Cancer: Liquid Biopsy, Artificial Intelligence, Antibodies, What Are the Advances in Research?

In France, about 4 million people live with cancer today, according to Arch Foundation for Cancer Research. And the figures published this Thursday by the World Health Organization agency specializing in the disease are alarming: about 35 million new cases. Cancer should be discovered in 2050, or 77% more than in 2022.

The causes of this alarming increase are multiple: aging, but also tobacco, alcohol, obesity and air pollution. “I don’t know if we can beat cancer, but we can control it” President of the Arc Foundation’s Scientific Council, Frans Blue leans on Eric Solari, who recalls that“Today, we cure 60% of patients”. Hello Doctor on the showThe researcher and hematologist discussed the progress made in the research on the occasion of World Disease Day this Sunday.

Cancer is better understood

“To beat cancer, you must first understand it” : This is what we can read on Arch Foundation website For cancer research. This is understanding “enormous” Advanced, assures Professor Eric Soleri who also considers “Let it go every day”. “There was an extremely prosperous period in the first half” with the 20th century “The Function of Genetics and Cell Biology”. But at that time, “They have not led to therapeutic applications“, the researcher recalls. “Since 2000, we have changed the scaleEric Solari explains. New drugs are constantly being discovered. We are currently testing over 1,000 worldwide. Many have become standard practice over the past 20 years. An observation that amuses the professor: “It’s changing fast and it’s changing for the better!”

Researchers are also focusing more On mechanisms of aging

because “The main risk factor for cancer is aging” Remembers Eric Soleri. Three-quarters of diagnoses relate to people over the age of 55, According to World Health Organization data. “We better understand the mechanisms of aging, what senescent tissues are, The professor continues. We are in the process of understanding why senescent tissues promote the development of cancer.”. Eric Solari specifically explains it “First Trial of Anti-Aging Treatment” emerging”If we can slow down the aging of our tissues, we will slow down the risk of cancer and the risk of chronic diseases that develop with age.” That explains.

A simple blood test to detect the disease soon?

Dozens of studies are underway to demonstrate the utility of using a new tool, “liquid biopsy,” in monitoring patients being treated for cancer. Liquid biopsy is nothing moreBlood test The aim is to search the patient’s blood for fragments of DNA from tumor or cancer cells. According to Eric Soleri, this technology already exists “We know what’s used to monitor the evolution of the tumor. And we know the genetic abnormalities we’re looking for at the DNA level. We know where they are and we know what we’re looking for.”, that sums it up. On the other hand, it is not up to date on screening: “When you find a DNA abnormality in the blood, it doesn’t tell you where the tumor is. Abnormalities are found in many different tumors. We still have yet to find a way to detect the tumor.” The professor explains. This technique will present significant advantages and many observers believe that its discovery deserves a Nobel Prize in medicine: it is significantly less invasive than the “classic” biopsy, which takes tissue from the body.

Vaccines exist, others are still being tested

To prevent certain cancers, there are vaccines. “To limit the risk of Liver cancerYou must be vaccinated against hepatitis B.” Against which we should add the HPV vaccine, explains the professor Human papillomavirus which prevents the appearance of many cancers such as cervix. On this latest vaccine, the immunization campaign for 5th grade secondary school students, which was launched last fall, is far from expectations, with a first glimpse “frustrating”

, officials of the French Society of Colposcopy and Cervico-Uninal Pathology (SFCPCV) expressed regret in early January. At least 30% of 5th graders in college immunized, “I don’t think we’ll be there“, the health minister at the time, Aurelian Rousseau, admitted to AFP in early November.

Other vaccines may soon be on the market. Last September, French biotechnology company OSE Immunotherapeutics presented positive results of its therapeutic vaccine in advanced cancer patients. the lungs In mid-December, Moderna’s boss, Stephane Bensel, considered it possible that the development of a therapeutic vaccine Skin cancer New incentives will be approved in 2025, after results.

Imaging and the hope of AI

Eric Solari also highlights “Advances in imaging (…) especially thanks to artificial intelligence tools”. According to him, analysis “Thousands and thousands of images” or pooling of “The image that we generate at European level” should be allowed “Pre-announcing tumor emergence.” Experiments are underway in the Nordic countries as well as in Denmark, as a member of the Ark Foundation explains: “The Danes worked on health data, consultation rates and prescriptions issued by doctors. They succeeded in creating an algorithm that predicts the risks of developing pancreatic cancer.” Eric Solari finds this discovery fascinating: “This means that when we can put together our health data anonymously in Europe, we will make enormous progress in terms of prevention and risk detection.”

About rare cancers, “This should be based on better organization. We should work internationally.”, estimates Eric Soleri. Every year in France, rare cancers, including all those affecting children, represent 70,000 new cases. A cancer is considered rare when the number of new cases per 100,000 is less than 6 per year.

Trail of monoclonal antibodies

Much research is exploring immunotherapy, including potentiation Body’s defense against disease, was crowned with the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2018. Among the newer approaches to immunotherapy are monoclonal antibodies. “Antibodies are what our blood cells produce to protect us against infectionA hematologist on France Blue explains. Now we know how to make highly targeted antibodies that, instead of targeting the microbe, will target the cancer cell.

. Today it is an approach that is developing at a very fast pace, because the technology is there.” Eric Solari rejoices.

More involved patients

Advances in research also depend on patient involvement. On France Bleu, Chantal, affected by appendix cancer, specifically says that she has a “Clinical Trials of Immunotherapy”. “As of today, I am doing well, as my scan on Monday showed stable imaging,” She rejoices. Despite the fear of side effects she decided to start this clinical trial: “But I was always confident, This gives confidence to the former caregiver. I told myself that we have to help with research. “What is being prepared is that patients will be part of selection committees for research and funding projects,” Eric assures Solari. A system already existing in the Netherlands or Flemish Belgium: “There are patient committees that say whether a project makes sense and that gives a rating. That comes in addition to the scientists’ rating and the whole thing is taken into account.” To green light the research project.