Dr Ahluwalia on the Evolution of Precision Medicine in Oncology

“I could not be more thrilled about the remarkable pace of transformative changes that we are collectively making in oncology. We are living in the best era of mankind, where we have artificial intelligence, which can help us with finding better information with the genomic testing that we offer to all of our patients who come to see us at Miami Cancer Institute.”

Manmeet Singh Ahluwalia, MD, MBA, FASCO, chief scientific officer, chief, medical oncology, deputy director, Fernandez Family Endowed Chair in Cancer Research, Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, discusses advances in oncology research and patient care across cancer types that were highlighted at the Third Annual Miami Cancer Institute Precision Oncology Symposium.

The field of oncology is undergoing a rapid and transformative evolution, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, genomic testing, and precision medicine, Ahluwalia begins. At Miami Cancer Institute, a multidisciplinary cancer management approach ensures patients receive individualized treatment strategies based on the latest scientific insights, he says. Meetings such as the Miami Cancer Institute Precision Oncology Symposium serve as crucial platforms for disseminating groundbreaking information, allowing for the continuous refinement of treatment protocols, he explains.

Significant progress has been made across multiple oncology specialties, with stage IV lung cancer serving as a prime example, according to Ahluwalia. Approximately 2 decades ago, the median overall survival (OS) for these patients was approximately 12 months, and the 5-year OS rate was approximately 5%, he notes. Now, however, the median OS in this population has extended to approximately 2.5 years, with 5-year survival rates reaching approximately 20%, he reports.

Miami Cancer Institute places a strong emphasis on remaining at the forefront of scientific and clinical advancements, Ahluwalia states. Strategic partnerships with institutions like Florida International University facilitate translational research, bridging the gap between bench discoveries and bedside applications, he says. Additionally, collaborations with leading cancer centers worldwide foster valuable exchanges of expertise and novel therapeutic strategies, he concludes.