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October 2020

  /  2020 (Page 3)

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

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

The results of the PALLAS study, which evaluated the addition of Palbociclib to adjuvant endocrine therapy in breast cancer, were presented at the ESMOVirtual Congress 2020 on September 20, 2020.The PALLAS study was conducted by the Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group (ABCSG), Austria and the ALLIANCE Foundation Trials group - United States. LACOG participated in the study as part of a collaborative group working in Latin America along with Mexican research centers that made a significant contribution to the study.

GEICAM started this initiative in 2008 with the purpose of presenting an in-depth review of the most relevant milestones presented at congresses and international publications annually.  At this annual multidisciplinary meeting, attended by all professional involved with breast cancer, a comprehensive review of the advances made in research, diagnosis and treatment in connection with this disease has been carried out. The main goal of this event is to become a reference for everyone interested in finding out more about the advances made in terms of breast cancer in an independent, comprehensive and critical fashion.   Sign up at: https://www.ragmageicam.org/ and participate!

Register for ESMO Highlights Webinar LATAM 2020 here: https://www.esmohighlightswebinar2020.com An excellent opportunity for oncologists in Latin America to update their knowledge, a few days after the ESMO2020 Virtual Congress, based on updated scientific evidence. A Scientific Committee with 8 international experts will meet virtually on 9/26/2020 to discuss the progress presented at the ESMO 2020 Virtual Congress, with selections in Genitourinary, Gastrointestinal, Lung, Melanoma, Head and Neck and Breast Cancer, with the objective of disseminating scientific and clinical advances and their impact on the daily clinical practices in Latin America. The event will take place in a virtual environment, under the leadership of Dr. Antonio C. Buzaid and Dr. Carlos H. Barrios, with simultaneous translation in Portuguese and Spanish.  

Members of LACOG Breast cancer group have recently published the article “The impact of sociodemographic factors and health insurance coverage in the diagnosis and clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer in Brazil: AMAZONA III study (GBECAM 0115)” AMAZONA III/ GBECAM 0115 is a prospective cohort study that evaluated Brazilian patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer from 2016 to 2018. This manuscript depicts a wide and detailed scenario of sociodemographic characteristics of 2,950 breast cancer patients at diagnosis. The patients were from 23 sites in Brazil. The results of the study show that patients with public health coverage were diagnosed with symptomatic disease, at later stages and with more aggressive subtypes of breast cancer when compared to patients with private health coverage. This study brings to light important information that allows us to not only have a better understanding of tumor and patients’ characteristics but also, help to identify gaps within healthcare systems in Brazil. With such knowledge, it’s possible to develop strategies to improve screening and educational programs in the country, especially in the public setting.

2,731 participants from 26 brazilian states and also from other countries, watched, during 4 days, the virtual scientific program. The event was attended by renowned speakers that presented the main studies of ASCO 2020 on different  research fields (Genitourinary, Melanoma/Sarcoma, Gastrointestinal, Hematologic, Breast, Gynecological, Lung, Head and Neck and Neuro), in addition to discussing the perspective of clinical practice. We thank all the attendees, speakers, supporters and sponsors for having been a part of this great event.    The Best of ASCO 2020 Brazil Edition, organized by LACOG and Ética Institute, is an event officially licensed by ASCO, which organizes the most important oncology congress in the world with a commitment to accelerating progress against cancer, even in the face of a global pandemic.

The CURA Project, of which we are supporters, launched a crowdfunding campaign to support research against head and neck cancer. Join us by supporting the campaign to fund 1,000 laboratory tests and contribute to scientific research. We invite you to join together in this great challenge of raising funds to clinical cancer research community.  Access The CURA Project website and learn more!  Access The Cura Project website

"A multidisciplinary group with 40 representatives from 35 collaborative groups and medical associations developed a consensus practice recommendations for the continuity of care for patients with head and neck cancer during the pandemic, stressing the importance of not interrupting their treatment, treating patients with established protocols, encouraging distance consultations, and adopting protective measures for patients and staff." - Dr. Prof. Luiz P. Kowalski, Vice-chair LACOG Head and Neck Group and A.C. Camargo Center Oncologist Read more on The Lancet website