Exploring the Most Significant Milestones in Cancer Research: From Discovery to Breakthroughs

This blog will focus on significant milestones in cancer research and discovery. The timeline covers the early 2000s to present day. Let us now sit back and enjoy the show.

2003 - NCI-Sponsored Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial

The drug finasteride, lowers a man's risk of prostate cancer by about 25%

2006 - NCI's Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene

By taking antiestrogen drug raloxifene, postmenopausal woman can reduce their risk of developing breast cancer

2006 - Gardasil

First vaccine approved to prevent cervical cancer. Protects against two HPV types that causes 70% of all cases of cervical cancer

2009 Cervarix

The FDA has granted approval for Cervarix, a second vaccine designed to safeguard against infection by the two HPV types responsible for around 70% of cervical cancer cases globally

2010 The First Human Cancer Treatment Vaccine

FDA approves sipuleucel-T for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer

First and only human cancer treatment vaccine to be approved

2011 Ipilimumab

Ipilimumab is a monoclonal antibody that removes a "brake" that controls the intensity of immune responses. Used to treat inoperable or metastatic melanoma

2013 Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1)

FDA approves ado-trastuzumab emtansine for treatment against HER2-positive breast cancer. T-DM1 is an immunotoxin that is made by linking trastuzumab to mertansine

2014 Analyzing DNA in Cancer

The Cancer Genome Atlas project found that gastric cancer is 4 different diseases, instead of one. Led to a new classification system for cancer

2014 Pembrolizumab

Pembrolizumab can be used to treat advanced melanoma. This antibody blocks the activity of the PD1 protein, increasing strength of immune responses against cancer

2016 Cancer Moonshot

Congress passes the 21st Century Cures Act, providing funding for the Cancer Moonshot, a program to accelerate cancer research

2017 Pediatric MATCH

Pediatric MATCH is an effort to extent molecular analysis and targeted treatment to children and young teens with cancer

2017 Genomic Profiling Tests

The FDA has cleared two tumor testing products for identifying genetic changes that may render tumors treatable with FDA-approved targeted drugs. In November, the FDA authorized the MSK-IMPACT test from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, analyzing 468 cancer-related genes. In December, the FDA approved the FoundationOne CDx test, evaluating 324 genes linked to cancer growth, and serving as a companion diagnostic for FDA-approved drugs across five common cancer types.

2018 Larotrectinib

Larotrectnib is the first drug that targets tumors wit NTRK gene fusions

Second drug approved to treat cancer with specific molecular features

2020 International Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes

An international research consortium examined over 2,600 whole genomes from 38 cancer types and corresponding normal tissues, revealing common molecular patterns in cancer development, growth, and spread. The Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes study expanded genomic analyses beyond protein-coding regions to encompass the entire genetic makeup of cells, providing comprehensive insights into the complex role of genomic changes in cancer.

References:

https://www.cancer.gov/research/progress/250-years-milestones