Patients have realized that they are not guinea pigs and a way to access new drugs faster. Public funding for independent research, however, is in short supply
Participating in a trial is an opportunity for cancer patients and the old stereotype of the patient as a guinea pig that has never been overcome. In a clinical trial the opportunities almost always outweigh the risks, which are always very limited: a new drug arrives to be studied in humans after laboratory research and with quality and safety tests produced in experiments conducted in animals. Given that cancer is almost always a fight against timeoften participating in a study means (especially for those with advanced or metastatic cancer) being able to receive innovative drugs not yet on the market, which are hoped to be more effective, as demonstrated by the results of hundreds of studies presented in recent days during the congress of the American Society of Oncology (Asco), underway in Chicago.
Advantages for the individual and for the whole community
And then there is the ethical aspect: from a broader social perspective, if we do not look only at the possible income of the individual, participation allows each person to contribute their experience to the advancement of knowledge, improving the expectations of future patients. Improving existing therapies, reducing the side effects of treatments and developing more personalized or less expensive treatments are some of the crucial objectives that we can achieve with independent research – he points out. Carmine Pinto, president of the Federation of italian cooperative oncology groups (Ficog) -. Non-profit studies, i.e. not directly promoted by the pharmaceutical industry but by public or non-profit research bodies, are in decline in Italy and public funding has always been insufficient. For this reason we have decided to launch a campaign that aims to raise awareness of citizens and institutions on the value of independent trials. Ficog brings together the 16 oncological cooperative groups that have been promoting non-profit clinical research in our country since the 1970s and in Chicago has decided to present the results of a survey conducted within the Do you know how important? Campaign, promoted together with the Association. Italian Medical Oncology (Aiom): one in five Italians recognize the expertise and quality of the activities of researchers, but 59% deem it insufficient due to the scarce public resources allocated to the sector. 10% argue that more professionals are needed to follow projects and experiments. 26% of the interviewees would participate in a trial in order to be able to quickly access an innovative drug, while only 2% would refuse in order not to be a guinea pig.
Useful information for the sick
Participating in a trial for the sick for free (even if it can create inconvenience for those who live far from the hospital) and it is good that it is clear to the sick that each study carefully weighs the possible advantages and disadvantages; the oncologist is the first contact person to ask for all useful information. The path of experimentation in man inspired by two principles: prudence and graduality. In the first studies (phases I and II), few patients were treated at low doses for verify and ensure safety. The higher doses (hopefully even more effective) are gradually reached and the number of patients who are proposed to experiment with the new drug gradually increases over time if it is verified that the drug is active against cancer and with side effects that can be manage and tolerate.
How to participate
In Italy, about 377 thousand new cases of cancer are diagnosed every year and 3.6 million, almost 6% of the entire population, are citizens alive after diagnosis, with an increase of 37% compared to 10 years ago – remember Saverio Cinieri, president Aiom -. Thanks to scientific research, both the healings for many types of cancer and the people who live together for a long time, even for many years, with a neoplasm that aims to transform into a chronic disease, with checks and cycles of treatments, are increasing. Correct information for an integral part of improvements: to be enrolled in a study you must have characteristics that are written in protocol approved by the ethics committeewhere precise inclusion and exclusion criteria are indicated: it is not enough to have a type of tumor (for example breast), but we take into consideration many different and complex biological characteristics (subtype of cancer, genetic mutations) and clinical (general conditions of the patient, therapies already carried out, any other pathologies present and so on). How do you participate? Not the patient who has to worry about looking for it, but the oncologist who should propose it to him, after having inquired about any experiments indicated in his case, Cinieri answers.
Independent trials: in Italy -4% in 5 years
92% of the interviewees would like to receive more news on oncology research and a request that comes not only from patients, but also from citizens. 63% indicate the internet and social media as the most suitable information tools. Thus, the Ficog campaign includes a booklet, presented at the Asco congress, which will be distributed in the oncology departments and can be downloaded online, together with commercials and videos designed for the internet and social media. The entire sector of strategic research for our country but is still underfunded and more generally adequately supported and developed also by the institutions – concludes Pinto -. Italian cancer research is among the best and most productive, yet we have many problems to solve: public funding for independent trials continues to be insufficient and bureaucracy needs to be simplified. Non-profit studies in the period 2015-19 decreased by 4.1% overall. Our Federation has therefore decided to address the Italian population directly to communicate the value of research and its essential role for the progress in knowledge and in cancer control and treatment strategies. To keep our oncology at the top of the world, however, we need to allocate adequate human, technological and economic resources also in the field of research.
June 3, 2022 (change June 3, 2022 | 17:09)
© REPRODUCTION RESERVED
#Cancer #sufferers #joining #trial #advantage