Published December 10, 2013.
Since its founding in 1964, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has been committed to improving cancer outcomes through research and the delivery of quality care. Research is the bedrock of discovering better treatments—providing hope to the millions of individuals who face a cancer diagnosis each year.
The studies featured in “Clinical Cancer Advances 2013: Annual Report on Progress Against Cancer From the American Society of Clinical Oncology” represent the invaluable contributions of thousands of patients who participate in clinical trials and the scientists who conduct basic and clinical research. The insights described in this report, such as how cancers hide from the immune system and why cancers may become resistant to targeted drugs, enable us to envision a future in which cancer will be even more controllable and preventable.
This year’s report features 76 studies. Many studies highlighted capitalize on our growing understanding of tumor biology and genomics that paves the way to the development of new therapy approaches for treatment-resistant and rare cancers. Marked progress has been achieved in overcoming treatment resistance through precision medicine and immunotherapy. The report also features the year’s most important cancer policy developments and clinical practice guidelines.