Changing the future of oncology

In this issue, our cover article focuses on the exciting breakthroughs that are happening in the area of oncology, many of which were announced at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress.

This year, ESMO held its 2022 congress in Paris as a hybrid event. As Michael Smith and Marin Martinis wrote in their article, it was an exciting place to be: “Standing ovations at medical congresses aren’t an everyday event, but they’re becoming a trend in cancer research. Just like ASCO’s Chicago equivalent a few months earlier, the scientific innovation on display was enough to make delegates rise up from their seats.

“ESMO confirmed that these are exciting times in cancer research. And, in the post-COVID era of hybrid events, it reaffirmed the value of traditional medical congresses, highlighting a renewed opportunity for creative comms to play an even bigger role in transforming oncology care.” Read more about this fascinating event on page 16.

In their article on cell and gene therapies, Brian Huber and Tamie Joeckel talk about managing the complexities of current generation CAR-T therapies: “While the potential of CAR-T therapies is extraordinary, the complexity and cost of their supply chains jeopardise scalability and long-term commercialisation. One of the primary reasons for this complexity is their personalisation. While ‘traditional’ therapeutics are produced in large batches for many people at once, CAR-Ts are typically manufactured in smaller – sometimes single dose – batches.” Read more about the advances in CAR-T therapy on page 18.

Looking ahead, our November issue will look at clinical trial diversity and the critical benefits of increased representation. Some diseases disproportionately impact certain racial and ethnic groups, and these diseases often occur in populations that have historically been underrepresented and understudied. Ensuring increased representation in clinical trials is therefore vital in tackling healthcare disparities and enabling health equity.

If you would like to make your voice heard on this topic, please get in touch at sales@pmlive.com

I hope you enjoy this issue!

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