Hosted by Sammprada Hospital in association with SHOBHA Trust, the day-long programme brought together leading oncologists from Bengaluru to discuss breakthroughs across lung, breast, GI, and GU cancers
Top oncologists recently participated at the recently held CME on newer advances in oncology. The event was curated by Dr Radheshyam Naik, Head - Medical Oncology, Hematology & Bone Marrow Transplantation at Sammprada Hospital, Bengaluru. Hosted by Sammprada Hospital in association with SHOBHA Trust, the day-long programme brought together leading oncologists from Bengaluru to discuss breakthroughs across lung, breast, GI, and GU cancers, along with sessions on genomics, predictive analytics, and real-world evidence in cancer care.
Dr Radheshyam Naik said, “Genomics and proteomics are the two biggest breakthroughs in the field of oncology. The former is enabling oncologists to pinpoint and individualise cancer therapy and minimise unnecessary toxic therapies. Proteomics is playing a major role in advancing cancer therapy by looking beyond genes and focusing on proteins. Immunotherapy and antibody drug conjugates are the next big breakthrough expected in the next one decade. Introduction of artificial intelligence in oncology can also be a game-changer. It can store and analyse a large amount of data. It is likely to do a better individualisation of treatment and be less error-prone than the present oncology practices.”
Dr Ganesh Naik, Consultant Medical Oncologist, St John’s Medical College and Hospital, noted that the past two decades have seen revolutionary innovations in cancer care. “Targeted therapies have brought precision by exploiting tumor biology. Immunotherapy has transformed outcomes in lung cancer, skin cancer, etc. Advances in molecular diagnostics, liquid biopsy, and next-generation sequencing now allow real-time personalization,” he said.
Dr Hasib Abdul Gaffor, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, HCG Hospital, Bengaluru, radiation oncology plays a vital role in cancer care, with nearly 60 per cent of patients requiring it at some stage of treatment. “Thanks to rapid advances in technology and a deeper understanding of cancer biology, radiation therapy today is far more precise, effective, and safer. Modern techniques such as image-guided and intensity-modulated radiotherapy allow doctors to target tumors with high accuracy, minimise side effects, and significantly improve patients’ quality of life,” he said.
Said Dr Vinod K Ramani, Consultant Preventive oncologist, Bengaluru, said that the way cancers are appearing today is changing. “We are seeing more cases of gastrointestinal cancers, different patterns in lung cancers, aggressive breast cancers in young women, and even cancers in people who otherwise appear healthy. This makes regular screening for common cancers very important. In India, certain risk factors stand out — infections, rising air pollution, and lifestyle changes. Pesticide contamination in food and water, unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, and stress are also emerging as new contributors that, together, increase cancer risk,” he added.
