Prostate cancer death rates in the EU are expected to fall, but Poland's rates are rising. Women's lung and pancreatic cancer death rates continue to climb. The European Society for Medical Oncology predicts these trends will impact cancer mortality.
Regular aspirin use is linked to reduced risk of bowel, oesophageal, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. Aspirin doses between 75-500mg/day are associated with increased cancer risk reduction.
The blood test uses methylation patterns to detect cancer and identify its origin, achieving a 93% accuracy rate. It can detect over 50 cancer types, including the most deadly ones, with a low false positive rate of 0.7%, often before symptoms show up.
New research suggests that higher concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) may be a probable cause of breast cancer. Studies found an association between IGF-1 and breast cancer development, with higher levels linked to increased risk. The findings support a causal role of the IGF pathway in breast cancer development.
For the first time, a cancer patient has given birth to a healthy baby using lab-matured eggs that were frozen, thawed, and fertilized five years later. The breakthrough achievement demonstrates the potential of in vitro maturation (IVM) for fertility preservation in cancer patients.
Professor Lillian Siu receives TAT 2020 Honorary Award for her contributions to early drug development and phase I trials in head and neck malignancies. She advances the field of cancer drug development with innovative clinical trial designs and methodologies.
A phase III study shows that HLX02, a Chinese-made biosimilar of trastuzumab, has an overall response rate of 71% at week 24, comparable to the reference medication. The treatment is safe and effective, with similar rates of adverse events and no differences in safety profiles or immunogenicity.
A phase 3 study showed that combining PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab and VEGF inhibitor bevacizumab significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with unresectable HCC. The treatment combination also increased overall response rate and delayed deterioration in quality of life.
Gajewski's research found that a 'hot' or T cell inflamed tumour microenvironment is key to unlocking immunotherapy efficacy. STING agonists and targeted therapies are being developed to combat 'cold' tumours with limited immune response.
A new blood test can identify complex DNA mutations in lung cancer patients, replacing invasive biopsies. The test has shown promise in detecting ALK genetic mutations, which respond well to targeted therapy.
A phase III trial has shown that targeted therapy ivosidenib improves progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with IDH1-mutated cholangiocarcinoma. The study demonstrated the feasibility of targeting a molecularly defined subgroup, leading to potential changes in clinical practice.
A recent study presented at the ESMO Congress 2019 found that nearly four times more patients responded to immunotherapy with pembrolizumab than standard chemotherapy in a trial for advanced mesothelioma. However, these responses did not delay progression or improve survival rates.
A recent study has shown that targeting faulty DNA repair mechanisms can slow the progression of advanced prostate cancer and improve survival rates. The PROfound trial demonstrated a significant delay in cancer progression with olaparib, compared to new hormonal agents, in patients with metastatic, pre-treated prostate cancer.
Two studies show that CDK4/6 inhibitors plus fulvestrant significantly improve overall survival in hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer. The combination is recommended as a standard of care for patients with metastatic disease.
A new phase III trial found that immune therapy added to chemotherapy improved pathological complete response in patients with early triple negative breast cancer, leading to a clinically meaningful benefit and potential cure for more patients. The study also indicated an improvement in event-free survival.
A new trial shows that adding a PARP inhibitor to bevacizumab improves ovarian cancer patients' chances of responding to chemotherapy. The study found median progression-free survival of 22.1 months in the olaparib arm, compared to 16.6 months in the placebo group.
First-line osimertinib significantly lengthens overall survival compared to older generation EGFR-TKIs in patients with Ex19del/L858R EGFR mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The median overall survival with osimertinib was 38.6 months, with over half of patients alive at three years.
The CheckMate-227 trial found that the combination of nivolumab and low-dose ipilimumab improves overall survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer compared to chemotherapy. The treatment was well-tolerated, with a low rate of discontinuation and treatment-related toxicities.
A liquid biopsy test can predict which patients with colorectal cancer are likely to relapse after surgery, and guide treatment. The test identified patients who were more or less likely to remain disease-free two years after chemotherapy.
Researchers found that combination immunotherapy increases the 5-year overall survival rate to 52%, compared to 26% for ipilimumab monotherapy, and preserves quality of life. The therapy has a high cure rate and is effective even in patients who stop treatment due to side effects.
A new trial found that men with prostate cancer who receive radiotherapy after surgery have no difference in disease recurrence compared to those who do not. The study suggests that observation should be the standard approach and radiotherapy only used if the cancer comes back.
Two studies investigated links between clinical benefit and pricing in Europe and the USA, finding that many new anti-cancer medicines had low added value. The median monthly cost of these drugs was EUR2,525 more than comparator drugs in Europe, but not associated with improved outcomes.
A new electronic nose can identify lung cancer patients who will respond to immunotherapy with 85% accuracy, outperforming the current gold standard of immunohistochemistry. The non-invasive test detects chemicals in patient breath and provides instant feedback, potentially avoiding ineffective treatment and side effects.
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has announced the winners of its annual awards, recognizing Prof. Eric Van Cutsem's pioneering work in gastrointestinal oncology and Dr. Angelo Di Leo's lifetime achievements in cancer research and education. The ESMO Women for Oncology Award was also presented to Prof. Cristiana Sessa, ...
A new combination of targeted therapies improved overall survival and objective response in patients with BRAF-mutant colorectal tumours. The BEACON CRC Phase III trial showed that triplet therapy significantly outperformed standard care, suggesting a potential replacement for chemotherapy for eligible patients.
