Cancer is responsible for 609,360 lost lives in 2022, making it a leading cause of death in the United States.
In a promising boon to the fight against cancer, medical progress has given us new hope with exciting developments. From deep learning algorithms helping doctors diagnose more accurately to groundbreaking treatments paving the way for longer life expectancy rates, these advances offer an encouraging outlook in our quest for freedom from cancer’s grip.
Cancer Treatment News 2023
The following advances in cancer treatment have shown promise to improve patients’ lives and reduce mortality rates.
- Precision Oncology
Precision oncology uses advanced systems and the latest genetic information to personalize treatments for each patient. For example, it combines genomic sequencing, analytics, and data mining with individualized patient care to develop precise treatments tailored to each person’s unique tumor.
With precision oncology, doctors can better identify the genetic and molecular characteristics of a patient’s cancer and create a personalized treatment plan that is more powerful and less toxic. By analyzing each patient’s tumor, oncologists can look for specific mutations driving cancer, enabling them to develop targeted therapies more accurately than ever before.
This approach is already demonstrating promising data in real community oncology practice. With exciting advancements in precision oncology, cancer patients and their loved ones are hopeful for improved diagnostics and treatment practices that could revolutionize care.
- Clue Detection in Cancer DNA
A tumor’s precise genetics can provide invaluable clues on how to treat it. By sequencing a patient’s tumor DNA, oncologists may identify the exact genetic mutations driving cancer. This breakthrough allows them to develop personalized treatments based on these specific mutated genes, which can potentially be more effective than traditional chemotherapy.
In addition, by analyzing the tumor’s genetic mutations, doctors can determine which drugs may be best suited to block these mutated genes and identify additional therapies that could enhance efficacy. Identifying a patient’s cancer DNA also allows for early drug resistance or relapse detection and helps physicians adjust treatment to maintain effectiveness over time.
Understanding the genetic makeup of a patient’s tumor is an essential step in precision oncology and gives doctors valuable insights into how to treat cancer best.
- Stool Samples for Early Pancreatic Cancer Detection
Studies show that stool samples can now help diagnose pancreatic cancer at an earlier stage than other methods used in the past. Using a combination of genetic and molecular markers, researchers can detect this deadly form of cancer before it spreads or becomes more difficult to treat. This breakthrough makes early detection possible for those at risk for pancreatic cancer, allowing for treatment that can lead to better patient outcomes.
Related: Addressing the Challenges of Treating Pancreatic Cancer
- Killing Dormant Cancer Cells
Breast cancer cells can metastasize throughout the body if left unchecked. To prevent this from happening, researchers have developed a new approach called “killing cells while they sleep.” This method targets individual cancer cells as they enter a state of dormancy, destroying them while sleeping to prevent the spread of cancer cells and reduce the risk of developing secondary tumors. Moreover, killing cells while they sleep is less harmful to healthy surrounding tissue, reducing side effects and making the treatment more effective overall.
By targeting individual cancer cells through this method, medical researchers are again a step ahead in improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of breast cancer.
- Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is claiming an increasingly important role in cancer research and treatment. AI-driven data analysis helps better understand the biology of a patient’s tumor, uncovering new insights into its genetic makeup and behavior. Doctors can also use artificial intelligence to assist them in analyzing imaging studies, such as MRI scans or X-Rays, and detect signs of malignancy. AI can also help develop and improve targeted treatments by searching vast databases of genomic information to find the most practical combination of drugs for a given patient’s unique cancer.
AI is pushing precision oncology and cancer care to evolve. The technology makes it possible to diagnose and treat cancer more accurately than ever before, leading to improved patient outcomes worldwide. AI-powered robots and automated systems also perform complicated surgical tasks, making surgery less risky and more precise.
Artificial intelligence has already led to significant advances in precision oncology and will continue to transform cancer care.
- CAR-T-Cell Therapy
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a new form of cancer treatment that reprograms the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells. This treatment involves extracting and modifying a patient’s T-cells, also known as the white blood cells responsible for fighting infection and disease. These modified cells, known as CAR-T cells, are then reintroduced into the body, where they can recognize and target cancer cells.
This therapy has been highly effective for certain types of cancers and is paving the way for a new era in precision oncology. CAR-T cell therapy is a profound discovery in cancer treatment and has already saved many lives worldwide. It has the potential to transform cancer care in the future radically. In fact, in one study, over 85 percent of the children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia had complete remission after undergoing CAR-T cell therapy.
- Liquid and Synthetic Biopsies
Liquid and synthetic biopsies are emerging technologies that promise to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment. Let’s understand their differences:
- A liquid biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves taking a small blood sample from a patient and analyzing it for cancer DNA. This procedure gives physicians information about genetic mutations in the tumor, allowing them to make more informed treatment decisions.
- On the other hand, a synthetic biopsy uses data from imaging scans to detect and classify mutated genes. This approach is helping to reduce costs and increase diagnosis and treatment planning accuracy.
Both liquid biopsies and synthetic biopsies are invaluable tools in precision oncology, enabling doctors to identify the unique characteristics of a patient’s tumor and develop which cancer treatment is most effective. These cutting-edge technologies are proving to be successful.
Where Will Cancer Treatment Be In 10 Years?
Are cancer treatments improving? YES. As medical advances become more commonplace, medicine, therapies, and other treatment options will only improve people’s chances of winning the battle with cancer. By combining artificial intelligence, liquid biopsies, and synthetic biopsies, precision oncology allows doctors to provide more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatments for patients. These emerging technologies are transforming cancer care and saving lives all over the world.
New Hope Medical Center believes that early diagnosis and treatment are critical to a successful recovery. That’s why our personalized cancer treatments are designed with your well-being in mind, offering advanced immunotherapy, oxygenation, nutritional guidance, and more for both physical and emotional support throughout your healing journey. Contact us today to learn more about your alternative treatment options.
