Update on the latest innovation in immuno-oncology for Belgian cancer patients
Brussels, 1 March 2024 - During an informative session organized by Bristol Myers Squibb, a multidisciplinary panel of experts discussed the evolution of cancer treatment, the available treatment options in Belgium, as well as the latest breakthrough in immuno-oncology and its prospect of a better quality of life or increased survivorship for cancer patients. Panel members included Prof. Dr. Bart Neyns, Head of Medical Oncology at UZ Brussels, Luc Vautmans, co-founder and board member of Melanoompunt, Christine Biebuyck, board member of Prolong, and Dr. Paul Lacante, Medical Director at Bristol Myers Squibb Benelux & EU Cluster. Read this summary to discover the most important elements that were discussed.
Breakthrough in immuno-oncology
A breakthrough in cancer treatment is emerging. After the discoveries of Jim Allison (CTLA-4 in 1992) and Tasuku Honjo (anti-PD-1 in 1996), that served as catalysts for the evolution in cancer treatment, another evolution in immuno-oncology is happening that offers additional hope for cancer patients.
Over the years, the quality of life and life expectancy of patients has changed significantly. Immunotherapy and combination therapies in cancer treatment have redefined the overall survival curve for patients with melanoma, kidney and bladder cancer, lung cancer and mesothelioma, lymphoma, head and neck cancer, colon cancer, and stomach and (gastro-)esophageal cancer. These therapies have made long-term survival a possibility in multiple advanced tumor types.
Prof. Dr. Bart Neyns, Head of Medical Oncology at UZ Brussels: “The translation of basic science into effective cancer immunotherapy, by blocking so-called immune checkpoint molecules at the surface of immune and cancer cells, has led to a new therapeutic dimension that only twenty years ago we could not have imagined. And we have certainly not explored all the possible benefit that immunotherapy can bring for cancer patients.”
Before the introduction of immunotherapy, cancer patients could rely on surgery, radiotherapy, cytotoxic treatments, chemotherapy, hormone therapies and targeted therapeutic treatments. Immunotherapy is one of the treatments that has changed the treatment paradigm for cancer fundamentally with the goal of achieving an immune response against the tumor and the generation of immunological memory.
Cancer in Belgium: increase in number of cases, but also in survivorship
Cancer is still the number one cause of death in Belgium, followed by cardiovascular diseases.1Everyone can get cancer, but in fact, cancer is an age-related disease. The older we are, the more likely we are to develop cancer. Influenced by today’s increased life expectancy and Western lifestyle, diagnosis rates are growing. Currently, 75,000 new cancer diagnoses are registered every year in our country, and The Belgian Cancer Registry expects this number to amount to 83,500 yearly new cases by 20302.
The most common types of cancer in Belgium are breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer and melanoma3. Important progress has been made, but the fight against cancer remains challenging.
Positive evolution of survival rates in melanoma comes along with other challenges
Melanoma, a malicious type of skin cancer, is the 5th most common type of cancer in Belgium with 4.163 new diagnoses in 20224. It is more common in women (2,356 new cases in 2022) than in men (1,807 new cases in 2022).5 Survival expectations for patients with advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma have evolved tremendously in the last decade. 10 years ago, patients diagnosed with advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma had a very poor prognosis and available treatments offered little hope. Today, long-term survival has become a possibility for them.
Nevertheless, increased survivorship in melanoma comes along with other challenges. Luc Vautmans, co-founder and board member of Melanoompunt: “Stress and anxiety towards or during medical imaging is very common amongst cancer patients and causes them to experience alternating periods of distress and relief. This is what we call ‘scanxiety’, a heavy psychologic burden to cope with – not only for patients but also for their loved ones.”
Never before, stress and anxiety in patients and those close to them have been investigated. To gain more insight into the impact of ‘scanxiety’ on them, Melanoompunt, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital have initiated a research project. The research team has already collected data on the impact of ‘scanxiety’ on the social, physical, and psychological well-being before, during and after medical check-ups, both in patients and their loved ones. As a next step, a longitudinal national study will be launched this year to gain insight into the topic on a Belgian level, to then ultimately identify individual needs and develop support initiatives together with patients, loved ones and healthcare providers to reduce fear and anxiety throughout the journey.
Heavy stigma: 30% of Belgians think lung cancer is (partly) patient’s own fault
Lung cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in Belgium, with 8,636 new diagnoses in 20226. Due to its low survival rates, it is also one of the deadliest cancer types. Lung cancer is more common in Belgian men (2nd most common cancer with 5,469 new cases in 2022) than in women (3rd most common with 3,167 new cases in 2022)7.
