First CCBIO book release
The ethics, economics and ELSA research groups of CCBIO are coordinating听their research activities ever more. In April they听published their first听joint book volume "Cancer Biomarkers: Ethics, Economics and Society".
Main content
Shared Platform for Ethics, Economics and ELSA groups
A shared platform for CCBIO麓s research in ethics, economics and ELSA topics has recently been established. A core听element in the transformation of cancer medicine into precision medicine听is that individuals rather than groups become the unit of analysis. By听joining forces听they听will be able to understand better the implications and听preconditions of this transformation in terms of ethical considerations,听market mechanisms, scientific development and the political economy of听cancer research.
The promise of cancer biomarkers
Cancer care is undergoing a shift from a 鈥榦ne-size-fits all鈥� approach to more personalised medicine. One way of personalising cancer treatments is through biomarkers: molecules or biochemical changes found in the听patient鈥檚 tissues and body fluids.
This book reflects upon the promise of cancer biomarkers and asks听questions such as: How may the complexity of cancer biology impede the听robustness of biomarkers in the clinic? How should one draw the line听between the various sub-groups of patients for personalised treatment?听How can one evaluate the cost-effectiveness and fairness of personalised听cancer treatments? By bringing together authors from the fields of听science and technology studies, medical ethics and philosophy, health听economics and oncology, the book aims to give a critical yet accessible听overview of some of the key social, ethical and economic issues that听surround cancer biomarkers.
Stimulating our reflections
CCBIO Director Lars A. Akslen comments about the book:
"In this book, important topics surrounding the medical part of biomarker research are presented and discussed. Key questions are asked and reflected upon: What is a good (enough) biomarker ? How should we prioritize in modern cancer treatment? Can biomarkers make a real difference? How can biomarkers change and improve the cost structure when using very expensive drugs and when only a few patients respond to the treatment? How can we deal with big data profiles for individual patients 听- 听such as patterns of genetic alterations or functional protein signatures ?
Hopefully, these thoughtful chapters can stimulate our reflections on how we design and perform biomarker research. 听On top of basic and clinical projects, we have realized that bringing in these additional topics have intensified our reflection on own activities. This goes to the core of the RRI-concept, i.e. to perform responsible research and innovation."
叠谤耻肠别听窜别迟迟别谤, Charles Nowiszewski Professor of Cancer Biology in the听Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, comments:听
"The book should be required reading for oncologists, medical students,听graduate students and especially for those who make policy decisions听regarding the use and reimbursement of cancer biomarkers."
Our congratulations to the editors Roger Strand and Anne Blanchard!
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