Advances against cancer are in the spotlight once more, with the publication of Clinical Cancer Advances 2011: ASCO's Annual Report on Progress Against Cancer.
The report was compiled by The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), a professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer.
Essentially an independent review of the advances in cancer research that have had the greatest impact on patient care this year, the report also identifies the most promising trends in oncology.
Nicholas J. Vogelzang, MD, Co-Executive Editor, said of the report, "We've made significant strides in clinical cancer research over the past year and this report adds renewed hope for patients,” USA Today reports.
"The big news has been targeted drug therapy. We now have drugs that are very selective for some solid tumors. We now have (new) drugs affecting melanoma and lung cancer, which is pretty sweet," he said.
"We don't know how long the responses to these drugs last -- they appear to be pretty short -- but some of them are truly dramatic,” Vogelzang said.
Referring to the progress that has been made in the field, Vogelzang said, "More personalized treatment approaches and advances in early detection are helping patients live longer, healthier lives.”
