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Promising New Drugs and Combinations. Fulfilling Our Pledge
1Department of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114-2617, USA. chabner.bruce@mgh.harvard.edu
Abstract:
We are fortunate, as physicians and clinical researchers, to live in a time of unprecedented expansion of treatment approaches. Much of this change is due to the application of new knowledge regarding the causes of malignant transformation and progression, and the pace of research and its application is likely to quicken. The pace of change is exemplified by the number and variety of new drugs that will transform treatment of cancer in the next few years: antibodies for breast cancer and lymphoma, differentiating agents for acute promyelocytic leukemia, molecularly targeted agents for chronic myelocytic leukemia, antiangiogenic drugs, antimetastatic agents, and new natural products with unique mechanisms of action. Some are already approved and in routine use, while others are progressing rapidly through the pre-approval process. All of this change presents a challenge to the practicing oncologist who must understand the biology, pharmacology, and clinical uses of the new drugs. What are the advantages, limitations, risks, and benefits of the drugs, how do they interact with other drugs and with irradiation, and how are they likely to be used in the future? To provide timely access to this information, The Oncologist has asked its board of editors to develop a new section of the Journal that will be devoted to Promising New Drugs and Combinations. Two experienced and highly respected clinical researchers, Frank Balis, Chief of the Pharmacology and Experimental Section in the Pediatrics Branch at the National Cancer Institute, and Michael Hawkins, Associate Director at the Washington Hospital Center Cancer Institute, have agreed to edit and oversee this section of the journal and will make sure that our readership has essential information on new drugs as they approach marketing status. Please let us know if we are providing useful and timely information. We value your suggestions for making The Oncologist the most relevant of all the journals you read.
Insights
The Oncologist journal introduces a new section on promising cancer drugs. This section will provide oncologists with essential information on new treatments as they approach marketing status.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- The field of oncology is experiencing rapid advancements in treatment approaches.
- New knowledge regarding cancer's causes fuels the development of novel therapies.
- The increasing pace of research presents challenges for practicing oncologists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the challenge of rapidly evolving cancer treatments for practicing oncologists.
- To provide timely access to essential information on new and promising cancer drugs.
- To establish a dedicated section in The Oncologist journal for new drug information.
Main Methods:
- The Oncologist journal's board of editors will develop a new section.
- The section will be devoted to "Promising New Drugs and Combinations."
- Experienced clinical researchers will edit and oversee the new section.
Main Results:
- The new section aims to ensure readership has essential information on drugs nearing marketing status.
- It will cover a variety of novel cancer therapeutics including antibodies, differentiating agents, and targeted therapies.
- Information will include drug biology, pharmacology, clinical uses, risks, benefits, and interactions.
Conclusions:
- The new section in The Oncologist will be a vital resource for oncologists.
- It will facilitate the understanding and application of emerging cancer treatments.
- The journal seeks reader feedback to ensure relevance and timeliness of information.