Clinical Cancer Advances 2005: Major Research Advances in Cancer Treatment, Prevention, and Screening—A Report From the American Society of Clinical Oncology

A MESSAGE FROM ASCO’s PRESIDENT This year, for the first time, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is publishing Clinical Cancer Advances 2005: Major Research Advances in Cancer Treatment, Prevention, and Screening, an annual review of the most significant clinical research presented or published over the past year across all cancer types. ASCO embarked on this project to provide the public, patients, policymakers, and physicians with an accessible summary of the year's most important research advances. While not intended to serve as a comprehensive review, this report provides a year-end snapshot of research that will have the greatest impact on patient care. As you will read, there is much good news from the front lines of cancer research. These pages report on new chemotherapy regimens that sharply reduce the risk of recurrence for very common cancers; the “coming of age” of targeted cancer therapies; promising studies of drugs to prevent cancer; and improvements in quality of life for people living with the disease, among many other advances. Survival rates for cancer are on the rise, increasing from 50% to 64% over the last 30 years. Cancer still exacts an enormous toll, however. Nearly 1.4 million Americans will be diagnosed this year, and some 570,000 will die of the disease. Clearly, more research is needed to find effective therapies for the most stubborn cancer types and stages. We need to know more about the long-term effects of newer, more targeted cancer therapies, some of which need to be taken over long periods of time. And we need to devote far greater attention to tracking and improving the care of the nearly 10 million cancer survivors in the United States today. Despite these and other challenges, the message of this report is one of hope. Through the dedicated, persistent pursuit of clinical research and participation in clinical trials by people with cancer, we steadily uncover new and better ways of treating, diagnosing, and preventing a disease that touches the lives of so many. I want to thank the Editorial Board members, the Specialty Editors, and the ASCO Cancer Communications Committee for their dedicated work to develop this report, and I hope you find it useful. Sincerely, Sandra J. Horning, MD President American Society of Clinical Oncology

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Clinical Cancer Advances 2006: Major Research Advances in Cancer Treatment, Prevention, and Screening—A Report From the American Society of Clinical Oncology

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2006.09.7030 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 146-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 72

Author(s):

Robert F. Ozols ◽

Roy S. Herbst ◽

Yolonda L. Colson ◽

Julie Gralow ◽

James Bonner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Cancer Research ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Clinical Oncology ◽

The United States ◽

Myelogenous Leukemia ◽

Major Research ◽

The Past ◽

Clinical Cancer ◽

American Society

A MESSAGE FROM ASCO’s PRESIDENTFor the second consecutive year, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is publishing Clinical Cancer Advances: Major Research Advances in Cancer Treatment, Prevention, and Screening, an annual review of the most significant cancer research presented or published over the past year. ASCO developed this report to demonstrate the enormous progress being made on the front lines of cancer research today. The report is intended to give all those with an interest in cancer care—the general public, cancer patients and physicians, policymakers, oncologists, and other medical professionals—an accessible summary of the year's most important cancer research advances. These pages report on new targeted therapies that are improving survival and response rates in hard-to-treat cancers such as kidney cancer, HER-2–positive breast cancer, head and neck cancer, and chronic myelogenous leukemia; the FDA’s approval of the world's first preventive vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV), which has the potential to dramatically reduce the global burden of cervical cancer; and advances in the fast-growing field of personalized medicine, including a new lung cancer test that could help physicians better target treatments and predict prognosis. These advances are only part of the landscape. Survival rates are on the rise, the number of cancer deaths in the United States began declining for the first time since 1930, and new research is showing that the rates of certain common cancers, such as those of the breast and colon, have stabilized, and may have even begun to decline. However, cancer research still faces a number of major obstacles. At a time of extraordinary scientific potential, declining federal funding of cancer research threatens to stall or even reverse recent progress. Such funding cuts have already led to fewer clinical trials, fewer talented young physicians entering the field, and a growing bottleneck of basic science discoveries waiting to be “translated” into useful therapies and diagnostics. In addition to highlighting the major research advances over the past year, this report also identifies key barriers to accelerating the pace of cancer research and outlines ASCO's recommendations for overcoming them. Despite these and other challenges, there is much good news on the front lines of cancer research. This report demonstrates the essential role of clinical cancer research in finding new and better ways to treat, diagnose, and prevent a group of diseases that strike half of men and one-third of women in the United States. I want to thank the Editorial Board members, the Specialty Editors, and the ASCO Cancer Communications Committee and Cancer Research Committee for their dedicated work to develop this report. I hope you find it useful. Sincerely, Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, MD, FACP President American Society of Clinical Oncology

