ROME (ITALPRESS) – In the field of oncology, research has made important achievements, but gaps still remain, such as timelines for access to innovative drugs, support for research and early diagnosis. Many metastatic patients, in fact, face limited survival and much longer waiting times for access to treatment than in the rest of Europe, in addition to regional unevenness. Scientific community, institutions, patient associations, and also entertainment personalities joined in a joint effort, presented with the meeting “Breast Cancer. Unmet need and new frontiers of oncology,” sponsored by the Parliamentary Intergroup “new therapeutic frontiers in breast cancer,” organized by Improve srl, with the nonconditional sponsorship of Gilead Sciences, which was held at the Rome Film Festival.’Our commitment is developed along several lines,’ emphasizes Simona Loizzo, chairwoman of the Parliamentary Intergroup on ‘new therapeutic frontiers in breast cancer’ and member XII Commission on Social Affairs, Chamber of Deputies. ‘One of our goals is to promote access to innovative drugs, which can represent a turning point in the treatment of some patients. Our efforts are aimed at supporting the fastest possible approval of therapies in order to facilitate the implementation of research at the clinical level. Our focus has long been on triple-negative breast cancer, the most aggressive form of breast cancer with a high mortality rate and 5-year survival of only 11%. It is essential that all patients and, with additional attention, patients in advanced stages of disease, patients with diseases with a rapid course and the shortest life time available, be assured access to innovative therapies-already available in all other European countries-as quickly as possible. The other key point is raising awareness in favor of prevention, with campaigns that can reach even the most peripheral communitiesè.’The data on the incidence of breast cancer indicate a slight increase, likely due to a greater extension of diagnostic investigations and population screening as well as an increase in women’s survival at 5 years after diagnosis (88% survival rate) – highlights Professor Francesco Saverio Mennini, Head of the Department of Planning, Medical Devices, Drugs and Policies in Favor of the National Health Service, Ministry of Health – This means that prevention and rehabilitation measures put in place are working. Certainly we still need to do more especially to overcome disparities that still exist on the ground in terms of prevention and treatment. As a Ministry, we are implementing the planned interventions in terms of strengthening prevention and health care for the cancer patient, including the implementation of screening programs, strengthening territorial services, increasing the number of Breast Units and defining indicators that measure the outcomes of the treatment offered to the patient. It is also necessary to study the performance of the devices used, to understand whether we are guaranteeing the best for our patients in terms of reconstruction. To do this today in Italy we have the National Register of Breast Prosthetic Implants, in which, in just 5 months from full operation in the country, more than 28,000 patients have already been registered. The registry is another extraordinary tool, with which the Ministry of Health is now able to monitor and supervise the oncology patient, intervening promptly when necessary, including tracking patients to undergo specific follow-ups. The registry will also give us back important data for scientific research in clinical and biomedical fields and for health planningà.Breast cancer is a widespread neoplasm in Italy: in women, one in three (30 percent) malignancies is breast cancer. In 2022, there are an estimated 55,700 new cancer diagnoses in Italian women, an increase of 0.5 percent from 2020. Among the most aggressive forms is “Triple Negative” breast cancer: it accounts for 15% of breast cancers, about 8,000 cases per year in Italy, and often affects younger women. It is an aggressive tumor with a high capacity to metastasize to other organs. The median survival of patients with metastatic triple-negative cancer is about 14 months and at five years about 11 percent, of patients are alive, a much lower percentage than women with other forms of breast cancer.’In recent years, there have been important changes in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer,’ stresses Nicla La Verde, Director of Oncology, Sacco Hospital – Azienda Ospedaliera Fatebenefratelli Sacco in Milan, Italy.’This cancer does not respond to traditional hormonal treatments and in the past had a worse prognosis, because treatment options were limited mainly to chemotherapy. However, thanks to scientific advances, today we have new drugs that we can use in both early and advanced stages of the disease. Depending on the specific characteristics of the tumor, patients can be treated with immunotherapy, which helps the immune system fight the tumor, or