Precision Medicine in Oncology

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Introduction: Precision medicine in oncology represents a groundbreaking approach to cancer care. It is a paradigm shift from one-size-fits-all treatments to personalized therapies tailored to an individual's unique genetic, molecular, and clinical profile. This approach offers the promise of more effective treatments and better outcomes for cancer patients.

Subtopics in Precision Medicine in Oncology:

Genomic Profiling : Explore how advancements in genomic sequencing technologies have enabled the identification of genetic mutations and alterations in cancer cells, guiding treatment decisions based on a patient's genetic makeup.

Targeted Therapies : Delve into the development and use of targeted therapies that specifically target the molecular abnormalities driving cancer growth, minimizing side effects and maximizing treatment efficacy.

Immunotherapy and Biomarkers : Examine the role of biomarkers in predicting a patient's response to immunotherapy, enabling the selection of the most appropriate immunotherapeutic agents for individual cancer cases.

Liquid Biopsies and Monitoring : Learn about liquid biopsies, non-invasive tests that analyze circulating tumor DNA or proteins in the bloodstream, and how they facilitate real-time monitoring of cancer progression and treatment response.

Patient-Centric Care : Explore the importance of patient-centered care in precision oncology, focusing on the partnership between patients, healthcare providers, and researchers to make informed treatment decisions tailored to individual needs and preferences.

Tumor Microenvironment

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Introduction: The tumor microenvironment is a complex and dynamic ecosystem surrounding cancer cells within tumors. This environment plays a crucial role in cancer progression and response to treatment. Understanding the components and interactions within the tumor microenvironment is essential for developing effective therapies and improving patient outcomes.

Subtopics in the Tumor Microenvironment:

Cellular Players : Explore the diverse cell types found within the tumor microenvironment, including immune cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, and their roles in cancer growth and immune response.

Extracellular Matrix (ECM) : Investigate the extracellular matrix, composed of proteins and carbohydrates, and its influence on cancer cell behavior, invasion, and drug resistance within the tumor microenvironment.

Immune Suppression and Checkpoints : Examine the immunosuppressive mechanisms at play in the tumor microenvironment, including immune checkpoints, and how they hinder the body's ability to mount an effective anti-cancer response.

Angiogenesis and Blood Vessels : Understand the process of angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, within the tumor microenvironment, and how it supports tumor growth and metastasis.

Therapeutic Targeting : Explore strategies for targeting the tumor microenvironment as a therapeutic approach, including immunotherapies, anti-angiogenic agents, and combination therapies that disrupt the support network of cancer cells.

Cancer Immunology

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Introduction: Cancer immunology is a dynamic and evolving field that explores the intricate relationship between the immune system and cancer. By understanding how cancer cells evade immune surveillance and developing strategies to harness the power of the immune system, researchers have opened new avenues for cancer treatment and immunotherapy.

Subtopics in Cancer Immunology:

Immune Evasion Mechanisms : Investigate the various tactics employed by cancer cells to evade detection and attack by the immune system, including immune checkpoint pathways and tumor microenvironment manipulation.

Immunotherapy Approaches : Explore the revolutionary field of cancer immunotherapy, including checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy, and vaccines, which aim to enhance the body's natural ability to fight cancer.

Immune System Activation : Understand the mechanisms that stimulate the immune system to recognize and target cancer cells, with a focus on immunostimulatory agents and adoptive cell therapies.

Immune-Mediated Side Effects : Examine the potential side effects and immune-related adverse events associated with immunotherapy, emphasizing the need for careful patient monitoring and management.

Personalized Immunotherapy : Explore the concept of tailoring immunotherapy approaches based on an individual's immune profile, genomic markers, and tumor characteristics, paving the way for personalized cancer treatments.

Cancer Genetics and Genomics

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Introduction: Cancer genetics and genomics have emerged as pivotal fields in the understanding and treatment of cancer. They delve deep into the genetic alterations and genomic changes that drive cancer development, offering insights into personalized therapies and precision medicine.

Subtopics in Cancer Genetics and Genomics:

Genetic Mutations and Oncogenes : Explore the specific genetic mutations and oncogenes responsible for initiating and promoting cancer growth, shedding light on targeted therapies and potential drug targets.

Tumor Suppressor Genes : Investigate the role of tumor suppressor genes in preventing cancer and how their inactivation or mutations contribute to tumor formation, providing avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Genomic Profiling and Biomarkers : Delve into the use of genomic profiling to identify cancer-specific biomarkers, enabling the development of personalized treatment strategies and early detection methods.

