Perspective: cancer care and the new biology

Over the past 25 years, measurable--albeit relatively modest--improvements in the outcome of treatment for patients with cancer have taken place. During a similar time period, there has been an explosion of information on the molecular biology and genetic basis of cancer, with the evolution of a remarkable array of new and powerful laboratory tools. The advances made in cancer care owe little to these developments in the laboratory. Looking forward, however, the opportunity now exists for the new knowledge to be harnessed, through a proper partnership of laboratory and clinical scientists, to provide significant further improvements in results. These should occur through developments in prevention, early diagnosis, and particularly in new forms of therapy. This will require a shift in emphasis on the part of all concerned, and there is already evidence that this is beginning to happen.