with other targeted treatments such as PARP inhibitors, drugs that work in patients who have BRCA1/2 mutations, and antibody conjugated drugs (ADCs), which consist of an antibody that can carry the chemotherapy to which it is bound directly inside the tumor cells. These new approaches are improving the prospects of cure for many patients.Another subtype of breast cancer, which is very common, however, is advanced HR+ breast cancer, which accounts for about 70-80% of cases.A proportion of women with this cancer develop resistance to endocrine therapy, with 15-20% of tumors intrinsically resistant and 30-40% developing resistance over the years. Precisely because this neoplasm is so widespread, it is essential to have the latest generation of therapies, both through speeded access to new drugs and by eliminating any inequality in access to treatment.’Recently, surgery for breast cancer has made great progress,’ stresses Professor Oreste Gentilini, Director of Breast Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.’For example, today we are able to reduce the need for invasive surgery, especially on lymph nodes. Modern techniques such as sentinel lymph node biopsy make it possible to avoid larger operations without compromising patients’ recovery. In some cases, according to recent studies, it is possible not to operate on lymph nodes at all, thus improving patients’ quality of life. Another important aspect is the use of artificial intelligence: thanks to a European Union-funded study called ‘Cinderellà,’ an algorithm will be able to show the patient a simulation of post-operative results, increasing satisfaction. However, there is still much to be done. For example, adherence to screening campaigns is still limited, even though early detection can reduce breast cancer mortality by more than 20 percent. In addition, we need more independent studies to evaluate surgical techniques and improve patients’ prognosis and quality of life.The meeting “Breast Cancer. Unmet need and new frontiers of oncology” opened with institutional greetings from Ugo Cappellacci, Chairman XII Commission, Social Affairs, Chamber of Deputies, and Professor Rocco Bellantone, President of the Istituto Superiore Sanità. This will be followed by speeches by Simona Baldassarre, Councillor for Culture, Equal Opportunities, Youth and Family Policies, Civil Service – Lazio Region; Lorenza Lei, Head of Cinema and Audiovisual, Presidency Cabinet Office, Lazio Region. In the following panel discussion, the speeches of Simona Loizzo, President of the Parliamentary Intergroup “New Therapeutic Frontiers in Breast Cancer”; Professor Francesco Saverio Mennini, Head of the Department of Planning, Medical Devices, Drugs and Policies in Favor of the National Health Service, Ministry of Health; by Nicla La Verde, Director of Oncology, Sacco Hospital – Azienda Ospedaliera Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan; by Annamaria Bianchi, PhD in “Technological Innovations in Integrated Breast Cancer Therapies” UCSC; by Professor Oreste Gentilini, Director of Breast Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan; and by Maria Alessandra Mirri, Director of Oncology Department and Radiation Therapy UOC, ASL Roma 1. The point of view of patient associations was brought by Adriana Bonifacino, President of the IncontraDonna Foundation, and Anna Maria Mancuso President and Founder of the Associazione Salute Donna Onlus.On innovative drugs, Paolo Foggi, Director of Drug Innovation and Strategy – AIFA, spoke. Moderated by Cecilia Primerano, TG1 Journalist, RAI. In conclusion, the testimony of actress Monica Guerritore. “We are delighted to be alongside the Parliamentary Intergroup on New Therapeutic Frontiers in Breast Cancer today in promoting such an important discussion dedicated to breast cancer in the prestigious setting of the Rome Film Festival,” commented Frederico da Silva, CEO of Gilead Sciences Italia. “For more than 35 years, we have been dedicated to the development of innovative drugs to treat serious diseases and improve the lives of millions of people around the world. Our commitment in oncology, particularly in breast cancer and other forms of cancer, is growing steadily, and collaborating with institutions, clinicians and patient associations is essential to ensure that the most innovative therapies are made available to breast cancer patients in the shortest possible time. Time is, in fact, of the essence when it comes to health and, even more so, in cases where the disease advances becoming metastatic, and acting united in accelerating the pathway to access and treatment must be a priority for everyone, and in particular for those who have taken part in this very important eventè. He concludes, “Combining therapeutic innovation with an ongoing dialogue with our stakeholders is part of our DNA and our vision, and that is why we have taken the lead in this important event to shine a spotlight on the near future ‘.
– Diessecom press office photo –
(ITALPRESS).
