Dr. Ken Kato (National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan) discusses the unique advantages and challenges of conducting cancer research in Japan
Liver cancer remains a significant global health challenge, often going undetected until it has progressed to advanced stages. A major barrier to early detection is the lack of awareness about liver health and risk factors, such as chronic liver diseases and lifestyle choices.
A new study published in the Journal of Radiology reveals promising advancements in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve radiology reporting, particularly in the context of prostate cancer detection.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development of mRNA technologies, most notably with the creation of mRNA vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2. While these vaccines helped control the pandemic, their potential may extend beyond infectious diseases, with growing interest in their potential application to cancer immunotherapy.
Education, Conference Coverage and Articles
Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) is a novel oral formulation of two drugs with promising results in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).1 Trifluridine is a thymidine-based nucleoside analogue that, after intracellular phosphorylation, gets incorporated into DNA, causing DNA dysfunction.2 ...
Watch this touchCONGRESS activity exploring advances in treatments for patients with CML, based on data from 2024 congresses, including EHA and ESH-iCMLf.
The incidence rate of breast cancer (BC) is the highest in Pakistan among all Asian countries.1 In 2018 alone, 2.1 million cases were diagnosed, although the exact number is likely much higher due to poor reporting in rural areas and the lack ...
In our latest episode, we delve into the world of space medicine to explore how drug crystallization in microgravity could revolutionize biologic drug administration. Joining us is Dr Katie King, CEO of BioOrbit, to discuss the science, challenges, and technological advancements that could make space-based drug production a reality.
Share your knowledge, influence clinical practices and enhance patient care in Oncology today!
Few alliances have impacted patient care as significantly as the Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research Consortium (MPN-RC). Established in 2006, the MPN-RC is an international group dedicated to advancing research and developing innovative treatment strategies for myeloproliferative neoplasms. In this episode, we speak with Prof. John Mascarenhas, about the coalition's founding, operational mechanics and how their efforts have led to paradigm-shifting therapies in the field.
Endocrine therapy (ET) has changed the natural history of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC) and is the cornerstone of the treatment of HR+ BC. There are several ETs approved for the treatment of BC, including selective oestrogen receptor modulators (...
Welcome to the latest issue of touchREVIEWS in Oncology & Haematology. We are honoured to present a series of compelling articles that reflect cutting-edge developments and diverse perspectives in this ever-evolving field. This issue includes a series of editorials and ...
Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) is a novel human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) designed to effectively deliver a potent topoisomerase I inhibitor (exatecan derivative) to HER2-expressing cancer cells and limit potential systemic toxicity.1 T-DXd has ...
Unmet clinical needs for patients with advanced epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated non–small-cell lung cancer Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have become the standard first-line therapy for patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harbouring ...
The treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer has advanced significantly in recent years. This is particularly important, given the rising mortality rates of endometrial cancer, particularly among high-risk subtypes.1 Platinum-based chemotherapy had long been the standard of care in ...
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the seventh most frequently occurring cancer in the world and the second most common cause of cancer mortality.1 The incidence of HCC has been growing rapidly, with a 75% increase in newly diagnosed cases from 1990 to 2015.2 Approximately 90% ...
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a cancer of the epithelial cells lining the biliary tree in the liver and can occur both inside the liver (intrahepatic CCA [iCCA]) and outside the liver (extrahepatic CCA, which includes both perihilar and distal cholangiocarcinoma) (Figure 1). ...
Outcomes for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have steadily improve due to discovery of new drugs as well as increasing number patients undergoing local therapies.1 Angiogenesis is of a paramount importance in this disease and since vascular endothelial growth factor (...
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, poorly differentiated and highly aggressive neuroendocrine cutaneous cancer with a high propensity to grow rapidly and metastasize early. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is now estimated to be the causative factor in up to 80% ...
Key points Olutasidenib induces durable responses in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutations in the phase I and II clinical trials. The side effects of olutasidenib are well known and ...
In the latest edition of touchREVIEWS in Oncology & Haematology, we are pleased to present a collection of articles that delve into the latest research and advancements in the field. From innovative therapies and genetic treatments to analyses of digital ...
Introducing the Editorial Board of touchREVIEWS in Oncology, who support our mission to advance medical knowledge and practice by ensuring the integrity, relevance, and impact of the content we publish. Together, we strive to foster a vibrant academic community and contribute to the continuous improvement of healthcare worldwide.
Genitourinary Cancers
Professor of Urology and Chairman of the Department of Urology at University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Germany
Axel Merseburger is Professor of Urology and Chairman of the Department of Urology at University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Germany. After graduating from Hannover Medical School in 2002, he completed a surgery and urology residency at the Eberhard Karls University, in Tübingen, followed by a research fellowship at the Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA (2006). He became an Associate Professor in 2009 and a full Professor in 2012 at Hannover Medical School. In 2015 he was promoted to become chairman of the Department of Urology at the University of Lübeck. He is trained in all aspects of open and endoscopic urology and has a particular interest in laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery, particularly for the management of prostate, renal and bladder cancer. Professor Merseburger is a member of various uro-oncology organizations and is the Chairman-Elect for the European Scholarship Program (ESUP) of the European Association of Urology (EAU) and was the Chairman of the EAU Guideline Group for Lasers and Technologies. He acts as a reviewer and editorial board member for several urology and oncology-indexed journals. His research encompasses molecular and clinical aspects of uro-oncology, with a specific interest in biomarkers and prognostic factors for prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and transitional cell carcinoma. He has authored and co-authored >300 peer-reviewed articles and he is the principal investigator in multiple phase II and III clinical trials within the field of urologic oncology.
