Oncology asks to add technological innovation to pharmaceutical innovation

pharmaceutical innovation This has important implications for cancer patients: not only does it reduce mortality, but in some cases it delays the average age of death. But to achieve greater positive impact in a collaborative approach to cancer pathology, it is necessary to complement it with other issues: “We need research and innovation, and innovation must not only be pharmaceutical, but also technological, fundamental to advances in other therapeutic areas.” areas such as surgery or radiation therapy. And, of course, in diagnostics, which also requires the introduction of the latest generation,” explains Javier de Castrovice president Spanish Society of Medical Oncology and medical oncologist at the University Hospital of La Paz.

Farmmaindustria recently organized a conference to discuss the relationship between pharmaceutical innovation and cancer mortality in Spain between 1999 and 2016. The author of the study was invited to structure the session: Frank R. Lichtenbergwho noted that the number of deaths from this disease has increased from 82,000 to 100,000 and that but for this pioneering commitment, the total would have risen “much more” until it reached 144,000. In addition, he recalled that average age of death due to this pathology, it was extended for approximately three years.

At this point, De Castro recalls that this type of innovation is “logically important” because it represents the final stage that responds to patientsbut clarifies: “Innovation is the result of several stages; the first is the acquisition of fundamental knowledge that allows you to find out cancer biology and be able to come up with solutions, and that’s research.”

Thus, this research becomes crucial for making progress. Firstly, as the specialist clarifies, it is basic, where the above-mentioned biological foundations are laid; second progressivein which they are looking for Practical use, and the final part will be clinical studies with trials which confirms the benefit. “Therefore, the process must be clearly defined to achieve the end result,” he elaborates.

The importance of innovation in oncological diagnostics

That is, pharmaceutical innovations must be complemented by the above technological take steps forward in other areas, including diagnosis. “Unless there is a better diagnosis, the patient will not be offered better treatment options,” he recalls.

In addition, the SEOM Vice President raises another point: in the field of cancer, as well as in modern medicine in general, the end result of the implementation of cutting-edge innovations is precision medicine. “When it comes to cancer, today we’re talking about genetic research of tumors to better understand their behavior and use targeted therapies that facilitate personalization of treatment,” he gives an example.

Moreover, diagnostic innovations have been “key” in the field of imaging, including such modern low-level PET or CT technologies; and work is being done in a “fundamental area” such as blood tumor diagnosisin the concept of liquid biopsy.