BENGALURU : Two patients diagnosed with the same type of cancer may respond very differently to the same treatment. Differences in tumour biology, molecular characteristics, disease stage and overall health can influence both treatment choices and outcomes. This makes individualised treatment an increasingly important consideration in modern cancer care.
This was said by some of India’s top oncologists at a a medical conference on ‘Individualized Drug Therapy in Cancer’ organized by Shobha Trust, a Bengaluru-based charitable healthcare and cancer-prevention organisation, in association with Sammprada Hospital, Bengaluru. Convened by Dr. Radheshyam Naik, Founder, Medical Director and Head – Medical Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Sammprada Hospital, the event brought together more than 70 oncologists from different cancer specialities.
As cancer research advances, doctors have access to a wider range of treatment options, including targeted therapies and immunotherapy. However, selecting the appropriate treatment requires more than identifying the organ in which the cancer originates. The tumour’s specific characteristics, its stage, molecular changes, the patient’s general health and previous response to treatment all contribute to clinical decision-making.
Individualised drug therapy seeks to bring these factors together to help doctors determine which treatment is most appropriate for a particular patient. Molecular testing and advances in the understanding of tumour biology can help identify potential treatment options for certain cancers. However, not every therapy is suitable for every patient, underlining the importance of evidence-based decisions and careful clinical evaluation, the doctors said at the conference.
Dr. Radheshyam Naik said,
“Treating cancer is never just about treating the disease; it is also about understanding the person living with it. Two patients may have the same diagnosis but differ in how their cancer behaves and how they respond to treatment. Our responsibility as doctors is to understand these differences and choose a treatment that is appropriate for the individual patient.
We now have a better understanding of the biology of many cancers, opening new possibilities for treatment. But newer treatments are not automatically the right treatments for everyone. Decisions must be guided by sound medical evidence, the patient’s condition and a careful assessment of the likely benefits and risks. Ultimately, our aim is to control the disease while preserving the patient’s quality of life as far as possible.”
Dr. Ganesh Naik, Professor and Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, St. John’s Medical College Hospital, said,
“Personalised cancer treatment is about making informed decisions based on the specific characteristics of the disease and the needs of the patient. Advances in molecular diagnostics and biomarker testing are helping oncologists identify patients who may benefit from particular targeted therapies or immunotherapies. However, these technologies must be used judiciously, with treatment decisions grounded in clinical evidence and the patient’s overall condition. The goal is to ensure that every patient receives the most appropriate treatment, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach to cancer care.”
The conference featured expert presentations and panel discussions across several cancer specialities, including haematology, breast cancer, lung cancer, gynaecological oncology and gastrointestinal oncology. Discussions covered evolving treatment approaches, biomarker testing, immunotherapy and emerging evidence in cancer management.
Through the initiative, Shobha Trust and Sammprada Hospital sought to highlight the importance of informed, evidence-based treatment decisions that consider not only the cancer but also the individual living with it. As treatment options continue to expand, the challenge for clinicians remains to identify the right approach for the right patient, balancing the potential benefits of treatment with its risks and impact on quality of life, according to Dr. Radheshyam Naik.
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