Cancer remains a profound global health challenge, impacting millions of lives worldwide with its staggering toll. According to the Global Cancer Observatory, in the United States alone, recent figures reveal over 2.3 million new cases and over 605, 000 deaths in 2022 ⁽¹⁾. In Africa*, the number reaches 1,185,216 new cases and 763,843 deaths for the same year ⁽²⁾ and in India 1,413,316 new cases and 916,827 deaths ⁽³⁾.  In the United States alone, recent figures reveal 1.9 million new cases and over 600,000 deaths in 2022⁽¹⁾. Globally, it stands as the second leading cause of death, claiming nearly 10 million lives in 2018. However, amidst these thought-provoking statistics, there is hope. With ongoing cancer research breakthroughs and advancements in cancer treatment, we are gaining a deeper understanding of cancer’s complexities, offering renewed optimism for developing more effective treatments to combat this formidable adversary. This article explores six promising advances in cancer care, from cancer diagnosis to treatment and therapies.

Cancer Diagnostic 

1. Genetic Testing — A Game-Changer⁽⁴⁾ 

Genetic testing has revolutionized cancer care by analyzing a patient’s DNA to pinpoint genetic mutations relevant to cancer risk and treatment. It utilizes blood, saliva, or tissue samples to assess hereditary risk and tumor profiles. For instance, tests like BRCA1/BRCA2 can unveil inherited mutations predisposing individuals to breast and ovarian cancer, while EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) testing reveals mutations impacting responses to lung cancer treatments. These cancer diagnostic breakthroughs enable tailored approaches, optimizing treatment outcomes. 

2. Liquid Biopsies⁽⁵⁾ 

Liquid biopsies offer a less invasive method compared to traditional tissue biopsies. They examine blood or other bodily fluids for cancer cells or DNA fragments released by tumors. This technique facilitates early cancer detection, treatment response monitoring, and identification of treatment-resistant mutations, thus enabling more prompt and tailored treatment choices. 

Targeted Immunotherapies

3. CAR-T Cell Therapy (CAR-T)⁽⁶⁾ 

CAR-T cell therapy boosts the body’s immune response to fight cancer by modifying the patient’s own T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells more precisely. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, it targets cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. 

CAR-T therapy enhances the immune system’s ability to combat cancer by modifying T cells with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that specifically binds to cancer cell proteins. It’s mainly used for blood cancers like lymphomas and leukemias. 

This cancer therapy advance has shown impressive success in treating advanced blood cancers, often leading to long-lasting remissions. FDA-approved examples include Kymriah®, Yescarta®, Tecartus®, Breyanzi®, Abecma®, and Carvykti®. 

4. Immune Checkpoint Therapy⁽⁷⁾ 

One type of immunotherapy, called checkpoint inhibitors, blocks inhibitory signals in the immune system, allowing it to target and attack cancer cells more aggressively. Initially approved in 2011 for melanoma, checkpoint inhibitors have since been endorsed for various cancers (such as lung, liver and colorectal cancers) and are a key advance in cancer immunotherapy. 

CAR-T cell therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor approaches offer promising avenues for cancer treatment, especially in specific contexts. Researchers are exploring whether combining the two therapies could enhance treatment outcomes. However, this area is still under investigation. 

5. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a type of cancer treatment that blends immunotherapy and targeted therapy. They use monoclonal antibodies, chemotherapy, and a linker protein to target cancer cells directly, avoiding the harmful effects of traditional chemotherapy. Essentially, ADCs combine the accuracy of targeted therapy with the immune-boosting effects of immunotherapy, offering hope for better outcomes in cancer treatment. 

ADCs have shown great potential and have already been established as strong candidates for targeted cancer therapy with the recent success of a few products. ⁽⁸⁾ 

Advances in Radiation Therapies

6. Brachytherapy 

Recent advances in radiation therapies include real-time targeting with tracers, which adjusts radiation delivery based on PET technology feedback; radiopharmaceuticals that target cancer cells at the cellular level; and FLASH radiotherapy, which delivers ultra-high-intensity radiation. Brachytherapy, known as internal radiation therapy, also plays a pivotal role in cancer treatment. Brachytherapy achieves precise targeting by delivering radiation directly inside or near the tumor, which minimizes damage to healthy tissues and reduces side effects, marking significant advances in cancer treatment techniques. Recent data supports its efficacy, ⁽⁹⁾ positioning brachytherapy for a renaissance in cancer care.  

The landscape of cancer care is continually evolving, driven by research and advancements that promise a future of more personalized and accessible treatments worldwide. Cancer diagnostic breakthroughs and targeted therapies like CAR-T cell therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are at the forefront of this battle against cancer. Additionally, innovative radiation treatments such as brachytherapy are transforming cancer care, underscoring the significant cancer treatment advances benefiting researchers, physicians, and patients alike. 

References

1. 840-united-states-of-america-fact-sheet.pdf (who.int)  

2. 903-africa-fact-sheet.pdf (who.int)  

3. 356-india-fact-sheet.pdf (who.int) 

4. Genetic Testing Fact Sheet – NCI (cancer.gov) 

5. Liquid biopsies: the future of cancer early detection 

6. CAR T cells vs. immune checkpoint drugs | Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (acgtfoundation.org) 

7. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors – NCI (cancer.gov) 

8. Frontiers | Antibody-drug conjugates: the paradigm shifts in the targeted cancer therapy (frontiersin.org) 
9. The EMBRACE II study: The outcome and prospect of two decades of evolution within the GEC-ESTRO GYN working group and the EMBRACE studies – Clinical and Translational Radiation Oncology (ctro.science)