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Clinical Cancer Advances 2007: Major Research Advances in Cancer Treatment, Prevention, and Screening—A Report From the American Society of Clinical Oncology

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2007.15.4088 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 313-325 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

Julie Gralow ◽

Robert F. Ozols ◽

Dean F. Bajorin ◽

Bruce D. Cheson ◽

Howard M. Sandler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Research ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Clinical Oncology ◽

Major Research ◽

Clinical Cancer Research ◽

The Past ◽

Clinical Cancer ◽

American Society

A MESSAGE FROM ASCO'S PRESIDENTFor the third year, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is publishing Clinical Cancer Advances: Major Research Advances in Cancer Treatment, Prevention, and Screening, an annual review of the most significant cancer research presented or published over the past year. ASCO publishes this report to demonstrate the important progress being made on the front lines of clinical cancer research today. The report is intended to give all those with an interest in cancer care—the general public, cancer patients and organizations, policymakers, oncologists, and other medical professionals—an accessible summary of the year's most important cancer research advances. These pages report on the use of magnetic resonance imaging for breast cancer screening, the association between hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer incidence, the link between human papillomavirus and head and neck cancers, and the use of radiation therapy to prevent lung cancer from spreading. They also report on effective new targeted therapies for cancers that have been historically difficult to treat, such as liver cancer and kidney cancer, among many others. A total of 24 advances are featured in this year's report. These advances and many more over the past several years show that the nation's long-term investment in cancer research is paying off. But there are disturbing signs that progress could slow. We are now in the midst of the longest sustained period of flat government funding for cancer research in history. The budgets for the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have been unchanged for four years. When adjusted for inflation, cancer research funding has actually declined 12% since 2004. These budget constraints limit the NCI's ability to fund promising cancer research. In the past several years the number of grants that the NCI has been able to fund has significantly decreased; this year, in response to just the threat of a 10% budget cut, the nation's Clinical Trials Cooperative Groups reduced the number of patients participating in clinical trials by almost 2,000 and senior researchers report that many of the brightest young minds no longer see the promise of a career in science, choosing other careers instead. It's time to renew the nation's commitment to cancer research. Without additional support, the opportunity to build on the extraordinary progress to date will be lost or delayed. This report demonstrates the essential role that clinical cancer research plays in finding new and better ways to care for the more than 1.4 million people expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year. I want to thank the Editorial Board members, the Specialty Editors, and the ASCO Cancer Communications Committee for their dedicated work to develop this report. I hope you find it useful. Sincerely, Nancy E. Davidson, MD President American Society of Clinical Oncology

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Clinical Cancer Advances 2008: Major Research Advances in Cancer Treatment, Prevention, and Screening—A Report From the American Society of Clinical Oncology

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2008.21.2134 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 27 (5) ◽

pp. 812-826 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Eric Winer ◽

Julie Gralow ◽

Lisa Diller ◽

Beth Karlan ◽

Patrick Loehrer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Cancer Research ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Cancer Prevention ◽

