Save the Date for GBOT’s 2020 Online Symposium
The Brazilian Group for Thoracic Oncology (GBOT) is holding the “GBOT 2020 Online Symposium”, on November 6th and 7th, 2020 – an entirely online format for the first time.This well-established event is designed as an opportunity to discuss the main advances in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, as well as the latest evidence on tumor markers and the development of new drugs and treatments. If you are a clinical oncologist, thoracic and oncology surgeon, radiotherapist, pulmonologist, pathologist, or other professional working in thoracic oncology, sign up and participate! Sign up here: http://www.simposionacionalgbot.com.br/
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
PALLAS study was presented at ESMO Virtual Congress 2020
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.
13th Annual GEICAM Review of Advances in Breast Cancer
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!
Save the date for ESMO Highlights Webinar LATAM 2020
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.