Lung cancer, record of cases in Campania
With 112 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants, Campania is the Italian region with the highest incidence of lung cancer. In absolute numbers, approximately 4,100 new diagnoses are expected with a ratio of 3 to 1 (3,000 men and 1,100 women). Lung cancer is in fact the second most frequent malignancy in men and the third in women. The majority of lung cancer cases (85-90%) correspond to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Until about 10 years ago, chemotherapy was the only option available for the treatment of these patients, and unfortunately it was characterized by limited efficacy. In recent years, the therapeutic strategy in patients with advanced NSCLC has changed profoundly. We have in fact witnessed an important therapeutic revolution which is represented by molecularly targeted drugs.
Lung cancer, precision medicine helps
Today about one third of lung cancers can be dealt with precision medicine, that is, going to search for molecular targets for which targeted drugs have been developed. An important opportunity for patients. Using specific drugs has led to a superior efficacy of treatments and a better tolerability to treatments, guaranteeing long life expectancies for a disease that up to 15 years ago had a decidedly poor prognosis. Molecular profiling (the analysis aimed at identifying the alterations on the tumor tissue by creating a real identity card of the tumor) is fundamental both as regards the diagnosis and for the development of personalized and increasingly effective treatments. Collect data on known and lesser known molecular alterations and develop knowledge in this area therefore it represents a crucial element, especially in a neoplasm with such a high incidence, such as the pulmonary one.
Lung cancer, Atlas first database nationwide
The Atlas platform, created by Medica Publishing and Scientific Diffusion with the patronage of WALCE Onlus, it is the first database at national level that has the objective of reconstructing the photograph of the prevalence of lung cancer mutations where the presence of DNA alterations makes the patient suitable for treatment with molecularly targeted drugs. “A platform like Atlas allows to the clinician, pathologist and molecular biologist to have access to aggregate information provided by other Italian centers quickly and easily ”he explains Giancarlo Troncone, full professor of Pathological Anatomy at the University of Naples Federico II, on the scientific board of the project. Facilitating access to this mass of systematized information represents a concrete benefit not only for clinicians, who can understand the clinical value of each individual mutation, but also for patients, who, regardless of where they live and are treated, can have access to innovative and highly effective therapies.
Lung Cancer, Atlas Complete with Clinical Information
Many molecular alterations that are identified today and that will be described in the near future will be rare in percentage terms. Precisely on these less frequent alterations it is very important that those who make the diagnosis and those who prescribe the therapy can compare themselves with other centers and can do it quickly and easily. “Our database also provides clinical information associated with specific mutations and allows the doctor to direct the patient towards trials suitable for that type of tumor – underlines Troncone – and this is a concrete benefit for patients”. Today they are more than 3,500 data entered into the platform deriving from the first 7 cancer centers, including the Department of Public Health of the University of Naples Federico II. By the end of the year, the centers will increase to more than 20, ensuring good coverage of the national territory. “Ours is an inclusive project and anyone who wants to join is welcome. In this way we are trying to fill a knowledge gap at the national level. In other European countries, such as France, databases similar to ours are active which also allow us to understand how widespread genomic profiling techniques are. Since, on the other hand, we do not yet have in Italy ”, continues Troncone.
Lung cancer, Atlas has an important research value
The platform therefore has an important research value and has already led to scientific publications in indexed journals. “Our system was developed following the international nomenclature criteria therefore the data can be compared with those of other nations for scientific purposes, always respecting the privacy of patients. Some of the mutations are rare and only by reaching a significant number of cases can we obtain relevant indications ”explains Umberto Malapelle, head of the predictive molecular pathology laboratory of the Federico II University of Naples and member of the scientific board of Atlas. Today the platform deals with lung cancer, but the goal is to expand and collect data on other solid tumors. Atlas’s ambition is in fact to be able to make a difference in any case in which the presence of DNA alterations makes the patient eligible for treatment with molecularly targeted drugs.