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Toxicities and Symptoms of Cancer Therapy

Toxicities and Symptoms of Cancer Therapy

Building on a previous discussion at the 2010 Conference on Clinical Cancer Research, Friends partnered with MD Anderson Cancer Center to host a clinical cancer research roundtable titled “Developing Strategies for Reducing Cancer

Treatment-Related Toxicities and Symptoms” on March 25th in Houston, TX. The conference brought together stakeholders in cancer research, drug development, regulation, and advocacy to identify the challenges that have prevented progress in reducing treatment-related symptom burden and to develop strategic steps to meet these challenges.

Although cancer treatment-related toxicities are prevalent and often severe, there is little systemic research on the mechanisms of these toxicities or on the development of new agents to reduce or eliminate them. The result of treatment-related toxicities can be life altering, greatly effect medical decision making, and potentially prevent further treatment for patients.

The working group concluded with a discussion moderated by Friends Executive Director Dr. Jeff Allen about defining a proactive strategy, including advocacy opportunities to promote research about treatment-related toxicities. The discussion centered on the need for more research into the molecular mechanisms that result in toxic side effects, how to capitalize on existing data sources to better understand acute and long term effects of treatment, and how to develop additional information about emerging treatments in the context of changes to the U.S. health care system