Cancer claims the lives of nearly 1 crore people worldwide each year, making it one of the leading causes of death, according to the World Health Organization.
Some of the most common types include breast, lung, and colon cancer. Experts predict that the number of new cancer cases will rise by over 75% between 2022 and 2050. However, there is hope. Medical advancements are bringing new ways to fight cancer.
Here are 12 recent breakthroughs in cancer care and cancer research:
1. Personalised Cancer Vaccines
In England, thousands of cancer patients under the NHS may soon participate in clinical trials for a new vaccine. This vaccine is designed to train the immune system to fight cancer cells and lower the chances of the disease returning. These vaccines are expected to have fewer side effects than chemotherapy. Currently, 30 hospitals have joined the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad, which matches patients to upcoming trials using mRNA technology, the same as COVID-19 vaccines.
2. Blood Test for Early Cancer Detection
Scientists in the US have created a blood test that may help detect 18 types of early-stage cancer. Unlike traditional tests, which are often invasive and expensive, this new method examines blood proteins. A study involving 440 cancer patients found that the test correctly identified 93% of stage 1 cancers in men and 84% in women. While the test is still in development, researchers believe it has the potential to be a cost-effective screening tool in the future.
3. Seven-Minute Cancer Treatment Injection
England’s NHS has introduced an injection for cancer treatment that takes just seven minutes to administer, compared to the current one-hour intravenous (IV) infusion. This will help speed up treatment and free up time for healthcare workers. The injection, called Atezolizumab (or Tecentriq), is used to treat various cancers, including lung and breast cancer. Most 3,600 NHS patients receiving it via IV are expected to switch to the new method.
4. Clinical Trial of Indian Ayurvedic Medicine
For centuries, Ayurveda has been used in the Indian subcontinent. In the first of its kind, Body Revival has successfully completed clinical trials on breast cancer patients. The trial was done on people who were undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The trial highlighted that Body Revival helped cancer patients in dealing with the side effects of conventional treatments. It also reduced CA 15.3 blood tumour biomarker. In the research, Body Revival was found to be effective. It does not have any side effects and is safe for general use.
5. Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Diagnosis
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming cancer care, especially in countries like India. AI-based screening tools can detect common cancers, such as breast cancer, at an early stage. AI is also being used to analyse X-rays where radiologists are scarce. The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution India is working on 18 AI-driven cancer interventions to improve early detection and treatment.
6. AI-Powered Lung Cancer Predictions
Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, often going undetected in its early stages. Researchers at MIT have developed an AI model called ‘Sybil’ that can predict a person’s lung cancer risk up to six years in advance based on low-dose CT scans. The model can identify potential cancer before it becomes visible to human experts.
7. DNA Clues for Cancer Causes
At Cambridge University Hospitals, scientists have examined the DNA of 12,000 cancer tumours to uncover new information about what causes cancer. They have identified different mutations linked to smoking, UV exposure, and internal cell malfunctions. These findings are helping doctors understand cancer better and improve treatment strategies.
8. Less Invasive Cancer Testing
Traditionally, doctors diagnose cancer using biopsies, where a sample of tissue is removed for examination. However, liquid biopsies offer a more straightforward, less invasive method of detecting cancer markers in blood samples. Another innovation, synthetic biopsies, forces cancer cells to reveal themselves even in early stages, aiding early detection.
9. CAR-T Cell Therapy for Leukemia
CAR-T cell therapy is a treatment that modifies a patient’s immune cells to recognise and destroy cancer. In 2022, scientists declared it a success for leukaemia patients. The method involves removing immune cells, modifying them genetically, and reinfusing them into the patient. Some patients treated with CAR-T therapy remain in remission for over a decade. However, the FDA is investigating whether this treatment might lead to secondary cancers, prompting drug companies to issue warnings.
10. Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Detection
Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates since it is often detected late. Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a test that identified 95% of early pancreatic cancers using biomarkers in extracellular vesicles. A new PAC-MANN test can now detect pancreatic cancer using just a single drop of blood. Scientists are also making progress in developing potential cures by studying how the disease affects key genes.
Hope for the Future
