Article III of the Charter states:
The parties undertake a vigorous commitment to create an optimal environment for anti-cancer research innovation.
- Knowledge of the biology of cancer and the fundamental mechanisms by which cancers emerge and progress is the origin of all advances that have increased and will further increase the rate of cure and the quality of life of million of people worldwide. The identification of new targets for detection, diagnosis and treatment must accelerate if we are to win the war against cancer.
The parties agree to aggressively build the case for enhanced government and industry funding of basic research, to encourage, protect and incentivize those who innovate, and to increase the means by which scientists may labor in intellectual freedom to constantly advance the frontiers of current knowledge. - Clinical research is the sole means by which basic research becomes meaningful to the lives of human beings. Breakthroughs in molecular biology or genetics can have no impact on cancer preventions, screening, diagnosis and treatment unless they are carefully evaluated and developed in clinical trials.
Research in the clinic also can immediately inform ongoing basic research efforts. This kind of translational research commonly conducted by institutions with both a basic and clinical research capability, rapidly tests hypotheses generate in the laboratory. Immediate feedback from the clinic obtained through translational research can meaningfully redirect basic research efforts and stimulate the generation of important new hypotheses.
Despite its importance, clinical research is significantly challenged not only by a lack of funding, but often by a lack of involvement on the part of healthcare professionals and institutions – and a lack of awareness among patients of the purpose and benefits of participating in clinical studies. Inadequate legal and regulatory harmonization between countries also means that large international clinical trials – the kind that are statistically powerful and can rapidly advance medical practice – can be extremely difficult and costly to conduct.
The parties pledge to elevate awareness and commitment to clinical research among all constituencies they represent and to seize every opportunity to strengthen the international research infrastructure. The parties further pledge to advance universal recognition of informed consent – the process by which patients are fully advised of the purpose, risks, and benefits of any clinical study. In so doing, the parties seek to enable rapid, powerful and inclusive clinical trials that ethnically engaged and also empower people with cancer.
How has anti-cancer research innovation progressed over the last 24 years?
There have been fantastic advancements in precision medicine and genetic testing, leading to more personalized and focused cancer treatments. Projects like the Human Genome Project and the Cancer Genome Atlas Project have been instrumental in finding genetic linkages and variations in cancers and tumors that allow people to develop and implement new treatment plans. Japan, and South Korea have been particularly successful in implementing precision medicine initiatives, and cancer genomics programs to combat cancers.
Over the years, dozens of genes linked to various cancers have been discovered, e.g., BRCA1 and BRAC2. The knowledge that these exist allows people to get tested for them, especially if they have a family history of cancer and helps them create preventative plans or increase the number of screenings they undergo to detect the linked cancers at earlier stages.
The discovery of the connection between certain viruses and cancer has also been key. We now know that both the Epstein-Barr Virus and Human Papilloma Virus are linked to certain types of cancers, and we have developed medicines and vaccines to prevent the spread of these viruses, thus lowering the risk of them causing cancer in humans.
Much research and innovation have gone into creating more effective medicines and treatments like anti-angiogenic medicines, oncolytic viruses, immunotherapies, molecular radiotherapies, better surgeries, targeted therapies, photodynamic therapies, etc. to continue improving patient treatment outcomes.