#EAPM: #Oncology conference backs patient-centric treatment

ASCO, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, held its annual congress recently in Chicago and was addressed by US vice-president Joe Biden.  The theme for the 2016 meeting, held early in June, was Collective Wisdom: The Future of Patient-Centred Care and Research, writes European Alliance for Personalised Medicine (EAPM) Executive Director Denis Horgan.  

At the event, ASCO President Julie Vose said: “The patient is at the centre of a very complex system trying to assist them through their journey of cancer care…The theme of collective wisdom (represents) the importance of the multimodality care that is necessary for our patients.”  In his own speech, meanwhile, V-P Biden thanked oncologists for their commitment to patient care and their contributions to America's growing understanding of cancer.

He also called on them to provide bold new ideas that can advance the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative.   Boasting more than 35,000 attendees, ASCO's Annual Meeting is the world's largest gathering of cancer doctors and is focused on groundbreaking clinical research and the most promising treatments in patient care.

ASCO was founded in 1964, and is committed to making a world of difference in cancer care. As the world’s leading organization of its type, it represents more than 40,000 oncology professionals.  Through research, education, and the promotion of highest-quality patient care, ASCO works to conquer cancer and create a world where the various diseases are prevented or cured, and works to ensure that every survivor is healthy.

"Every year, thousands of oncologists and millions of patients all over the world await the news coming from this meeting - new breakthroughs, new therapies, new promises of cure, hope," said Biden.

"This year, (ASCO’s meeting theme) is harnessing the collective wisdom of oncologists around the world to put patients at the centre of research and care. That's exactly what I'm trying to do in the Cancer Moonshot, and it matters," he added.

Biden reiterated four vital priorities for achieving his 'moonshot' to end cancer. These involve significant new federal investment in cancer research; enhanced sharing of research and patient data; increased use of team-based approaches that harness different medical and scientific disciplines; and new approaches to developing and recruiting for clinical trials.

Biden went on: ”Today, oncologists and cancer researchers realize that they can't (advance cancer progress) alone.  “What's required today extends beyond any individual or any individual discipline, beyond medicine itself... It requires somewhat of a change in mindset. It requires a lot more openness - open data, open collaboration and above all, open minds.”

His sentiments have long been a cornerstone of the Brussels-based European Alliance for Personalised Medicine (EAPM).  Among the happenings at the ASCO Congress was the announcement that a pilot study has revealed large differences in median retail prices for 23 cancer drugs in seven different countries, with the highest retail prices identified in the US and the lowest in India and South Africa.   It was stated that cancer drugs appear to be less affordable in low-income countries, despite the lower retail prices.

Also emerging from the gathering was Roche’s announcement of new results from 19 approved and investigational medicines.  Sandra Horning, Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development, stated: “The confluence of new medicines, sophisticated diagnostics and advanced technologies has created an unprecedented opportunity to improve outcomes for patients today and in the future,”   The pharmaceutical giant presented results from studies that, Horning said; “have the potential to define new treatment approaches for cancers that have not seen significant progress in decades”.

New trial results for atezolizumab include data from a study in which people received the medicine as an initial treatment for metastatic bladder cancer. These data were highlighted and new overall survival and diagnostic results were presented in recurrent metastatic bladder and lung cancer and were joined by results from early combination studies of atezolizumab with targeted medicines and the investigational cancer immunotherapy MOXR0916.

Meanwhile, it was explained by Andrew Epstein, a medical oncologist and ASCO expert in palliative care, that: “End-of-life care is highly personal for each patient, and palliative care, including hospice, remains one of our best and most under-utilised resources.  “There is no one-size-fits-all approach for end-of-life care, and there shouldn’t be. At every step of care, patients and their doctors must have thoughtful discussions about the balance of benefits to risks, including cost and side effects. Our ultimate goal as oncologists is to help patients live the longest and best life possible, even in their last days,” Epstein said.

EAPM agrees wholeheartedly with that statement, being a multi-stakeholder organisation that brings together European healthcare experts and patient advocates involved with major chronic diseases. The aim of the Alliance is to improve patient care by accelerating the development, delivery and uptake of personalised medicine and diagnostics, through consensus.

EAPM is a response to the need for wider understanding of priorities and a more integrated approach among distinct lay and professional stakeholders.  The mix of EAPM members provides extensive scientific, clinical, caring and training expertise in personalised medicine and diagnostics, across patient groups, academia, health professionals and industry. Relevant departments of the European Commission have observer status, as does the European Medicines Agency.

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