U.S.-China Synergies Could Revolutionize Cancer Treatment Economics
Forbes China, May 22, 2023
Dr. Bob Li from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center emphasized the importance of U.S.-China collaboration in fighting cancer, despite tensions between the two countries. The collaboration is crucial due to the high number of cancer-related deaths in both nations. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a pioneer in cancer treatment, has been at the forefront of innovative treatments like immunotherapy, which has saved many lives. International cooperation in clinical trials is vital for translating scientific discoveries into life-saving treatments.
Dr. Li highlighted the lengthy and expensive process of drug development, with clinical trials taking 10 to 15 years to complete without global collaboration. With only about 5% of cancer patients participating in new treatment trials, there is a need to streamline processes and make treatments more accessible. Precision medicine, which tailors treatments to individual patients, further emphasizes the need for international collaboration to reach more patients and accelerate the development timeline.
Successful collaborations between the U.S. and China, like the development of the EGFR inhibitor for lung cancer, demonstrate the potential benefits of working together. Looking ahead, Dr. Li stressed the need to rethink the current ecosystem of oncology research and make it more patient-centric. He called for every cancer patient to have access to clinical trials and emphasized the importance of reinventing the rules to accelerate progress and save lives. Collaborative efforts can help bridge gaps in clinical trial accrual, diversify patient populations, and bring treatments to those in need.
