Authors
Bijay Naira
Abstract
Background: This interview explores recent advancements in medical oncology, encompassing diagnostic techniques, management strategies, and future perspectives on cancer care. It highlights a significant shift from a previously nihilistic view to one offering extended life and improved quality for many cancer patients.
Advances: Significant progress has been made in therapeutic approaches, driven by an enhanced understanding of cancer biology and the identification of drugable targets (e.g., Her2Neu). Preventive strategies, including tobacco awareness and screening tools (e.g., Pap smear, mammography), have also improved outcomes. Notable treatment breakthroughs include targeted therapies like imatinib for CML, trastuzumab for breast cancer, EGFR inhibitors for lung cancer, and proteasome inhibitors/immunomodulatory agents for multiple myeloma. Immunooncology, with PD-1 inhibitors like nivolumab and pembrolizumab, shows great promise. Diagnostic techniques have advanced with CT-guided biopsies, PET scans, EUS, EBUS, and ERCP.
Challenges: Hurdles include persistent tobacco use, underutilized screening due to financial barriers, and the escalating, unsustainable cost of cancer care, particularly for non-curative, long-term therapies.
Future Directions: The future of cancer therapy is promising, moving towards management based on underlying driver mutations rather than cancer site. While cure remains elusive for most late-stage cancers, the goal is to enable patients to live with cancer as a chronic disease, underscoring the critical importance of preventive strategies.