By Admin at 4 Oct 2016, 15:19 PM

Gateway for Cancer Research Showcases Clinical Discoveries from Renowned Researchers at Commemorative Scientific Symposium

Gateway for Cancer Research, a non-profit organization dedicated to funding innovative cancer research for the past 25 years, recently hosted its commemorative Scientific Symposium at Columbia University Medical Center.

Attended by researchers, physicians, scientists, patients and patient advocates from around the country, the Symposium included presentations and panel discussions on topics from precision medicine to insights into the future of cancer care.

How is research transforming cancer care? In several ways, highlighted during Gateway’s Symposium:

DIRECT PATIENT INVOLVEMENT

Patient voice is a key tenet of effective cancer care – involving patients from the start of their diagnosis, and sharing the level of information appropriate for each patient. No two patients or cancers are exactly the same, and adapting what communication is shared and actively involving patients in the decision-making process are essential to effective cancer therapy.

Personal connections are also important in cancer care. The idea of treating patients like they are your family members matters more now than ever. As Deborah Collyar, Founder and President of Patient Advocates in Research (PAIR) explained in her informative presentation, patients want better, not just more treatments.

PRECISION MEDICINE

Personalized therapies are transforming cancer care, with more targeted approaches to treating cancers of all types.  This includes the increased adoption of genomics as the new lexicon in patient-centric research. As Dr. Christopher Cogle from the University of Florida explained, a key innovation in clinical trials is discovering unique biomarkers or genomic signatures that identify the right drug for the right patient.

PREDICTIVE DATA

Data mapping is one of the most significant opportunities from a research perspective – the idea of aggregating and mining all of the many forms of data that exist across platforms, laboratories and institutions within the medical community.

As Dr. Nelson Chao of Duke University asked in his presentation Future of Cancer Research, “how can we mine this data for diagnosis and improved outcomes, while being ethically and HIPAA compliant”? Through data sharing and collaboration among researchers and scientists, data can be a powerful tool in helping to revolutionize cancer care.

With new breakthroughs in the treatment of cancer occurring almost every day, the opportunity to conquer cancer is greater now than it has ever been. Advancements in immunotherapy and revolutions across all levels of the molecular spectrum from DNA to RNA, proteins and metabolites, scientists are becoming increasingly able to understand the unique genetic make-up of patients and precisely prescribe targeted treatments yielding the most positive outcomes possible for those impacted by cancer.

New technologies and the possibility of leveraging big data are redefining the landscape of cancer treatment. Gateway shares the commitment of researchers around the globe to be part of new innovations and discoveries that will improve patient lives and conquer cancer.

Since it was founded 25 years ago, Gateway for Cancer Research has funded over 140 Phase I and Phase II clinical trials around the world that have treated more than 3,000 patients.  With 70% of Gateway funded trials advancing to the next phase of research, Gateway is proud of its impact and commitment to helping patients feel better, live longer and conquer cancer. To learn more about Gateway for Cancer Research, visit www.gatewaycr.org.    

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