Yasmina Kattou / Photo credits: JOEL SAGET / AFP
The classification of cancers is based on the organ affected even when it becomes metastatic, that is, it spreads to the rest of the body. A classification system which no longer makes much sense according to researchers from around the world who warn in the journal “Nature”.
It is a glimmer of hope for millions of patients: the treatment of metastatic cancers is evolving. Breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer… Today, all oncology is based on the organ that was initially affected, even if the tumor has spread throughout the body.
No longer classify cancers by organ
In an article published in the journal Naturedoctors from around the world, including researchers from the Gustave Roussy Institute in the Paris region, explain why it is imperative to move towards a reclassification of cancers from the moment they become metastatic – that is to say at from the moment they spread to the rest of the body – because this could change everything for patients.
“Millions of patients” affected
When breast cancer spreads to the rest of the body, the cancer cells may share the same genetic mutation as pancreatic cancer, for example. However, today, to produce a targeted treatment, patients are included in clinical trials according to the organ affected. This therefore prevents patients with other cancers from benefiting from therapy that could also treat them.
“We see patients every day who cannot get treatment because they don’t have the right disease. It’s just crazy. Honestly, it’s an injustice that is mind-blowing. The stakes are very high “, worldwide, millions of patients are beginning to have access to medicines to which they would not otherwise have been able to access,” explains Fabrice André, research director of the Gustave Roussy Institute.
Thanks to this change in treatment, many metastatic cancers could be treated in the long term like chronic diseases and would thus increase the life expectancy of patients.