Precision Medicine in Oncology®

The recent approval of nivolumab in the non–small cell lung cancer setting marks a unique shift in the treatment landscape of this malignancy, one that harnesses the patient's own immune system to target the tumors. However, there are challenges in using these agents.

Alan M. Miller, MD, PhD, Director of the Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center and Chief of Oncology for the Baylor Health Care System discusses the benefits of liquid biopsy.

Amid the increasingly public discussion and often vigorous debate surrounding the general topic of precision cancer medicine, there appears to be a misconception of what the term is meant to imply.

The Emperor of All Maladies documentary did a great job of capturing the innovative genius of mankind and the heroism of both oncologists and the patients who participated in their research.

Given the higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer in BRCA mutation carriers, should broader screening for the abnormality be implemented?

Population-based cancer screening using genetic sequencing technology is an idea worthy of careful consideration, but there are many challenges to implementing such a program.

Like all new ideas or technologies, rapidly occurring changes present both opportunities and challenges for everyone involved, including government, patients, payers and physicians.

Patricia M. LoRusso, DO, Associate Director of Innovative Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, discusses the Dream Team Melanoma trial, which is investigating using personalized medicine to treat non-V600E melanoma subtypes.