Opinion

Olubukola Ayodele: The advent of targeted therapies has revolutionized oncology

Olubukola Ayodele/LinkedIn

Dec 11, 2024, 16:50

Olubukola Ayodele: The advent of targeted therapies has revolutionized oncology

Olubukola Ayodele, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“The advent of targeted therapies has revolutionized oncology by providing a more precise approach to cancer treatment. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which indiscriminately kills rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapies focus on specific molecular pathways or genetic mutations that drive cancer growth.

This shift necessitates a reevaluation of dose optimization strategies to balance efficacy and safety while considering the unique properties of these treatments.

I was particularly pleased to see this highlighted at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, as it aligns with the work I have been discussing and the project I am currently directing.

The dose-response relationships for targeted agents can differ significantly from those of traditional chemotherapies. Increasing doses beyond a certain threshold does not enhance efficacy but can worsen toxicity. Many targeted therapies are intended for long-term use, unlike chemotherapy, which is often administered in cycles.

Therefore, dose optimization must take cumulative toxicity and patient quality of life into account over time. Additionally, pharmacogenomics plays a role, as dosing must be tailored to each individual’s metabolism.

Targeted therapies can be costly, so dose optimization must balance the need for effective treatment with the financial implications for patients and healthcare systems.

Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that dose reductions do not adversely impact efficacy, yet there are notable differences in toxicity profiles among patients.

The session at SABCS focused on improving dose optimization, including regimen optimization. We are aware that there are instances where we may be over-treating patients, which has been identified as a concern with the Keynote 522 regimen.

As researchers, we need to better design clinical trials with these newer concepts in mind. We owe it to the patients who participate in these trials not to compromise their quality of life.”

Olubukola Ayodele: The advent of targeted therapies has revolutionized oncology

Dr. Olubukola Ayodele is a Consultant Medical Oncologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, specializing in breast and genitourinary malignancies, including germ cell tumors. She is also an honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Leicester and heads the Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Unit at the Leicester Cancer Research Centre. Dr. Ayodele’s work includes numerous publications, clinical trials, and collaborative research projects on molecular drivers and biomarkers in breast cancer. She is a member of ASCO, ESMO, ACP and UKBCG.