Precision Medicine in Oncology®

The FDA has approved its first-ever direct-to-consumer genetic test for the detection of a gene variant that could be associated with Bloom syndrome, a rare inherited disorder associated with a higher risk of developing cancer and other health concerns.

Oncologists, hematologists, and other experts on hematologic malignancies will convene for the 19th Annual International Congress on Hematologic Malignancies, from February 20-21 in Miami, Florida, to provide insight into recent developments in the treatment of the diseases.

Dennis J. Slamon, MD, PhD, has had an immeasurable impact on the treatment of women with breast cancer by developing trastuzumab (Herceptin) and helping to launch the era of targeted therapies. He was honored in the Breast Cancer category with a 2014 Giants of Cancer Careâ„¢ award, a program that the Intellisphere® Oncology Specialty Group launched to honor leaders in the field.

We hear the terms individualized, personalized, and precision medicine often used interchangeably. Everyone would agree, however, that the "one-size-fits-all blockbuster drugs/approach" is over.

Abraham Chachoua, MD, associate director of cancer services at NYU Langone Medical Center, talks about targeted treatment for mutations in non-small cell lung cancer and adenocarcinoma.

The 'precision medicine initiative' proposed by President Barack Obama will require an initial investment of $215 million and consent from 1 million volunteers, with the goal of discovering potential cures for patients with cancer.