Cancer, a word capable of striking fear in even the strongest of hearts, is a malignancy characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells which, if not checked, can lead to death. According to the American Cancer Society, there are more than 100 types of cancer including breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and blood cancer.

Unfortunately, the prevalence of the disease is increasing due to a variety of factors – obesity, tobacco, infections, unhealthy diets, genetic mutations, hormones and immune conditions. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 589,430 cancer deaths in the U.S. this year or 1,620 people every day.

A major global health burden, cancer touches every region and strata of society. According to the American Cancer Society, about 14.1 million cancer cases (with 8.2 million deaths) were diagnosed in 2012 across the world and the rate of growth is alarming with 21.7 million new cancer cases (with 13 million deaths) expected in 2030.

Low- and middle-income countries are among the worst afflicted given the lack of medical resources and supportive health systems.

Improving Survival Rates

According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers diagnosed in 2004-2010 increased to 68% from 49% in 1975-1977. Factors like increasing awareness, earlier diagnosis and better treatments have helped improve these numbers.

Both biotech and pharma companies are intensely focused on bringing new cancer treatments to market and are striving to develop drugs that will change the treatment paradigm.

While traditional treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, more recent treatments include vaccines, immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Cancer immunotherapy or immuno-oncology is a hot therapeutic area that has been garnering a lot of interest and activity from both large as well as small/mid-sized pharma and biotech companies. These treatments hold huge commercial potential and have the ability to change the treatment paradigm.