Won’t we soon be saying “breast” or “lung” cancer? Researchers at the famous Gustave Roussy Institute, the first cancer center in Europe, located in Villejuif (Val-de-Marne), believe that the classification by organs of metastatic cancer – which has spread beyond the organ affected by the original tumor – no longer. There is a reason to exist today.
End the classification of cancer according to the organ affected by the tumor
On the one hand, because this goes against the current scientific literature: certain cancers should be defined by their molecular and genetic profiles rather than their own. “For example, a mutation in the TP53 gene is a hallmark of most types of cancer, defined by the organ where the cancer originates, Write authors in the journal Nature. Furthermore, most types of cancer can be divided into different molecular subgroups.” A transversal approach, according to him, would be more appropriate to describe the biological processes at the origin of diseases.
On the other hand, because “Classifying cancer based on which organ the tumor affects makes it more difficult to find drugs that can help patients.” For example, “We have known since 2012 that sensitivity to certain immunotherapies is linked to high levels of PDL1 protein present on tumor cells, explains Fabrice Andre, head of the institute’s research department, in a column for Ouest France. It took more than ten years for patients with cervical cancer with PDL1 expression to gain access to this therapy.” The reason for this failure? Clinical trials were conducted, and authorization was therefore issued by organ: melanomas (skin cancer), followed by lung cancer, then gradually other parts of the body.
Cancer: “300,000 untreated patients because we reasoned by organ”
A similar problem related to PARP inhibitor drugs, effective against tumors carrying specific gene mutations (BRCA1 and 2). If this treatment was used for ovarian tumors, then breast, prostate and finally pancreas, “We now know that these mutations occur in many ‘types’ of tumors, and not just in this cancer.”, writes the researcher in Nature. result, “We can consider that 300,000 patients do not have this treatment because we reasoned by organ”That explains Oest France.
According to the researchers, it is becoming urgent to stop cataloging metastatic cancer according to the organ of the initial tumor. What Gustave Rousey started doing: “In addition to expert groups by organ, we have the first so-called agnostic committee, which considers cancers with common anomalies”Underlines its General Director, Professor Fabrice Barlesi, in the regional daily.
Check out our digital video work,
Just need to create an account to access it.