Gynaecological Cancers
Director of Gynaecological Oncology Unit at Humanitas Hospital San Pio X, Milan, and Full Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan
Domenica Lorusso, MD, PhD, is Director of Gynaecological Oncology Unit at Humanitas Hospital San Pio X, Milan, and Full Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan. Prof. Lorusso has been involved in gynecological oncology research for more than 25 years and has conducted or participated in approximately 250 phase I-IV clinical trials in gynecological malignancies. At present she is Principal Investigators of more than 60 studies.
Prof. Lorusso is responsible for the Clinical Trials Committee of the MITO (Multicenter Italian Trials in Ovarian Cancer and Gynaecological Malignancies) Group, which includes more than 150 Italian centers involved in gynecological oncology research. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Gynaecological Cancer Intergroup including 23 international research groups involved in the promotion and conduction of high-quality clinical trials to improve outcomes for women with gynecological cancers. Prof. Lorusso is also an active member of ENGOT (European Network of Gynaecological Oncological Trial groups), an international organization which coordinates and promotes clinical trials within Europe for patients with gynecological cancers where she chairs the Gynecological Cancer Academy. She is a member of the Board of Director of the European Society of Gynecological Oncology (ESGO). She has also co-authored about 300 international oncology publications. She is author of national and international guidelines on treatment of ovarian, cervical and endometrial cancer.
Prof. Lorusso’s key goals are to ensure best treatment to all patients and promote the clinical research, international trial collaborations and educations.
Head and neck cancers
Director of Translational Research for Esophago-Gastric Cancer (EGC) and Associate Professor of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), Nashville, Tennessee
Michael K Gibson, MD, PhD FACP, is Director of Translational Research for Esophago-Gastric Cancer (EGC) at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), where he also holds a faculty position as Associate Professor of Medicine.
After receiving his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr Gibson completed an Osler Medical Residency and medical oncology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital while concurrently earning a doctorate of philosophy in clinical investigation at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Dr Gibson’s goal is to integrate the multidisciplinary pre-clinical research and clinical trials programs in esophago-gastric cancers at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. He manages the trial portfolio for these diseases to integrate the research programs across disciplines and lines of care.
Dr Gibson is a member of the NCI Esophago-Gastric Task Force and a member of the NCCN Esophageal/Gastric Cancers Panel. He is the study Co-Chair of EA2174 and EA 2183 and the Co-Leader along with Drs. Malcom Brock and Hajime Orita of the Jutendo/Johns Hopkins/Vanderbilt International Esophago-Gastric Collaboration.
The overall goals of Dr Gibson’s research efforts are to bring novel therapeutics to the treatment of esophago-gastric cancers based on rational pre-clinical investigation and in the setting of a focus on patient safety and outcomes.
Gastrointestinal cancers
Medical Oncologist and Chief of the Department of Head and Neck, Esophageal Medical Oncology, and Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at the National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
Dr Ken Kato is a medical oncologist and the Chief of the Department of Head and Neck, Esophageal Medical Oncology, and Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at the National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan (2020-2024). Additionally, he serves as the Chief of the Biobank Translational Research Support Section within the Clinical Research Coordinating Section at the Clinical Research Support Office of the same hospital. Dr Kato’s primary focus lies in chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy for esophageal, esophagogastric and gastric cancers. He has been an active contributor to the Japan Esophageal Oncology Group of the JCOG, which is Japan’s leading clinical trial group for cancer.
The group has spearheaded clinical trials aimed at developing new chemotherapy treatments for metastatic diseases and early-stage esophageal cancer in multimodal therapy settings. As a study coordinator, Dr Kato led the JCOG0502 randomized phase III trial, which compared surgery with chemoradiotherapy for clinical stage I esophageal squamous carcinoma, demonstrating the non-inferiority of chemoradiotherapy compared to surgery. Another significant trial, JCOG1109, evaluated neoadjuvant therapy for resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, revealing that triplet chemotherapy improves survival compared to doublet chemotherapy, thereby offering a new perspective on neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer.
In the arena of new drug development, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, Dr Kato has played a key role as a steering committee member in several international phase III trials for esophageal cancer, such as ATTRACTION-3, KEYNOTE-590, CheckMate-648, RATIONALE-306, among others.
Furthermore, Dr Kato holds the position of vice-chairperson at the Japan Esophageal Society (JES) and serves as a Director of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE). His commitment extends to organizing international conferences in Asia and engaging in public relations activities.
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