Epigenetics and Cancer : Examine the epigenetic changes that influence gene expression in cancer cells, leading to a better understanding of how environmental factors impact cancer development.

Genomic Medicine and Targeted Therapies : Explore the practical applications of cancer genomics in the development of targeted therapies, including immunotherapies and precision medicine approaches that aim to improve patient outcomes

Cancer Epidemiology

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Introduction: Cancer epidemiology is a critical branch of public health and medicine that delves into the patterns, causes, and distribution of cancer within populations. By examining these factors, epidemiologists can uncover valuable insights to inform prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies for this complex and multifaceted disease.

Subtopics in Cancer Epidemiology:

Incidence and Prevalence Trends : Explore the changing patterns of cancer occurrence over time and across different regions, providing vital data for healthcare planning and resource allocation.

Risk Factors and Carcinogens : Investigate the various environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors that contribute to cancer development, such as tobacco use, diet, and exposure to carcinogenic substances.

Screening and Early Detection : Examine the effectiveness of cancer screening programs and their impact on early diagnosis, leading to improved survival rates and treatment outcomes.

Cancer Disparities and Health Inequalities : Address the disparities in cancer incidence, access to care, and outcomes among diverse populations, highlighting the need for equitable healthcare solutions.

Global Cancer Burden : Analyze the worldwide prevalence and impact of cancer, considering its economic, social, and healthcare implications on a global scale.

Oncology Subspecialties

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Introduction: Oncology, the field dedicated to the study and treatment of cancer, has evolved into a multidisciplinary domain with various subspecialties. These subspecialties focus on specific aspects of cancer care and research, reflecting the complexity and diversity of this disease.

Subtopics in Oncology Subspecialties:

Surgical Oncology : Surgical oncologists specialize in the surgical removal of cancerous tumors and tissues. Learn about their role in cancer diagnosis, staging, and curative surgeries.

Medical Oncology : Medical oncologists are experts in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. Explore their pivotal role in systemic cancer treatment and patient care.

Radiation Oncology : Radiation oncologists employ radiation therapy to target and destroy cancer cells. Discover how they plan and administer precise radiation treatments for cancer patients.

Pediatric Oncology : Pediatric oncologists focus on childhood cancers, offering specialized care tailored to the unique needs of young patients and their families.

Hematology-Oncology : Hematologist-oncologists specialize in blood disorders and cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Learn about their dual expertise in blood-related malignancies.

History and Evolution of Oncology

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Introduction: The history and evolution of oncology, the branch of medicine dedicated to the study and treatment of cancer, is a testament to humanity's ongoing battle against one of the most challenging diseases. Over centuries, the understanding of cancer has progressed from mysticism to science, leading to significant advancements in diagnosis and treatment.

Subtopics:

Ancient Perceptions of Cancer : Explore how cancer was perceived in ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece, where it was often associated with mythical beliefs and limited medical knowledge.

Early Medical Observations : Delve into the early medical writings and observations of cancer, from the works of Hippocrates to Galen, which laid the foundation for later developments.

Emergence of Surgical Interventions : Examine the pioneering surgical techniques and innovations by figures like John Hunter and William Halsted, which marked the initial attempts to treat cancer through surgery.

Rise of Radiation Therapy : Trace the historical development of radiation therapy, from Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen's discovery of X-rays to the advent of modern radiotherapy techniques.

Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapies : Explore the evolution of chemotherapy and targeted therapies, highlighting milestones like the discovery of the first chemotherapeutic agents and the emergence of precision medicine in oncology.

Palliative and Supportive Care for Children With Cancer: An Expert Perspective

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Palliative and supportive care plays an important role in caring for children with cancer. Through palliative and supportive care, children and their families receive help with managing the various side effects of cancer and its treatment, including its physical, emotional, social, and financial effects.

In this podcast, Abby Rosenberg, MD, MS, MA, discusses what parents should know about pediatric palliative and supportive care, including what it is, what to expect when meeting with the palliative and supportive care team, and how this type of care helps support children with cancer and their families.

  • What is palliative and supportive care? [01:47]

  • How is palliative and supportive care different than hospice or end-of-life care? [03:20]

  • How can parents know if their child is ready to receive palliative and supportive care? [04:04]

  • How does the palliative and supportive care team provide support for children with cancer? [04:46]

  • What should parents and their children expect when meeting with members of the palliative and supportive care team? [05:41]

  • Does palliative and supportive care also include support for the parents and family members of children with cancer? If so, what does this support look like? [07:00]

Dr. Rosenberg is the chief of pediatric palliative care at the Dana-Farber cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Rosenberg has no relationships relevant to this content to disclose.