Clinical Oncology ◽

The United States ◽

Cancer Therapies ◽

Incidence And Mortality ◽

American Society ◽

Knowledge Of Cancer

A MESSAGE FROM ASCO'S PRESIDENTNearly 40 years ago, President Richard Nixon signed the National Cancer Act, mobilizing the country's resources to make the “conquest of cancer a national crusade.” That declaration led to a major investment in cancer research that has significantly improved cancer prevention, treatment, and survival. As a result, two thirds of people diagnosed with cancer today will live at least 5 years after diagnosis, compared with just half in the 1970s. In addition, there are now more than 12 million cancer survivors in the United States—up from 3 million in 1971. Scientifically, we have never been in a better position to advance cancer treatment. Basic scientific research, fueled in recent years by the tools of molecular biology, has generated unprecedented knowledge of cancer development. We now understand many of the cellular pathways that can lead to cancer. We have learned how to develop drugs that block those pathways; increasingly, we know how to personalize therapy to the unique genetics of the tumor and the patient. Yet in 2008, 1.4 million people in the United States will still be diagnosed with cancer, and more than half a million will die as a result of the disease. Some cancers remain stubbornly resistant to treatment, whereas others cannot be detected until they are in their advanced, less curable stages. Biologically, the cancer cell is notoriously wily; each time we throw an obstacle in its path, it finds an alternate route that must then be blocked. To translate our growing basic science knowledge into better treatments for patients, a new national commitment to cancer research is urgently needed. However, funding for cancer research has stagnated. The budgets of the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute have failed to keep pace with inflation, declining up to 13% in real terms since 2004. Tighter budgets reduce incentives to support high-risk research that could have the largest payoffs. The most significant clinical research is conducted increasingly overseas. In addition, talented young physicians in the United States, seeing less opportunity in the field of oncology, are choosing other specialties instead. Although greater investment in research is critical, the need for new therapies is only part of the challenge. Far too many people in the United States lack access to the treatments that already exist, leading to unnecessary suffering and death. Uninsured cancer patients are significantly more likely to die than those with insurance, racial disparities in cancer incidence and mortality remain stark, and even insured patients struggle to keep up with the rapidly rising cost of cancer therapies. As this annual American Society of Clinical Oncology report of the major cancer research advances during the last year demonstrates, we are making important progress against cancer. But sound public policies are essential to accelerate that progress. In 2009, we have an opportunity to reinvest in cancer research, and to support policies that will help ensure that every individual in the United States receives potentially life-saving cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. Sincerely, Richard L. Schilsky, MD President American Society of Clinical Oncology

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Clinical Cancer Advances 2009: Major Research Advances in Cancer Treatment, Prevention, and Screening—A Report From the American Society of Clinical Oncology

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2009.26.6171 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 27 (35) ◽

pp. 6052-6069 ◽

Cited By ~ 72

Author(s):

Nicholas J. Petrelli ◽

Eric P. Winer ◽

Julie Brahmer ◽

Sarita Dubey ◽

Sonali Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Cancer Research ◽

Clinical Research ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Clinical Oncology ◽

Research Projects ◽

High Quality ◽

Clinical Cancer Research ◽

Clinical Cancer ◽

American Society

A MESSAGE FROM ASCO'S PRESIDENT As this report demonstrates—and as history shows—investment in clinical cancer research pays off. Since 1990, cancer mortality rates have declined by 15%. Today, two thirds of patients survive at least 5 years after diagnosis, compared with just half of patients 40 years ago. Patient quality of life has improved dramatically. In addition, thanks to basic research advances, we are entering an era of personalized cancer medicine, in which treatment is tailored to the unique genetics of the individual. Clinical cancer research is finally receiving an urgently needed boost in investment. For the first time in 5 years, federal funding for research has increased. The economic stimulus package infused billions into short-term biomedical research projects, and President Obama has pledged to invest in “a cure for cancer in our time.” However, despite this progress, cancer remains the number-two killer of Americans. Incidence is projected to nearly double by 2020 as the population grows and ages. Scientifically, cancer is highly complex; it is not one disease, but many, and is increasingly defined by thousands of genetic variations, epigenetic changes, post-transcriptional modifications, and combinations of these mechanisms, rather than by site of origin. Unraveling these complexities begins to explain why some cancers are especially resistant to treatment, a fact we have known for some time. Other cancers are fatal because they are typically diagnosed late in the course of disease, when treatment is less effective. To achieve new breakthroughs, the scale of the national response must match the scale of the problem. Years of flat federal research funding have resulted in abandoned or stalled clinical research projects, a deteriorating research infrastructure, and the loss of talented physicians to other fields. In this report, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) commends the recent increases in funding and calls on Congress to make a multiyear commitment to sustained increases in clinical cancer research at the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute. Major advances in cancer treatment cannot be expected to emerge without consistent and predictable investment at the federal level. Although a robust clinical research enterprise is essential to improving patient care, advances mean little if they do not reach people in need. For people with cancer, lack of health insurance can be the difference between life and death. It is estimated that 32% of patients with cancer in the United States are uninsured at some point during their treatment, and more than a quarter opt not to seek treatment as a result. We must end the inequality in health care access. ASCO believes that health care reform must ensure that everyone diagnosed with cancer has the coverage necessary to receive high-quality treatment. To that end, we have made access to cancer care a top priority in our advocacy agenda. I believe the advances described in this report should give all of us cause for hope. Although there is a long road ahead, by investing in a robust national clinical research program and by improving access to high-quality care, we can give every patient the best chance of survival. Douglas Blayney, MD President American Society of Clinical Oncology

