08.10.12
Cancer specialists call for ‘treatment alliance’
A ‘treatment alliance’ could significantly improve treatment for children with cancer, health sector professionals have agreed. Survival rates have improved dramatically over the last 50 years, but have recently plateaued.
At the International Society of Paediatric Oncology’s conference at the weekend, cancer specialists called for an alliance to focus on developing new and targeted treatments, improving patients’ access and increasing incentives for companies to develop new treatments.
Professor Kathy Pritchard-Jones, a childhood cancer specialist at University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: “Saving more children’s lives from the disease can only be achieved by collaborative research across continents, as more and more, new treatments are focused on small groups of patients based on the molecular characteristics of the cancer.
“It’s not just successfully treating the cancer that counts; our ultimate ambition is to maximise the chance of survival while minimising the side effects of treatment.”
Kate Law, director of clinical research at Cancer Research UK, said: “Clinical trials are essential for making new treatments available to children with cancer, and Cancer Research UK is campaigning to cut the red tape that’s hindering clinical research across Europe, while maintaining a safe environment for patients.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]