Alongside the ESMO congress, MEDSIR organized a symposium on brain metastases to address the essential role of investigator-initiated trials and industry-sponsored trials in revolutionizing their understanding and treatment strategies.
Prof. Antonio Llombart-Cussac and Prof. Matthias Preusser at MEDtalks
Barcelona, September 17th, 2024 – As part of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) congress, held in Barcelona from September 13 to 17, MEDSIR, a company dedicated to promoting independent clinical research in oncology worldwide and part of Oncoclínicas & Co, the largest oncology treatment group in Latin America with a strong presence in outpatient clinical care, organized a symposium titled ‘MEDTalks: Leading the Future of Brain Metastases’ in collaboration with the Daiichi Sankyo | AstraZeneca Alliance to address one of the greatest challenges in oncology.
Brain metastases remain a critical unmet need, occurring most frequently in solid tumors such as lung, breast, and skin. The event highlighted the essential role of investigator-initiated trials as a key tool to improve the understanding of this delicate patient group and to develop new treatment strategies, complementing the advances achieved in industry-sponsored trials.
The event was moderated by Dr. Antonio Llombart, MD, PhD, Senior Scientific Leader at MEDSIR and Head of the Medical Oncology Department at Arnau de Vilanova Hospital, and Professor Matthias Preusser, Head of the Oncology Division at the Medical University of Vienna and Chair of the Brain Tumor Group at EORTC. A total of six presentations were delivered, covering brain metastases from a 360-degree perspective, including their epidemiology, biology, pathology, and development, as well as recent advances and future perspectives on their treatment.
The panel featured several international speakers with prominent expertise in the field: Prof. Manuel Valiente (Spain), who focused on the biological origin of metastasis; Prof. Giuseppe Banna (United Kingdom), who discussed the clinical approach with patients; Prof. Alfredo Addeo (Switzerland), who addressed new trends in the treatment of the disease; and Prof. Nathalie Albert (Germany), who centered her talk on the importance of imaging tests and appropriate technologies for the detection and follow-up of the pathology.
Prof. Manuel Valiente (Spain), Prof. Matthias Preusser (Austria), Prof. Antonio Llombart-Cussac (Spain), Prof. Nathalie Albert (Germany), Prof. Alfredo Addeo (Switzerland), Prof. Giuseppe Banna (United Kingdom)
Among the key takeaways, the experts emphasized innovative new drugs, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and radioligands, delving into the emerging field and the potential of theranostic oncology. "To make informed decisions based on both clinical factors and the patient’s molecular profile, we must work in multidisciplinary and diverse teams," said Banna, medical oncologist specializing in lung and urologic cancers and Honorary Professor at the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
Dr. Llombart added, “thanks to innovation and research, we are offering new treatment possibilities that are making a difference in patients’ lives, especially for those with limited therapeutic options. We aim to reach all of them, regardless of the complexity of their pathology, to ensure their longevity and quality of life.”
Brain metastases
Brain metastases are secondary brain cancers that develop as a complication in up to 25% of cancer patients.1 Moreover, they account for the majority of diagnosed brain tumors.2 The most common primary cancers that lead to brain metastases are lung (50-60%), breast (15-20%), melanoma (5-10%), and colorectal (4-6%) cancers.1,3 Physicians are increasingly recognizing the impact of conventional brain cancer therapies on neurocognition and quality of life.2 As a result, there is a growing trend toward less invasive therapies and treatments that improve patients' quality of life. In recent years, long-term prognosis and survival rates have significantly improved with the development of both targeted and systemic therapies.2,4
References:
Le Rhun E, et al. Ann Oncol. 2021;32(11):1332-1347
Amsbaugh MJ, Kim CS. Brain Metastasis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-.
Weidle U,Niewohner J, Tiefenthaler, G. Cancer Genomics & Proteomics.2015;12(4):167-177.
Tabouret E, et al. Anticancer Research. 2012;32(11):4655-4662.
About MEDSIR
Established in 2012, MEDSIR prides itself on working closely with its strategic partners to drive innovation in oncology research. Operating in Spain and the United States, the company provides end-to-end clinical trial management, from study design to publication, with an extensive global network of experts and integrated technology to streamline the process. The company offers proof-of-concept support and a strategic approach that enables research partners to benefit from the best of both worlds: industry clinical research and investigator-driven trials.
With the aim of promoting independent research worldwide, MEDSIR has formed a strategic alliance with Oncoclínicas, the leading oncology group in Brazil, which offers outstanding research potential in South America.
For further information: www.medsir.org
About Oncoclínicas & CO
Oncoclínicas&Co is the largest group dedicated to cancer treatment in Latin America, with a specialized and innovative model focused on the entire oncology care journey, combining operational efficiency, humanized care, and high specialization through a medical team composed of over 2,700 specialist physicians with an emphasis on oncology. With its mission to democratize cancer treatment, it offers a comprehensive system that integrates outpatient clinics with high-complexity cancer centers. The company operates 145 units across 39 Brazilian cities, allowing high-quality access in all regions it serves, aligned with world-class standards.
Focusing on technology, precision medicine, and genomics, Oncoclínicas performed approximately 635,000 treatments in 2023. It is the exclusive partner in Brazil of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, one of the world’s leading cancer research and treatments centers. The company also owns Boston Lighthouse Innovation, a bioinformatics firm based in Cambridge, United States, and holds shares in Medsir, a company dedicated to the development and management of clinical trials for independent cancer research, based in Barcelona, Spain.
Recently, Oncoclínicas expanded its operations to Saudi Arabia through a joint venture with the Al Faisaliah Group, bringing its mission to beat cancer to a new continent and providing advanced oncology care on a global scale by combining oncological hyperspecialization with innovative treatment approaches.
The company is part of the IDIVERSA index, launched by B3, highlighting companies committed to gender and racial diversity. For more information, visit:www.grupooncoclinicas.com
