Advancements in Immunotherapy, Genetics Lead ASCO’s Annual Progress Report

February 10, 2017 by Chris Pirschel ONS Staff Writer/Producer

Every year, oncology research marches toward new, innovative treatments for patients with cancer. Cancer research is a cumulative process—building upon itself year after year—but, with time, major changes begin to make their way into practices across the country. Some of these advancements stand to change the face of cancer treatment for years to come. In a field of constant evolution, oncology nurses and their colleagues need to stay abreast of developments in science and technology as new knowledge is uncovered in the treatment of cancer.

In February 2017, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released its 12th Annual Report on Progress Against Cancer (https://www.asco.org/research-progress/reports-studies/clinical-cancer-advances), highlighting notable areas of oncology advancement from 2016. The report outlined information about immunotherapy, cancer risk, screening, and prevention; new treatments beyond immunotherapy; advances in patient care; and tumor biology. Understanding the emerging details can help nurses prepare for potential future changes to practice.

Notable Advancements in Cancer Care

Immunotherapy has been making waves in oncology. With new drugs being approved at an accelerated pace, it’s becoming a viable line of treatment for many patients, including those who previously were thought to be out of options. Research is finding that checkpoint inhibitors are having success against multiple cancers. Yet, continued research is still needed to understand why immunotherapies work for some patients but not others.

The Potential of Oncology Research

For oncology research, the future holds many possibilities for advancement in treatment, care, and screening. In fact, scientists are currently working on liquid biopsies in which tumor DNA is extracted from bodily fluids. This would show information about the tumor makeup of the entire body, and it could even predict recurrence.

Generating new knowledge and innovative treatments is integral to the progression of cancer care. Initiatives like the National Cancer Moonshot (http://voice.ons.org/topic/cancer-moonshot) and the work of the National Cancer Institute’s Blue Ribbon Panel are aiming to increase funding and resources to researchers, including oncology nurse scientists, throughout the country. It’s an exciting time for oncology as ground-breaking research and cancer care interventions are just around the corner.


Copyright © 2017 by the Oncology Nursing Society. User has permission to print one copy for personal or unit-based educational use. Contact pubpermissions@ons.org for quantity reprints or permission to adapt, excerpt, post online, or reuse ONS Voice content for any other purpose.