It is still difficult for many people to understand the concept of a vaccine, how it works and its importance. However, in a simple way, the vaccine can be understood as a “preventive remedy”, so its function is prophylactic, that is, the vaccine makes the recipient's body resistant to a certain disease, which prevents its onset and subsequent spread in the population. The importance of getting vaccinated lies precisely at that point. When we get vaccinated we're not only protecting ourselves, but also our family, friends, and even those we don't know.
The first vaccine appeared in 1798 and was developed through the observations and studies of Edward Jenner. The English scientist identified that some workers were not infected with smallpox because they had already been infected with bovine smallpox, a milder type of disease. Based on this framework, Jenner understood that the biological substances that cause diseases, when introduced into patients in an attenuated or inactive form, could stimulate the immune system to recognize the bacteria or virus and produce antibodies against the disease. In this case, the vaccine would ensure that the patient's body develops defenses so that, in the case of coming into contact with the cause of the pathology, it can combat it.
Over the years, vaccines have undergone improvements and new discoveries have been made, but his idea remains the same as that discovered by Edward Jenner. Therefore, most vaccines still act on the body today simulating the effect of when we come into contact with an infectious agent and, as a consequence, our immune system creates antibodies to protect us from it. However, with the vaccine there is no need to suffer from the disease to become resistant to it. Vaccination stimulates the body's defenses against a certain disease without the individual having to become ill.
Among the serious diseases that vaccines have the power to protect us, is cancer. The HPV vaccine can prevent the onset of penile cancers, throat and anus in boys and cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers, in addition to precancerous lesions, genital warts, and HPV infections in girls. The vaccine can be taken free of charge at the SUS, however, due to misinformation, many fail to vaccinate their children, since they associate the vaccine with encouraging early sexual initiation, since the HPV vaccine prevents the virus from being transmitted through sexual intercourse and is applied to children between girls between 9 and 14 years old and boys aged 11 to 14. Because of this, The numbers of the disease have been increasing over the years. However, this age group was chosen because of the high exposure to antibodies and the lower probability of having sexual contact with the virus.
Also in November 2020, researchers from the University of Oxford announced that their tests to develop a vaccine against breast cancer triple negative, the most serious, was 100% effective when tested on mice. The vaccine has been developed since 2009 and, like all the others, has years of studies until it is applied to the population. However, in times of crisis, such as the spread of COVID-19 in the population, research and tests are duplicated and international collaboration between researchers is intensified in order to find a Coronavirus vaccine with speed and efficiency. Even so, the vaccines are produced in the laboratory with great technical, scientific and sanitary rigor. It is important to note that there is a great effort by health professionals to ensure that vaccines do not present side effects or, if there are effects, are as mild as possible. In addition, dense research is also carried out so that vaccines do not cause the diseases they want to combat.
Another important detail is that vaccines are not always produced with the biological agents that cause the diseases. Therefore, vaccines can be composed of Toxins from the invading organism, as in the vaccine against Tetanus; of the pathological agent in an attenuated state, as in the vaccine against Measles; or inactive, as in the vaccine against HPV and BCG. There are also vaccines that are composed of the antibodies that fight the disease and not its causative agent, such as the Hepatitis B vaccine.
Finally, vaccines prevent and save lives. But to do this, attention must be paid to the vaccination schedule and to the booster doses so that diseases that have already been eradicated do not claim victims again. In this way, it is possible to understand why the vaccine is a collective pact for health, since it is a disease prevention measure that depends on the collaboration of each of the citizens.
Text by Letícia Barbosa
Research is scientific studies, guided by methods, that contribute to the deepening and discovery of new knowledge in all fields of knowledge. Thus, there is research in the human area, which helps us understand society; in the exact area, which makes clear the physical laws that govern our world and collaborate with the creation of new technological resources; and there is research in the area of health, some of which is known as clinical research.
As clinical research, clinical trials or clinical studies are important studies carried out by the most diverse branches of the health area, as they aim to discover new medications, learn details of diseases, establish new treatments and provide quality of life for the patient. To be put into practice, all clinical research is evaluated by a Research Ethics Committee, which guarantees the safety and well-being of the patients who are collaborating with the study.
It was through clinical research that medications and medical treatments, from the simplest to the most complex, were developed and today they help the lives of thousands of patients. A great example of the importance of clinical research is the evolution of cancer treatment over the past 50 years. The disease, which was considered a sentence of death and suffering, now presents new perspectives and great chances of curing more and more patients and, above all, improving their quality of life. Therefore, such studies are extremely important for cancer patients, since many of them have forms of the disease that still have no cure.
Thus, clinical research can save lives. Because of the diverse professionals who study and discover new medications, diseases are combated and the quality of life of those undergoing treatment is greatly improved. Therefore, research, for cancer patients who do not respond to conventional treatments, may be a chance for treatment and cure. Another benefit of clinical research is that it can help patients who do not have access to private medicine, as they may have innovative treatments through clinical studies.
Did you understand the importance of clinical research? Now how about collaborating with studies that investigate the cure of cancer through a donation to the Cura Project Institute? It's easy! Click here and do your collaboration.
Text by Letícia Barbosa
Now you can also make your donation to the Cura Project Institute securely and instantly using Pix.
Just enter the CNPJ as a key at the Cura Project Institute: CNPJ: 33.188.607/0001-04
Pix is the newest payment system launched in Brazil, through which individuals and companies can transfer amounts only by indicating the key of the recipient of the resource, and it is no longer necessary to provide information such as account number, full name, and others. The key options are CPF, email, telephone, or a random key. For companies, it is possible to use the CNPJ instead of the CPF, as we do here at Cura.