Research ordered by Prolong, an association by and for people with lung cancer or mesothelioma and their loved ones, has shown that lung cancer patients are often stigmatized. In fact, 30% of Belgians admit that they think getting lung cancer is (partly) the patient’s own fault. It is true that smoking is a major factor that is often linked to lung cancer, but there are many other possible causes for lung cancer too. In addition, about 67% of Belgians do not know how to react when someone close to them is faced with a lung cancer diagnosis. Consequently, 1 in 2 people do or say nothing8. Yet, it is invaluable to offer support and 'be there' for the person concerned.
Christine Biebuyck, board member of Prolong: “Anybody can get lung cancer, but nobody starts smoking with the intention to get lung cancer. These patients need to be supported, not judged. Through our initiative, we aim to take lung cancer and mesothelioma out of the taboo and bring it to the attention of the general public.”
Indeed, the research also shows that overall awareness about lung cancer in Belgium can be improved. Almost 2 in 3 Belgians (64%) know that lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancer types. Nevertheless, no less than 41% of Belgians do not know that (in some cases) lung cancer can be stabilized9 for a long time. Amongst others patient organisations play an important role in providing clear and trustworthy information and offering patients a community where they can connect with others.
Investment in R&D crucial for future of cancer treatment
Immunotherapy has fundamentally changed cancer treatment. Patients that previously had little hope for a better life are now in remission and surviving in the long term. Unfortunately, not all patients are benefiting from immunotherapy. Then again, the discovery and development of new treatments require considerable investments whilst there is only a small chance a medical innovation can be concretized: only 1 out of 10,000 molecules discovered is eventually commercialized and accessible to patients.10
That’s why the biopharmaceutical industry continues to invest in cancer research. Belgium is a pioneer in the field: 1 out of 5 cancer research projects conducted in Europe in 2022, took place in Belgium11. In 2022, the Belgian healthcare industry invested € 15 million per day in research and development, amounting to a total investment of the industry of € 5.7 billion in 202312. According to the European R&D Dashboard 2023, worldwide, 78.4% of all R&D investment in 2022 (€ 934 billion) was realized by four key sectors, healthcare being ranked second. Bristol Myers Squibb, a leading biopharmaceutical company, is ranked 15th in the top 50 investors in R&D13.
Paul Lacante, Medical Director at Bristol Myers Squibb Benelux & EU Cluster: “Because cancer is incredibly complex, we have not yet met the needs of all people living with cancer. Thanks to our pioneering work in immuno-oncology, we made long-term survival a possibility in multiple advanced tumor types. We are committed to pursuing the best science and leveraging strategic collaborations with the smartest minds in the oncology community to help us maximize the impact on the lives of people with cancer today and in the future.”
Maxence Paternotte
Amélie Scheepers
NO-BE-2400044
1 Stichting tegen Kanker, Belgische Kankerbarometer 2022.
2 https://kankerregister.org/default.aspx?PageId=344 & Cancer Fact Sheets, Registre du Cancer, Année d'incidence 2021, Bruxelles 2023, België, 2012-2016. Belgian Cancer Registry, Brussels. & Statbel (Algemene Directie Statistiek - Statistics Belgium).
3 Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed 06 February 2024.
4 Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed 06 February 2024.
5 Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed 06 February 2024.
6 Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed 06 February 2024.
7 Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Laversanne M, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2024). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/today, accessed 06 February 2024.
8 https://campaign-nl.prolong.be/stigma
9 https://campaign-nl.prolong.be/stigma
10 EFPIA development of medicines, https://www.efpia.eu/about-medicines/development-of-medicines/.
11 Persbericht pharma.be, https://pharma.be/nl/media/nieuws/nood-aan-een-nieuw-kankerplan-voor-belgie.
12 Persbericht pharma.be, https://pharma.be/nl/media/nieuws/nood-aan-een-nieuw-kankerplan-voor-belgie.
13 Nindl, E., Confraria, H., Rentocchini, F., Napolitano, L., Georgakaki, A., Ince, E., Fako, P., Tuebke, A., Gavigan, J., Hernandez Guevara, H., Pinero Mira, P., Rueda Cantuche, J., Banacloche Sanchez, S., De Prato, G. and Calza, E., The 2023 EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2023, doi:10.2760/506189, JRC135576.