Collaboration between Pakistani, Canadian Scientists Resulting in More Targeted Cancer Treatment
Karachi: Collaboration between Pakistani and Canadian researchers in the field of molecular structure and genetic make-up of tumors is enabling them to come with targeted and most suitable course of cancer treatment, specialists said at an oncology conference on Friday.
They said molecular analysis of brain tissue was revealing the distinctive signature of tumors that were otherwise of a similar type and stage. They added that a partnership between Pakistani and Canadian researchers was resulting in the transfer of knowledge and skills stemming from this novel research.
The specialists were speaking at 3rd Annual Surgical Conference on ‘Surgical Oncology - Evidence and Practice’ at the Aga Khan University.
Researchers at Aga Khan University are currently working with groups on the tumor boards of the Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, Canada, to explore how these molecular insights can enhance the treatment of complicated cases of brain cancer. “Insights from molecular biology are helping oncologists select the most suitable course of cancer treatment and more accurately predict the response to targeted therapy,” said Dr Shahzad Shamim, an associate professor at the AKU’s department of surgery.
“This will ensure optimal treatment for each tumor and a longer, better quality of life for each patient,” he added. Experts from 14 countries around the world gathered at the two-day multidisciplinary conference to explore the latest developments in cancer surgery, diagnostics, pathology and treatment.
Sessions at the conference also highlighted innovations in reconstructive surgery which were helping restore the function of organs affected by the spread of cancer. Speakers noted that techniques such as intra-operative monitoring enabled surgeons to stimulate parts of the spine to quickly and painlessly detect areas that can be reconstructed. This means that damaged areas of the spine, which were previously deemed too dangerous to operate on can now be mended and rebuilt.
Experts added that similar technological advances in orthopedic surgery meant that high quality implants could be used to replace bones and joints damaged by the spread of cancer, thereby helping preserve essential body functions.
Robot-assisted surgery was another important theme of the conference. While noting that the use of robots in the operating theatre could enhance the precision of surgeries, experts added that the process of learning how to work with technology was typically very demanding in terms of time and difficulty.
“There are about 148,000 new cases of cancer in Pakistan every year,” said Dr Masood Umer, an associate professor in the AKU’s department of surgery and chair of the conference. “Bringing together experts from around the world promotes the sharing of advances across the field of oncology which will boost our chances of detecting the disease in early stages and deliver more effective treatment for cancer patients across the country,” he explained.
The conference’s objectives are in line with global efforts to achieve targets under goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals: ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Target 3.4.1 of the goal calls for special efforts to reduce deaths caused by cancer by a third by 2030.
The 3rd Annual Surgical Meeting was organized in collaboration with the European Society of Surgical Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the International Journal of Surgery. The conference’s inaugural session was preceded by a day of 25 workshops and symposiums at the University’s Center for Innovation in Medical Education. Over 300 participants were in attendance over the two-day event which also saw the launch of a book consisting of 15 unique stories of Pakistani cancer survivors, families and physicians who have battled the disease. – The News
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