Why Haven't We Cured Cancer?

Summary

This video discusses the evolution of cancer treatment strategies, highlighting the shift from mutation-specific therapies to a new approach where cancer samples are grown in labs. By testing hundreds of drugs against a patient's cancer, researchers can identify the most effective treatment without needing to pinpoint the exact mutation. This innovative method, championed by Florida International University, shows promising results, with 83% of pediatric patients improving under this strategy. While a complete cancer cure remains elusive, this advancement suggests that creating more cancer samples may be key to effective treatment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cancer is caused by various genetic mutations, making treatment complex.
• 😀 A treatment effective for one patient may not work for another with the same cancer type.
• 😀 Advances in genetic testing allowed scientists to identify cancer-causing mutations.
• 😀 Initial hopes of easily copying and pasting mutation-specific treatments have not been realized.
• 😀 Many existing cancer drugs have not proven effective across different patients with the same mutation.
• 😀 Treatment responses are influenced by numerous factors beyond the initial mutation.
• 😀 Researchers are exploring a new approach: growing patient-specific cancer cells in the lab.
• 😀 This method allows for testing multiple drugs simultaneously against the patient's cancer.
• 😀 Early trials show this new strategy is more effective than traditional treatments.
• 😀 Florida International University is at the forefront of this research, with promising results in pediatric cancer patients.

Q & A

What was the initial expectation for curing cancer based on genetic mutations?

Scientists initially believed that by identifying specific genetic mutations causing cancer, they could develop targeted treatments that would effectively cure the disease in all patients with the same mutation.

Why didn't the copy-and-paste treatment approach work as anticipated?

The copy-and-paste treatment method was less effective than expected because the response to treatment varies widely among patients, influenced by factors beyond the specific mutation.

What breakthrough approach are scientists exploring instead of copying treatments?

Scientists are now sampling a patient's cancer, growing it in the lab, and testing various drugs directly against it to determine the most effective treatment.

How does the new approach of copying and pasting cancer work?

This approach involves isolating a patient's cancer cells, growing them in multiple wells, and exposing them to various drugs simultaneously to see which one works best.

What were the results of initial clinical trials using the new approach?

Initial clinical trials showed promising results, with nearly 40% of patients experiencing better outcomes compared to traditional treatments.

What percentage of children showed improvement when treated using the new method at FIU?

83% of children who received treatments guided by this new approach showed improvement in their condition.

What is functional precision medicine?

Functional precision medicine is a field of research that aims to personalize cancer treatment by understanding how specific tumors respond to various therapies.

What is the role of Florida International University in this research?

Florida International University, particularly the team led by Dr. Diana Azzam, is at the forefront of clinical trials exploring the new approach to cancer treatment.

Why is there caution about the long-term effectiveness of the new approach?

While the initial results are promising, researchers emphasize the need for further studies to confirm the long-term effectiveness and viability of this new treatment strategy.

What does the phrase 'control C and control V' refer to in the context of cancer treatment?

The phrase 'control C and control V' humorously suggests that one of the best ways to combat cancer may involve reproducing cancer cells in a controlled environment to test treatments.