - Trends and Innovations in the Field of Oncology, 2017

 

According to the WHO (World Health Organization) data, the absolute number of new cancer patients diagnosed annually all over the world, is going to increase by about 50% over the next two decades. However, it is important to note that when specifically referring to developed countries (e.g. the USA and Western Europe), this expected increase can be mainly attributed to the increase in life expectancy and the growing population of older adults who are naturally at a higher risk of developing cancer. 

During the same time-period, the absolute number of cancer patients dying of the disease is going to increase as well. Yet, most of these cancer deaths (about seven out of ten) refer to developing countries (e.g. Africa, Asia, South America) where there is less accessibility to health services and the possibility of getting the proper care is lower.

As opposed to this pessimistic data, mortality due to cancer for most patients diagnosed in developed countries is less common: during the last four decades, there has been an increase of more than 30% in the survival rates of both children and adults. The reason for this increase is that, today more than ever, the field of cancer research is progressing rapidly. During the last few years, innovative technologies have been developed, while new drugs, based on varied biological mechanisms that until recently were unknown, have been approved.

The development of these drugs is a breakthrough in cancer research allowing physicians to cope better with hard-to-treat cancers and advanced disease. One of the prominent examples are the immunotherapy drugs, which help the immune system to fight against tumor cells. These new drugs, some of which have been approved only recently, are today an integral part of the total treatment program in different types of cancer like lung cancer, lymphoma etc. Many other drugs with similar mechanisms are in different stages of development, bringing us closer towards new horizons in cancer treatment. 

 

Burstein H. et al (2017) J Clin Oncol 35: 1341-1367