A study conducted by the Genitourinary Cancer Group has been published in an important American journal
In August, the journal Clinical Genitourinary Cancer published the study “First-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the immuno-oncology era: systematic review and network meta-analysis”, authored by a group of researchers from the LACOG Genitourinary Group. According to Dr. Fernando Sabino, a clinical oncologist at the Oncology and Hematology Center at Santa Lúcia Hospital and the Hospital of the University of Brasilia, the aim of the study was to compare and classify the different regimens available for first-line treatment of metastatic kidney cancer. This systematic review and meta-analysis has provided some important information on which treatments are most suitable for patients with this type of tumor, as there are, to date, no studies that compare the latest approaches, e.g. combining immunological agents of different classes or combining these agents with targeted molecular therapy. “The established outcomes we looked at were overall survival, progression-free survival and response rates. The study concluded that the treatments using immunotherapy are superior to the standard treatment with Sunitinib, and that there is no one immunotherapy based treatment that is significantly superior to any other.” In Dr. Sabino’s opinion, this study has had a significant impact on patients in Latin America, because five first-line line systemic therapeutic options
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: time to focus on prevention, diagnosis and research to find the best treatments.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women worldwide. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 200 thousand new cases and 52 thousand deaths due to breast cancer were estimated in 2018. 1. In general, the number of cases has been on a downward trend. However, the disease has been increasing among younger women2. Both the incidence and mortality rates for Latin American women under 44 years old have been shown to be higher than those found in high-income countries (20% compared to 12% and 14% compared to 7%, respectively) 3. October is breast cancer awareness month. It raises attention to breast cancer prevention and its early diagnosis. Considering that, LACOG, a non-profit organization, also reinforces the importance of academical and clinical research and connects research sites and researchers who are interested in developing trials to discover new treatments for cancer patients. Research enables us to better understand patients’ characteristics, to identify population with increased risk of developing cancer, to identify challenges regarding access to screening exams, as well as access to early diagnosis and treatment. Research data generated from real-world patients also helps to recognize gaps in optimal treatment and barriers to health services. Additionally, through clinical research it is
Save the Date for LACOG GU Review 2020
The LACOG Genitourinary Group, the arm of LACOG that focuses on genitourinary cancer, is holding the GU Review 2020 online between October 29th to 31st with many extra features! As well as the free 3 day program online, there will be pre-conference courses, educational activities, doctors discussing the pros and cons of various treatments and multidisciplinary classes available for medical, nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy and nutritional practitioners. ⠀ The event will bringing together participants from all over the world and there will be simultaneous translation into English and Spanish. Healthcare professionals will also be able to take part in LACOG’s Second GU Multi-profession Symposium. ⠀⠀ Sign up here: www.geniturinariobrasil.com.br
Non-small cell lung cancer is the subject of an important study for Brazil
The same way it happens in developed countries, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is generally diagnosed in its advanced stages and has poor survival rates in Brazil. Overall, approximately 70% of patients present with locally advanced or metastatic disease (stages III and IV, respectively) at diagnosis.1 In order to collect data on clinical characteristics, treatment patterns and outcomes of patients with stage III NSCLC in Brazil, Dr. Vladmir Cláudio Cordeiro de Lima started the observational study Retrospective epidemiological study of Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (LACOG 0118 – RELANCE). He has worked as the principal investigator of the study ever since. Dr. Cordeiro de Lima is a clinical oncologist at the Department of Clinical Oncology at the AC Camargo Cancer Center. He also works as a permanent advisor of the Postgraduate Course in Sciences focused on the Oncology area at the Antônio Prudente Foundation, and as an investigator at the Translational Immuno-oncology Laboratory (CIPE) at the Antônio Prudente Foundation. The study aims to describe the outcomes of 400 patients with locally advanced NSCLC (stage III). The study is supported by LACOG and, according to Dr. Cordeiro de Lima, this support is extremely important because cooperative groups help to bring together and
Cancer clinical research in Latin America and the role of the investigator
In the last decades, clinical research has established the main source of knowledge in the field of Oncology. The development of drugs that improve quality of life and patient survival through clinical research is undeniably important. However, Latin American countries play a small role in this scenario since most clinical studies are developed in European and North American centres. For that reason, reinforcing the importance of Latin-American countries participation and promotion of clinical trials is imperative. Being more engaged in research, Latin America would not only contribute with the scientific community, but also allow patients to have access to new treatment options. A close relationship among the investigator, the research centre and the Research Organisation is the keystone of research development in Latin America. Since 2009, LACOG has been an important Research Organisation in Latin America which provides investigators with the necessary support throughout the whole research process. LACOG is an independent multinational cooperative group that plays a central role in the development and conduction of clinical trials and academic studies. Additionally, LACOG works in cooperation with other international academic institutions, biotechnological and pharmaceutical centres and industries in order to promote and conduct clinical trials. The active participation of investigators is crucial to the development