Already approved drugs could cut risk of cervical cancer return, study finds

Annals of Oncology – 2023

Use of existing drugs before the standard treatment for cervical cancer could lead to a reduction of about one-third in the risk of the disease recurring or causing death, the results of a study suggest.

Researchers assessed whether a short course of induction chemotherapy (IC), using cheap, already approved drugs to destroy as many cancer cells as possible, could reduce rates of relapse and death if administered before chemoradiation (CRT), a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Cancer Research UK said the results were “remarkable”.

The trial found that after five years, 80% of those who received IC plus CRT were alive and 73% had not seen their cancer return or spread. In those who just had the standard treatment, 72% were alive and 64% had not seen their cancer return or spread.

LBA8 A randomised phase III trial of induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation compared with chemoradiation alone in locally advanced cervical cancer: The GCIG INTERLACE trial

AI could improve cancer diagnosis – if we get these 5 things right

Cancer Research UK – October 2023

The cancer diagnostic workforce is under intense pressure to keep up with patient need.  

There is currently a shortage of both radiologists and pathologists. Modelling suggests that without changes, these shortfalls will get worse over the next 15 years. 

This problem is made even worse by the fact that demand for diagnostic services is forecast to grow. Cancer Research UK’s modelling suggests that the average number of new cases diagnosed each year is projected to reach half a million by 2040, up from around 385,000 between 2017 and 2019.  

Although AI technology isn’t ready to be used everywhere today, it’s improving fast. Bringing it into cancer diagnosis could be the next big step. Here are the key things the NHS, the UK Government and AI developers need to do to prepare. 

1. Support the workforce 

2. Build the right infrastructure  

3. Nurture confident leaders  

4. Avoid inequality 

5. Maintain public trust  

Further information – AI could improve cancer diagnosis – if we get these 5 things right