scholarly journals Global Radiotherapy: Current Status and Future Directions—White Paper

2021 ◽  
pp. 827-842
Author(s):  
May Abdel-Wahab ◽  
Soehartati S. Gondhowiardjo ◽  
Arthur Accioly Rosa ◽  
Yolande Lievens ◽  
Noura El-Haj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Plan ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Noncommunicable Disease ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Global Level ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Middle Income

Recognizing the increase in cancer incidence globally and the need for effective cancer control interventions, several organizations, professional bodies, and international institutions have proposed strategies to improve treatment options and reduce mortality along with minimizing overall incidence. Despite these efforts, an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018 was attributed to this noncommunicable disease, making it the second leading cause of death worldwide. Left unchecked, this will further increase in scale, with an estimated 29.5 million new cases and 16.3 million deaths occurring worldwide in 2040. Although it is known and generally accepted that cancer services must include radiotherapy, such access is still very limited in many parts of the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries. After thorough review of the current status of radiotherapy including programs worldwide, as well as achievements and challenges at the global level, the International Atomic Energy Agency convened an international group of experts representing various radiation oncology societies to take a closer look into the current status of radiotherapy and provide a road map for future directions in this field. It was concluded that the plethora of global and regional initiatives would benefit further from the existence of a central framework, including an easily accessible repository through which better coordination can be done. Supporting this framework, a practical inventory of competencies needs to be made available on a global level emphasizing the knowledge, skills, and behavior required for a safe, sustainable, and professional practice for various settings. This white paper presents the current status of global radiotherapy and future directions for the community. It forms the basis for an action plan to be developed with professional societies worldwide.

Systemic treatment of advanced and recurrent endometrial carcinoma: current status and future directions.

1991 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1071-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
T D Moore ◽  
P H Phillips ◽  
S R Nerenstone ◽  
B D Cheson
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Options ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Cytotoxic Agents ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Hematopoietic Growth Factors ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
A Current ◽  
Modest Activity ◽  
Systemic Therapies

Multiple systemic therapies have been used to treat patients with endometrial cancer. Although progestins have been the standard initial treatment for metastatic disease for the past 30 years, they are effective in only 20% of patients, and several large randomized trials have failed to demonstrate any benefit in the adjuvant setting. Alternative agents such as tamoxifen have shown modest activity. Few studies have investigated combinations of hormonally active drugs. Doxorubicin and cisplatin are the most active cytotoxic agents; a current randomized study is comparing the combination of these drugs with single-agent doxorubicin. Maximizing the effectiveness of established drugs, possibly with hematopoietic growth factors, and identifying alternative hormonal and cytotoxic agents with a sound scientific rationale will hopefully increase the effective treatment options for these patients.

scholarly journals Peptides to Tackle Leishmaniasis: Current Status and Future Directions

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4400
Author(s):  
Alberto A. Robles-Loaiza ◽  
Edgar A. Pinos-Tamayo ◽  
Bruno Mendes ◽  
Cátia Teixeira ◽  
Cláudia Alves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Peptide Sequence ◽  
Current Status ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Innovative Therapies ◽  
Antileishmanial Drug

Peptide-based drugs are an attractive class of therapeutic agents, recently recognized by the pharmaceutical industry. These molecules are currently being used in the development of innovative therapies for diverse health conditions, including tropical diseases such as leishmaniasis. Despite its socioeconomic influence on public health, leishmaniasis remains long-neglected and categorized as a poverty-related disease, with limited treatment options. Peptides with antileishmanial effects encountered to date are a structurally heterogeneous group, which can be found in different natural sources—amphibians, reptiles, insects, bacteria, marine organisms, mammals, plants, and others—or inspired by natural toxins or proteins. This review details the biochemical and structural characteristics of over one hundred peptides and their potential use as molecular frameworks for the design of antileishmanial drug leads. Additionally, we detail the main chemical modifications or substitutions of amino acid residues carried out in the peptide sequence, and their implications in the development of antileishmanial candidates for clinical trials. Our bibliographic research highlights that the action of leishmanicidal peptides has been evaluated mainly using in vitro assays, with a special emphasis on the promastigote stage. In light of these findings, and considering the advances in the successful application of peptides in leishmaniasis chemotherapy, possible approaches and future directions are discussed here.

