Health

The naming convention for cancer urgently needs to be changed

2024-02-02   

In a review article published in Nature on the 1st, scientists from Gustave Roussey Institute in France pointed out that organ based cancer classification, such as breast cancer, lung cancer or pancreatic cancer, needs to be transformed into molecular based classification. The article states that "classifying cancer based on the molecular characteristics of tumors will enable millions of people to receive effective treatment faster." The divergence in cancer classification based on the organs that produce tumors and the development of tumors is growing, and precision oncology advocates using the molecular spectrum of tumors and immune cells to guide treatment. To illustrate this issue, researchers used the drug nivolumab as an example. This drug targets the receptor PD1 of PD-L1 protein, which can help cancer cells escape immune system attacks. In clinical trials, the key factor determining the efficacy of the drug is whether tumor cells express PD-L1 at high levels. Researchers have pointed out that over a period of about 10 years, patients with PD-L1 overexpressing tumors were unable to obtain the relevant drugs that could have helped them. This is because according to the traditional definition of cancer types, most drugs have not been clinically tested. Changing cancer classification may promote medical education and patient understanding. The article suggests that if patients are informed of the biological mechanisms that lead to cancer, they can better understand the basis for treatment. The article concludes that in addition to helping patients, changing the classification of cancer is also the first step towards precision oncology and further understanding the biological mechanisms of cancer. (Lai Xin She)

Edit:GuoGuo Responsible editor:FangZhiYou

Source:people.cn

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