Latest Advancements in Medical Oncology: Recent Breakthroughs

Medical oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of cancer. This branch has witnessed some remarkable breakthroughs in recent years. These breakthroughs have not only helped cancer patients but also oncologists. They have increased the survival rates and improved the quality of life for cancer patients. From immunotherapy to the inclusion of AI technology in treatment, the landscape of oncology has revolutionised rapidly. Let’s study some of these milestones in detail.

Recent Milestones in Oncology

1.Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Care and Diagnosis

• The recent developments of AI and machine learning in medical oncology improve diagnosis accuracy and prediction of treatment results and help develop personalised treatment plans.
• AI algorithms are capable of analysing imaging data quickly and they also help in detecting early signs of cancer with enhanced accuracy. For example: some AI-powered systems have proved their ability to detect cancers better than human radiologists. AI also helped in pathology practice by assessing tissue samples more accurately.
• AI may also help in the prediction of how a person’s body will react to a certain treatment. AI has the power to access large datasets and give results on its basis that a human clinician may miss.

2.CAR-T Cell Therapy

• CAR-T stands for Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell. It is a subset of the most famous cancer treatment “Immunotherapy”. The treatment involves the modification of the patient’s T-cell that hunts down specific antigens in the cancer cells.
• The modified T-cells produce a protein called Chimeric antigen receptor protein that destroys the cancer cells. Although being a transformative and effective surgery, it also has some side effects that have to be managed.

3.Liquid and Synthetic Biopsy

• The biopsy is a traditional method for the detection of cancer by taking a part of the affected tissue and then analysing it in a lab. Liquid or synthetic biopsy is the non-invasive alternative to this traditional method.
• In liquid biopsy, blood samples or other bodily fluids are taken from the patient to detect tumour DNA or other biomarkers. Synthetic biopsy uses bioengineering to make synthetic DNA biomarkers, forcing the cancer cells to reveal themselves and detect cancer in the early stages.

4.New Cancer Vaccine

• Some newly discovered cancer vaccines have shown potential for effective treatment and prevention of cancer. A recent example of such a vaccine is the mRNA-4359 vaccine, developed by Moderna Pharmaceuticals, which uses the same technology as the COVID-19 vaccine.
• The recent trials have reportedly shown encouraging results. It uses mRNA technology that trains the Immune system to attack & destroy the cancer cells. The vaccine promises to show fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapy.

5.A Pill to Cut Down the Risk of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer type among women around the world. However, recent developments have shown that there is a tablet named “anastrozole” that can cut down the production of oestrogen, decreasing the risk of breast cancer. It is a medicine that has been used in breast cancer treatment for many years, and now it is being reintroduced as a preventive medicine to fight breast cancer. This preventive measure can potentially cut down the chances of breast cancer by half.

6.Pioneering Discovery in the Cervical Cancer Treatment

In recent studies, scientists have announced a pioneering breakthrough in the treatment of Cervical cancer. The study states that giving a short course of chemotherapy before starting the standard treatment of cervical cancer has reduced the risk of death. It also promises to reduce the risk of return of cervical cancer after recovery. The pre-treatment drugs are relatively affordable and approved for use, which makes this treatment easy on the pocket and safe.

Conclusion: A Brighter Future for Cancer Care

Recent discoveries in medical oncology – better, more personalised, and less invasive treatments – are now opening doors to a promising future. Immunotherapy, precision medicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and discoveries of drugs can all result in a significant and enduring impact on cancer outcomes and quality of life for patients. The future of cancer care will evolve and become even more promising as research continues to develop. These innovations aren’t just a matter of extending survival but rather transforming the concepts of looking at cancer treatment and bringing us one day closer to the time when cancer will no longer be the leading cause of death.

– Dr Vishwanath