scholarly journals The Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 186s-186s
Author(s):  
B. Akinwande ◽  
A. Nitzsche
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Control ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Control ◽  
Development Bank ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
Member States ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
National Governments ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Amount raised: Background and context: International financial institutions (IFIs), including the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank Group, multilateral and regional development banks, have played a major role in the social and economic development of low- and middle-income countries. In addition to policy expertise, economic analysis and knowledge products, IFIs provide considerable financial resources to national governments to tackle a wide range of health challenges. Intergovernmental organizations like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are providing critical support to advance the socioeconomic development of its member states as well. While there have been some collaborative initiatives to work with national governments to address the growing cancer crisis, more could still be done. With the aim of building a coalition of global partners committed to addressing the growing cancer crisis in low- and middle-income member states, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approached Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and OIC to highlight the lack of access to effective and sustainable radiotherapy in these member states and to explore potential opportunities to jointly assist member states in their efforts to improve cancer control and expand their radiation medicine services. In 2016, the IAEA, the IDB and the OIC formalized their collaboration through the signing of practical arrangements which encompass technical support, resource mobilization and the implementation of joint activities in comprehensive cancer control in common member states. As the international community acknowledges the increasing global cancer burden and includes an NCD-related target in the sustainable development goals, it is imperative for national governments, multilateral and intergovernmental organizations, including IFIs, to work together if the target is to be met. Aim: To share the experiences of the IAEA-IDB-OIC collaboration and its results so far to provide national decision makers and cancer specialists with a framework to engage a variety of critical international players in their fight against cancer. Strategy/Tactics: IAEA-OIC-IDB practical arrangements on cooperation in the area of comprehensive cancer control in common member states. Program process: Bringing IFIs and low- and middle-income member states together to review their financing needs for the implementation of priority interventions in national cancer control programs and to identify resource mobilization opportunities. Costs and returns: Member states cancer control programs funded by the Islamic Development Bank, and potentially, by other IFIs. What was learned: As the international community acknowledges the rising global cancer burden IFIs have increased their interest in working with governments in low- and middle-income countries to fight cancer. It is important for these countries to seize the opportunities provided by this new development.

scholarly journals OCTANE (Ontario-wide Cancer Targeted Nucleic Acid Evaluation): a platform for intraprovincial, national, and international clinical data-sharing

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. Malone ◽  
R. R. Saleh ◽  
C. Yu ◽  
L. Ahmed ◽  
T. Pugh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Clinical Data ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Precision Oncology ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Single Payer ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing Ngs

Cancer is a genetic disease resulting from germline or somatic genetic aberrations. Rapid progress in the field of genomics in recent years is allowing for increased characterization and understanding of the various forms of the disease. The Ontario-wide Cancer Targeted Nucleic Acid Evaluation (octane) clinical trial, open at cancer centres across Ontario, aims to increase access to genomic sequencing of tumours and to facilitate the collection of clinical data related to enrolled patients and their clinical outcomes. The study is designed to assess the clinical utility of next-generation sequencing (ngs) in cancer patient care, including enhancement of treatment options available to patients. A core aim of the study is to encourage collaboration between cancer hospitals within Ontario while also increasing international collaboration in terms of sharing the newly generated data. The single-payer provincial health care system in Ontario provides a unique opportunity to develop a province-wide registry of ngs testing and a repository of genomically characterized, clinically annotated samples. It also provides an important opportunity to use province-wide real-world data to evaluate outcomes and the cost of ngs for patients with advanced cancer.    The octane study is attempting to translate knowledge to help deliver precision oncology in a Canadian environment. In this article, we discuss the background to the study and its implementation, current status, and future directions.

scholarly journals Proposing Essential Medicines to Treat Cancer: Methodologies, Processes, and Outcomes

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence N. Shulman ◽  
Claire M. Wagner ◽  
Ronald Barr ◽  
Gilberto Lopes ◽  
Giuseppe Longo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Essential Medicines ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Public Officials ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Essential Medicines Lists ◽  
Systemic Therapies

Purpose A great proportion of the world's cancer burden resides in low- and middle-income countries where cancer care infrastructure is often weak or absent. Although treatment of cancer is multidisciplinary, involving surgery, radiation, systemic therapies, pathology, radiology, and other specialties, selection of medicines that have impact and are affordable has been particularly challenging in resource-constrained settings. In 2014, at the invitation of the WHO, the Union for International Cancer Control convened experts to develop an approach to propose essential cancer medicines to be included in the WHO Model Essential Medicines Lists (EML) for Adults and for Children, as well as a resulting new list of cancer medicines. Methods Experts identified 29 cancer types with potential for maximal treatment impact, on the basis of incidence and benefit of systemic therapies. More than 90 oncology experts from all continents drafted and reviewed disease-based documents outlining epidemiology, diagnostic needs, treatment options, and benefits and toxicities. Results Briefing documents were created for each disease, along with associated standard treatment regimens, resulting in a list of 52 cancer medicines. A comprehensive application was submitted as a revision to the existing cancer medicines on the WHO Model Lists. In May 2015, the WHO announced the addition of 16 medicines to the Adult EML and nine medicines to the Children's EML. Conclusion The list of medications proposed, and the ability to link each recommended medicine to specific diseases, should allow public officials to apply resources most effectively in developing and supporting nascent or growing cancer treatment programs.

scholarly journals Demystifying the potential of Global surgery for Public health

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parth Patel ◽  
Usman Garba Kurmi ◽  
Hadiza Abubakar Balkore ◽  
Dattatreya Mukherjee
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Care ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Global Surgery ◽  
Global Level ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Academic Surgeons ◽  
Made In ◽  
Reliable Basis

Remarkable gains have been made in global health in the last 25 years, and surgical care is anintegral component of healthcare systems for countries at all levels of development. Globalsurgery, which global surgery, which comprises clinical, educational, and researchcollaborations to improve surgical care between academic surgeons in high-income countriesand low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and their affiliated academic institutions, hasgrown significantly. Global surgery may resonate most with those in low-or-middle-incomecountries (LCMICs), where basic surgery needs are rarely met, and even the most trivialresource may be hard to obtain on a permanent or reliable basis. Therefore, considering this,this article provides an overview on various factors defining the interface between surgery andpublic health at a global level and discuss future directions.

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