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Clinical Cancer Advances 2012: Annual Report on Progress Against Cancer From the American Society of Clinical Oncology

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2012.47.1938 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 131-161 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Bruce J. Roth ◽

Lada Krilov ◽

Sylvia Adams ◽

Carol A. Aghajanian ◽

Peter Bach ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Cancer Research ◽

Clinical Oncology ◽

Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Annual Report ◽

The United States ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Molecular Characteristics ◽

Clinical Cancer ◽

American Society

A MESSAGE FROM ASCO'S PRESIDENTI am delighted to present you with “Clinical Cancer Advances 2012: Annual Report on Progress Against Cancer From the American Society of Clinical Oncology.” The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) uses this opportunity each year to share the steady progress occurring in our understanding and treatment of cancer. For 2012, we offer again an inspiring perspective on clinical cancer advances over the past year, but with a cautionary note: if current threats to federal funding materialize, future progress in cancer research will be seriously undermined.Continued progress against cancer. As you read the following pages of this report, I hope you will share my unabashed enthusiasm—and pride—in how far we have come. To appreciate what this progress has meant to the millions of people who receive a cancer diagnosis each year, consider the following: (1) two of three people in the United States live at least 5 years after a cancer diagnosis (up from roughly one of two in the 1970s); (2) the nation's cancer death rate has dropped 18% since the early 1990s, reversing decades of increases; and (3) individuals with cancer are increasingly able to live active, fulfilling lives because of better management of symptoms and treatments with fewer adverse effects.Importance of clinical cancer trials. These dramatic trends—and the advances highlighted in this report—would have been unthinkable without the engine that drives life-saving cancer treatment: clinical cancer research. Advances in technology and in our knowledge of how patient-specific molecular characteristics of the tumor and its environment fuel the growth of cancer have brought new hope to patients. Clinical trials are the key to translating cutting-edge laboratory discoveries into treatments that extend and improve the lives of those with cancer.But progress is only part of the story. Cancer remains a challenge, with many cancers undetected until their latest stages and others resisting most attempts at treatment. Tragically, cancer still kills more than 500,000 people in the United States every year, and its global burden is growing rapidly.Bridges to better care. To conquer cancer, we need to build bridges to the future—bridges that will get scientific advances to the patient's bedside quicker, bridges that will enable us to share information and learn what works in real time, and bridges that will improve care for all patients around the world.At ASCO, we recognize the unique role that oncologists must play. ASCO's “Accelerating Progress Against Cancer: Blueprint for Transforming Clinical and Translational Cancer Research,”1published last year, presents our vision and recommendations to make cancer research and patient care vastly more targeted, more efficient, and more effective. We have also launched a groundbreaking initiative, CancerLinQ, that aims to improve cancer care and speed research by drawing insights from the vast pool of data on patients in real-world settings.Renewing a national commitment to cancer research. We are on the threshold of major advances in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment—but only if, as a nation, we remain committed to this critical endeavor.The federally funded cancer research system is currently under threat by larger federal budget concerns. Clearly, Congress faces a complex budget environment, but now is not the time to retreat from our nation's commitment to conquering a disease that affects nearly all of us. Bold action must be taken to ensure that we can take full advantage of today's scientific and technologic opportunities.Please join me in celebrating our nation's progress against cancer and in recommitting ourselves to supporting cancer research. Millions of lives depend on it.Sandra M. Swain, MDPresidentAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology

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Clinical Oncology Practice 2015: Preparing for the Future

American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book ◽

10.14694/edbook_am.2015.35.e622 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. e622-e627 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Michael P. Kosty ◽

Anupama Kurup Acheson ◽

Eric D. Tetzlaff

Keyword(s):

Clinical Oncology ◽

Nurse Practitioners ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Medical Knowledge ◽

Physician Assistants ◽

The United States ◽

Practice Model ◽

American Society ◽

Oncology Practice

The clinical practice of oncology has become increasingly complex. An explosion of medical knowledge, increased demands on provider time, and involved patients have changed the way many oncologists practice. What was an acceptable practice model in the past may now be relatively inefficient. This review covers three areas that address these changes. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) National Oncology Census defines who the U.S. oncology community is, and their perceptions of how practice patterns may be changing. The National Cancer Institute (NCI)-ASCO Teams in Cancer Care Project explores how best to employ team science to improve the efficiency and quality of cancer care in the United States. Finally, how physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) might be best integrated into team-based care in oncology and the barriers to integration are reviewed.

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