A study at ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer 2019 found that a more flexible dosing regimen for regorafenib improves patients' quality of life while maintaining its efficacy. The reduced and intermittent dose groups showed numerical improvements in tolerance to side effects such as fatigue and hand-foot syndrome.
A new study found that gastric cancer is affecting more young Hispanic people in the US, with poorer outcomes than older patients. Women under 40 were more likely to have diffuse-type tumours and stage IV disease at diagnosis, leading to a median overall survival of just 7 months.
Researchers found HPV16 antibodies develop in body between 6-40 years prior to throat cancer diagnosis, increasing risk significantly. The presence of these antibodies indicates a strong increased risk of disease, particularly among white people, with an estimated 100-fold increase compared to black people.
Researchers found that omitting chemotherapy in HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer can significantly shorten progression-free survival but not overall survival. The PERNETTA trial suggests that targeted therapy alone may be safe for patients with low-to-intermediate tumour burden.
The ESMO Breast Cancer Congress stresses the need for a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, including cardiovascular assessment and nutritional support. A study presented at the congress found that dietary guidelines can lead to weight loss and improved quality of life in breast cancer patients.
The global HER2 testing survey reveals major access and affordability issues in low and middle income countries, with some upper middle income countries also affected. The study suggests that governments need better information to set planning priorities for investing in infrastructure, testing, and treatment.
Studies presented at ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2019 found that young women with breast cancer tend to have more aggressive tumour subtypes, including triple negative and HER2 positive types. However, proper treatment according to guidelines resulted in good survival rates and local recurrence outcomes.
Patients with advanced HER2-negative breast cancer treated with continuous chemotherapy showed improved survival rates and maintained quality of life compared to intermittent scheduling. The study also found that treatment holidays had a negative impact on physical quality of life scores, with a clinically meaningful decline at 24 months.
The CheckMate 451 study found that maintenance immunotherapy did not prolong overall survival in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. However, the study suggested that patients who received early maintenance therapy may have longer progression-free survival rates.
New studies provide insights into the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy in elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Real-life studies suggest that elderly patients may have shorter overall survival but similar toxicity rates compared to younger patients.
Professor Jonas Bergh is recognized for his work on breast cancer biology, including tailored treatments and the impact of chemotherapy. He has made significant contributions to primary breast cancer treatment through his involvement in clinical trials and research collaborations.
Francoise Mornex, a renowned French oncologist, has been awarded the prestigious Heine H. Hansen Award for her groundbreaking contributions to the treatment of lung cancer. Her research focuses on combined chemoradiation strategies, multimodality treatment, and innovative radiotherapy techniques.
Researchers have developed a new method to detect small fragments of cancerous genetic material in blood samples from lung cancer patients. The method, called liquid biopsy, uses ultra-deep next-generation sequencing and machine learning to identify genetic variants driving the cancer or making it resistant to treatment.
Breast cancer death rates are predicted to fall in all EU countries except Poland, where they will rise by 2%. The burden of the disease is expected to increase due to an aging population. Lung cancer remains the biggest killer in both sexes, with a predicted decrease in men's death rates.
The proportion of early-stage drug trials tackling rare cancer types has increased sharply, with the analysis highlighting a changing treatment landscape. New molecularly-targeted anticancer drugs and immunotherapy are being evaluated for less common tumour types.
A study published in Annals of Oncology found that one course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy after surgery does not have a long-term effect on sperm count and concentration in men with early stage testicular cancer. Sperm number and concentration recovered in all groups up to five years after treatment.
Shapiro's comprehensive program in early cancer drug development has provided scientific and clinical direction for multiple investigational agents. His work has contributed to the advancement of several approved drugs, including CDK4/6 inhibitors.
Researchers have developed techniques to personalize anticancer vaccines based on individual patient genomic information, targeting unique tumor mutations. Early results show promise in inducing potent immune responses.
The MYSTIC trial found that first line immunotherapy combination with durvalumab and tremelimumab does not improve overall survival in unselected patients with lung cancer. However, a subgroup of patients with high tumour mutational burden showed improved overall survival with the combination treatment.
The ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress highlighted promising new technologies for cancer treatment, including multiplex immunohistochemistry and bispecific antibodies. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and neoantigen therapeutics also showed promise in treating a greater proportion of patients with cancer.
Researchers predict a decline in cancer death rates in Australasian countries and Russia in 2018. However, the largest number of deaths are predicted for Russia, mainly due to high rates among men who still smoke. The study highlights the need for urgent measures on tobacco control in Russia.
A Malaysian survey found that misconceptions about opioids affect pain control among cancer patients, with fears of addiction and immune system damage being the most common barriers. The study highlights the need for improved accessibility to pain relief treatments in low- and middle-income countries.
Cornelis Melief is recognized for his life's work in studying the interactions of the immune system with cancer, leading to the development of new therapeutic cancer vaccine strategies. His research has shown clinical effectiveness in treating patients with pre-malignant lesions caused by HPV type 16.
Oncologists require more education on the use of biosimilars, which could increase patient access to innovative therapies due to economic constraints. ESMO supports their use as cheaper alternatives to reference biologics, promoting sustainable and widely accessible cancer care.
A phase II/III study found that a high concentration of multi-strain probiotic helped reduce mild to moderate episodes of chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea (CID) in cancer patients. The probiotic also reduced levels of inflammatory markers, although it did not meet its primary endpoint.