The development in dealing with it cancer in recent years it is rapid, multi-layered and indisputable. THE mortality disease is decreasing constantly and survival for many neoplasms increases significantly.

On the occasion of her World Cancer DayFebruary 4, APE-MPE addressed EKPA experts about the most important developments expected in the treatment of cancer in 2024.

The data are analyzed by the doctors of the Therapeutic Clinic (Alexandra Hospital) of the EKPA School of Medicine Thanos Dimopoulos (professor of Oncology – Hematology, former dean), Michalis Liontos (assistant professor of Therapeutic Oncology) and the pathologist, professor of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine of the School of Medicine EKPA, Theodora Psaltopoulou.

Clinical studies that will enhance the administration of immunotherapy

By 2024, it is expected that clinical studies will be announced that will enhance the administration of immunotherapy prior to surgical excision of local disease. In fact, the phase III clinical study NADINA, which examines the role of preoperative administration of the immunotherapeutic antibodies ipilimumab and nivolumab in patients with stage III melanoma, has been characterized as one of the studies that will change the way this disease is treated.

Data from this study will add to corresponding results that exist regarding preoperative treatment in lung, colon, breast, and stomach cancer. It seems that the enhancement of the immune response against cancer achieved by these antibodies is more important before the exclusion of the disease.

New immunotherapeutic approaches

At the same time, 2024 is expected to be a milestone year for new immunotherapeutic approaches. As for the cell therapiesthe long-term follow-up results of a phase II study of the drug lifilusel in patients with metastatic melanoma who have relapsed after standard therapies were recently announced and are pending FDA approval.

THE lifiluseli it is actually a living drug, ie T-lymphocytes that infiltrate the patient’s tumor. A portion of the tumor is removed before treatment begins and sent to specially designed laboratories to isolate the T-lymphocytes. These are then re-introduced into the patient along with an immunostimulatory agent (Interleukin-2) and after first receiving low dose chemotherapy.

Administration of the drug proved that approx 45% of patients remain alive 4 years later and indeed several of them have complete recession disease.

Important developments in the field of therapeutic vaccines

It is taken for granted that there will be significant developments in the field of cancer therapeutic vaccines. Two large phase III studies with personalized mRNA vaccines and immunotherapy, but in 2024 scientists expect studies with vaccines in more types of cancer and with a larger number of patients.

In fact, it is believed that vaccines containing them will be tested antigens common to most patients and which will be cheaper and easier to produce. However, other classes of vaccines are also of interest (DNA vaccines, peptide vaccines).

Targeted therapies

With regard to targeted therapies, interest here has turned to chemotherapeutic drug conjugates. antibodies (ADCs) that have proven in recent years to be highly effective in a range of neoplasms.

Within 2024, clinical trial results are expected both from already approved such drugs being tested in newer indications and from newer such antibodies. As the number of ADCs under investigation continues to increase, it is expected that these therapeutic approaches will involve an even greater number of patients.

The role of prevention and early diagnosis

The prevention and early diagnosis of cancer is of particular importance. With regard to secondary prevention, the three professors state that we expect in 2024 the results of studies on the most effective method of early diagnosis of lung cancer. It is expected to prove whether artificial intelligence technology can assist in the rapid and more reliable evaluation of preventive examinations, in order to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.

Blood tests to diagnose cancer

Finally, in 2024, the shift to blood tests for the diagnosis of cancer will be strengthened.

The ability to detect circulating DNA of cancer cells in a blood test it provides the possibility of both monitoring the results of various treatments, but above all the early recognition of disease recurrence before there are even clinical or imaging findings. Obviously, this technology could also contribute to the early diagnosis of cancer, and this year it is expected to start studies with such diagnostic blood tests for the early diagnosis of cancer.

It is a given, they conclude, that in 2024 there will be particularly interesting developments regarding the treatment of cancer, both in treatment and in prevention and early diagnosis. “However, it is important to emphasize that we expect important steps to be taken to ensure equal access for all patients to health services and innovative treatments, as is the message of this year’s day to fight cancer on February 4.”