The ASCO, the largest oncology congress in the world, took place in Chicago from May 30 to June 03 of this year, and the CURA Project Institute was present, through the presentation of the work “Oncology patients' view of clinical research in Brazil: concerns, knowledge and prejudices - a national survey” in which results were demonstrated on the interview conducted with about 300 cancer patients, including clinical research participants. This survey was conducted by the Oncologist and President of the Scientific Committee of the Cura Project Institute, Dr. Heloisa Resende, in partnership between Cura and LACOG.

Here we share a vision about studies that we believe will bring great benefits to our patients:

CHALLENGE Study

Presented by Dr. Christhopher Booth, who evaluated the impact of physical activity on patients who underwent chemotherapy after surgical and chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer, it was one of the most applauded at ASCO.

In this study, patients were randomized (randomly separated into 2 groups), in which one group received a well-structured physical activity program by specialized professionals and the other group was observed.

At the end of the follow-up period, a significant reduction in the risk of death was demonstrated for the group that received the physical exercise program, this gain being greater even than some chemotherapy regimens

This study has already been published in the journal NEJM, on June 1, 2025, one of the most prestigious journals in the world.

The need for each of us health professionals to encourage the practice of physical activity and the mission of patients to think about and adhere to the proposal, which is proven year after year, as a valuable strategy in the fight against cancer, is demonstrated.

‍

Care and quality of life: study shows safety in the use of estrogen-containing vaginal creams in breast cancer survivors

‍
During the session dedicated to survivor care, an important breakthrough was presented: researchers demonstrated that vaginal creams with low estrogen concentrations can be used safely by patients who have already undergone breast cancer treatment, including those with hormonal tumors, that is, with positive hormone receptors.

This strategy represents a new possibility of care that can make a significant difference in the quality of life of these women, alleviating common adverse effects related to cancer treatment that affect patients' well-being and intimate health.

‍

Advances in the treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer

The treatment of metastatic breast cancer has undergone important transformations, with promising results that directly impact patients' quality of life and survival. Two major innovations have redefined the therapeutic standard for different subtypes of the disease:

Novelty for patients with positive hormone receptors and HER2 negative
For patients with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer, the new standard becomes a combination with three medications: cyclin inhibitor, inavolisib, and fulvestrant.
This change is based on the results of the study INAVO120, which demonstrated a significant increase in survival among patients who received this combination therapy.

New approach for HER2-positive patients
Another important change, which had already been expected, concerns HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. The Study Destiny-Breast09 (DB-09) revealed that the combination of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (TDXD) With pertuzumab is more effective at controlling the disease than the previous regimen, which included trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and chemotherapy.
In addition to greater efficacy, this new combination has the great benefit of delaying chemotherapy for this group of patients.

‍

GBECAM initiative focuses on caring for cancer survivors

And we couldn't fail to mention a very important initiative of the Oncoclinics group, led by Dr. Luciana Landeiro, president of GBECAM and one of the winners of previous editions, of the Renata Thormann Procianoy award, and Dr. Thaiana Santana, of the GBECAM Patient Support Committee.

The researchers presented a study that implements individualized care strategies for cancer survivors, especially in the post-chemotherapy phase. The focus is on physical and emotional support, with management of the possible sequelae left by the treatment.

This successful initiative needs to be replicated elsewhere in the country. To this end, it will be essential to build collaborative strategies between medical researchers from different parts of Brazil. Through cooperation between research groups, it is possible to transform knowledge into action and, more importantly, to bring this care to an increasing number of patients, proposed by the largest oncology congress in the world in 2025.

The CURA Project Institute has supported researchers, helping to raise funds and promote patient awareness campaigns to make this mission of transforming knowledge into action increasingly possible.

Text and collaboration: Dr. Heloisa Resende — Oncologist, Researcher and President of the Scientific Committee of the Cura Project Institute