Was this podcast useful? Please subscribe, rate, and review cancer.Net Podcasts wherever you listen to podcasts. This prerecorded podcast can be listened to online or downloaded to your computer. A transcript is also available. For more information, visit the cancer.Net podcast page.

cancer.Net podcasts are edited for length and content.

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Bowel cancer treatment breakthrough as scientists solve immune system mystery

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Scientists are hopeful that a new method of treating bowel cancer can be found after their Research solved a decades-long riddle of why the immune system of patients ignores the disease.

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>Researchers at the University of Glasgow and cancer Research UK’s Beatson Institute have discovered how bowel cancer blinds the immune system so it cannot see the cancer and renders it unable to destroy it.

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>Dr Seth Coffelt, who led the Research, said: “Normally, immune cells keep things as they should be, patrolling the bowel like security guards, tackling any harmful bacteria and keeping the gut healthy.

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>“However, when cells in the bowel become cancerous, they fire these ‘security guards’ and all the methods these immune cells use to talk to each other to co-ordinate an immune response no longer get produced.

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>“cancer doesn’t want immune cells recognising them as a threat, so they manipulate the immune cells so they can’t see the threat and simply pass on by leaving the cancer to do its damage.”

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oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>Scientists have said the discovery, published in cancer Immunology Research, a journal of the American Association for cancer Research, opens the door to potentially reversing or preventing this process.

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>Our discovery means that if a way can be found to artificially engage the ‘blinded’ T cells with a drug so that the T cells can see the cancer again, we could find a new effective way to treat bowel cancer

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>Dr Seth Coffelt

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>It would allow the immune system to see the bowel cancer cells and stop them from growing and multiplying.

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, with about 16,800 deaths in the country every year – or 46 every day.

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>In Scotland, around 4,000 people are diagnosed with the disease every year.

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>As part of the work, the Glasgow-based researchers focused on a particular type of immune cell called gamma delta T cells.

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>Bowel cancer begins in the epithelial cells which line the bowel and these T cells patrol this area attacking any threats, such as damaged cells or small tumours, before they cause harm.

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>Scientists already knew that when bowel cancer is present, immune cells that can kill cancer do not often act against the bowel cancer, but they did not know why.

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>Using tissue samples from bowel cancer tumours donated by patients in Scotland, and other countries, scientists were able to identify the specific mechanism the cancer cells use to rewire the gamma delta T cells on a molecular level.

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>The team which made the discovery is now hopeful further Research could offer treatments which could reverse that process.

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>Discovering how the cancer calls trick the immune system offers potential for new treatments which could reactivate these immune cells, researchers said.

oncology.pencis.com/” target=”_blank”>Dr Coffelt said: “Our discovery means that if a way can be found to artificially engage the ‘blinded’ T cells with a drug so that the T cells can see the cancer again, we could find a new effective way to treat bowel cancer.”

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Biomedical Advancements in Cancer

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Biomedical Advancements in Cancer

 

Introduction: In recent years, the field of biomedical advancements in cancer research has witnessed remarkable breakthroughs that have transformed our understanding of the disease and revolutionized treatment options. These advancements offer new hope to patients and hold the promise of improved outcomes in the fight against cancer.

Subtopics in Biomedical Advancements in Cancer:

Immunotherapy and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as a game-changer in cancer treatment, leveraging the body’s immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. CAR-T cell therapy, PD-1 inhibitors, and CTLA-4 inhibitors are some of the key developments in this area.

Precision Medicine and Genomic Profiling: Advancements in genomic sequencing technologies have paved the way for precision medicine in cancer treatment. Tailoring therapies based on the genetic makeup of a patient’s tumor has improved treatment efficacy and reduced side effects.

Liquid Biopsies for Early Detection: Liquid biopsies involve the non-invasive analysis of blood or other bodily fluids to detect cancer-related genetic mutations and biomarkers. These tests offer early detection capabilities and real-time monitoring of cancer progression.

Targeted Therapies and Personalized Cancer Drugs: Targeted therapies are designed to specifically inhibit the molecular pathways driving cancer growth. Advances in drug development have led to a wide range of targeted treatments, enhancing the effectiveness of cancer therapy while minimizing collateral damage to healthy cells.

AI and Machine Learning in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms are being employed to analyze vast datasets of medical information, aiding in early cancer diagnosis, treatment planning, and predicting patient outcomes. These technologies have the potential to optimize cancer care and streamline research efforts.

These subtopics represent just a fraction of the exciting developments in the biomedical field related to cancer research. Continued research and innovation in these areas are bringing us closer to more effective treatments, early detection methods, and improved patient outcomes in the battle against cancer.