The lancet oncology
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Technological innovations in genomics and related fields have facilitated large sequencing efforts, supported new biological discoveries in cancer, and spawned an era of liquid biopsy biomarkers. Despite these advances, precision oncology has practical constraints, partly related to cancer's biological diversity and spatial and temporal complexity. ⋯ We discuss key areas of advanced imaging for improving cancer outcomes and survival. Finally, we discuss practical challenges to the broader adoption of precision imaging in the clinic and the need for a robust translational infrastructure.
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The lancet oncology · Jan 2025
ReviewThe changing global landscape of national cancer control plans.
Global efforts to highlight cancer and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as a growing burden were first raised in 2005 World Health Assembly Resolution 58.22 and reinforced with Resolution 70.12 and the Global NCD action plan in 2017. One common thread for addressing cancer burden was the need to articulate cancer priorities within a comprehensive national cancer control plan (NCCP). ⋯ The global review included 16 new questions related to cancer equity, pandemic preparedness, global WHO initiatives, evidence-based recommendations, and other emerging trends. The findings can guide country-level decision makers on improvements to deliver person-centred cancer services to reduce the cancer burden.
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The lancet oncology · Jan 2025
ReviewPulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms: the molecular landscape, therapeutic challenges, and diagnosis and management strategies.
Lung neuroendocrine neoplasms are a group of diverse, heterogeneous tumours that range from well-differentiated, low-grade neuroendocrine tumours-such as typical and atypical carcinoids-to high-grade, poorly differentiated aggressive malignancies, such as large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). While the incidence of SCLC has decreased, the worldwide incidence of other pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms has been increasing over the past decades. In addition to the standard histopathological classification of lung neuroendocrine neoplasms, the introduction of molecular and sequencing techniques has led to new advances in understanding the biology of these diseases and might influence future classifications and staging that can subsequently improve management guidelines in the adjuvant or metastatic settings. ⋯ This Review explores the epidemiology, diagnosis, and staging of lung neuroendocrine neoplasms to date. In addition, we focus on the evolving molecular landscape and biomarkers, ranging from tumour phenotypes to functional imaging studies and novel molecular biomarkers. We outline the various clinical outcomes, challenges, the treatment landscape, ongoing clinical trials, and future directions.
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The lancet oncology · Dec 2024
ReviewCancer care and outreach in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries: from epidemiology and the National Cancer Control Programme to screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
South Asian Association for Regional Collaboration (SAARC) countries, home to 24% of the world's population, are facing the double burden of disease (ie, where a population experiences both an increasing incidence of cancers typically associated with affluence and a sustained or rising burden of cancers linked to infections and poverty) with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) attributing to 47% of the global burden of disease and to about 60% of all deaths. In 2022, cancer in this region accounted for approximately 9·3% of incidence worldwide and 12% of global mortality. Cancer is one of the major NCDs affecting South Asia, accounting for a large proportion of disability-adjusted life-years lost in this region. ⋯ Here we discuss various cancer care issues and challenges throughout the cancer care continuum in the SAARC region. We make an urgent call for regional collaboration to develop, modify, and implement a holistic cancer control plan and formulate a systematic approach directed to address the growing burden of cancer in this region. It is crucial to establish strong political will and commitment to take forward the recommended actions outlined in this Series to overcome and address the cancer crisis in the SAARC region, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 2030 targets.
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The lancet oncology · Dec 2024
ReviewNavigating the oncology drug discovery and development process with programmes supported by the National Institutes of Health.
The translation of basic drug discoveries from laboratories to clinical use presents substantial challenges. Factors such as insufficient funding, misdirected project focus, and inability to understand a drug's limitations or strengths contribute to the difficulty of this process. To address these issues, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established various resources dedicated to streamlining drug development. ⋯ The NIH also provides access to key resources through various programmes, such as the Developmental Therapeutics Program, focusing on preclinical drug discovery and the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, which oversees clinical trial efforts for investigational agents. These resources might include funding opportunities, access to a network of scientific experts, and services to address gaps in scientific work. This Review explores the diverse platforms and resources available at the NIH and outlines how researchers can leverage them to expedite the drug development process.