This payment method allows transactions of any amount, 24 hours a day, every day of the week (including holidays). The amount is received by the recipient within 10 seconds.
Already available on the apps and internet banking of most banks, there is no cost to use this feature.
Make your donation to Cura now!
Crowdfunding was supported by oncologists from all over Brazil, who mobilized more than 300 donors.
Crowdfunding campaign raised R$ 184 thousand between July and September for investments in scientific research to combat head and neck cancer. “1,000 tests for cancer research” was the motto of the campaign carried out in partnership with the Brazilian Head and Neck Cancer Group - GBCP, and the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group - LACOG, which had a strong digital presence and support from doctors, celebrities, influencers and patients to exceed all expectations.
With the objective of collecting the basic costs of collecting and storing a thousand laboratory tests on blood samples and biopsies from patients, the action exceeded projections and reached 143% of the goal, raising the equivalent of the basic costs of 1,430 laboratory tests.
The result was only possible due to the dedication of GBCP doctors and researchers who, based on an innovative strategy, mobilized 335 donors for the cause. Despite the difficulties caused by Covid-19, more than 7 thousand accesses were generated to the donation page. In addition to raising funds, the initiative sought to raise awareness of the importance of supporting scientific research in Brazil.
According to Dr. Aline Lauda, oncologist, researcher at the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group and president of the Brazilian Head and Neck Cancer Group - GBCP, “a treatment developed in another country is not necessarily appropriate for Brazilian patients. Therefore, it is essential to carry out studies within our reality to accurately answer our particular questions.” According to the researcher, national research also helps to reduce treatment costs in the country.
Head and neck cancer is the third most common cancer in Brazilian men. It is a very debilitating disease, including with devastating aesthetic effects on the eyes, noses, and lips. Because of the difficulties of swallowing, about 60% of patients have some degree of malnutrition upon receiving the diagnosis, since 80% of the cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage.
The Cura Project Institute, a non-profit institution based in Brazil, is the only one in Latin America that is active in planning and carrying out awareness-raising and fundraising actions for research to combat cancer. According to the president of the Institute, Fernanda Schwyter, “Initiatives like this are fundamental to developing the culture of philanthropy in Brazil. This was once the largest fundraising campaign for scientific research in the country. And we're just getting started.”
Promoted by the Cura Project Institute, the workshop”Benefits of Research in Combating Cancer” brought together doctors, cancer patients, NGO leaders and others interested in a virtual and historic moment of knowledge exchange. The workshop was the first on the topic to be held in Latin America and enabled debates about the importance of scientific research in more than 6 hours of events, with more than 200 participants. The initiative, which took place between October 7 and 8, was free and sponsored by Roche.
With a didactic proposal, the workshop included 8 lectures given by the speakers:
On the second day, the lectures were led by:
Renowned professionals were also available to answer questions from the participants. The discussions took place in small groups, granting the public direct access to medical coordinators:
During the discussions, we had the support of the Cura moderators: Lisiane Mota, Marie Caponero, Alcina Mara Rodrigues and Fernanda Schwyter.
The workshop became possible due to the availability of the speakers and medical coordinators, who brightened up our event, and the support of the following institutions:
Our thanks also to the more than 20 support professionals who collaborated to carry out the workshop.
Between October 07 and 08, 2020, the Cura Project Institute will promote the 1st Brazilian Workshop - Benefits of Research in the Fight against Cancer. Aimed at leaders of NGOs, support groups and patient associations, the event aims to disseminate content and train about the importance of the benefits of cancer research in the fight against cancer.
The pandemic of the new coronavirus brought to light the importance of scientific research in the fight against pandemic diseases. If we consider the cancer numbers, we can conclude that the world is living with an epidemic of this disease. Studies reveal that 1.7 million cases will be diagnosed in the coming years and more than 1 million cancer deaths will be registered annually, surpassing cardiovascular diseases as the leading cause of death in the population.
Among the main barriers to the development of clinical research in Latin America are the lack of public recognition of its importance, legal and regulatory obstacles in some countries, and, critically, the lack of funding to support research.
The Cura Project Institute is the only institution in Latin America focused on raising awareness and raising resources to finance research in the region.
“Our intention is to make the population aware of the benefits, to demystify prejudices, and to raise funds for scientific research. Science and history show us that research saves lives and generates knowledge about new techniques and treatments. For many people this is the only chance of a cure.
The workshop is an action that seeks to share knowledge, mobilize institutions and engage people in the cause,” explains Fernanda Schwyter, president of Cura. The workshop, sponsored by Roche, will include a program consisting of conferences that will be given by renowned research specialists and doctors, such as doctors, Carlos Barrios, Fábio Franke, Heloisa Resende, Andreia Melo, Liliam Arruda, Jose Marcio de Figueiredo Ferraz, Fernando Maluf, Paulo Fernandes and Juliana Mauri. There will be more than 6 hours of content, delivered over two days, including debates and discussions on the topic. A unique opportunity for a rich exchange of information and knowledge.
Service:
1st Brazilian Workshop Benefits of Cancer Research Online event with free registration October 07 and 08, 2020, starting at 15:00. Registrations via the link: https://forms.gle/W8sK4QW8f9iCEwh69
Scientific research is an important step in the search for better treatments and medications for cancer patients. With that in mind, the Cura Project launches a new initiative to support science, the crowdfunding campaign “1,000 tests for cancer research”, which will support various researches carried out by the Brazilian Head and Neck Cancer Group (GBCP).
The action aims to collect 1,000 laboratory tests to analyze blood or tumor samples in Brazilian research that investigates head and neck cancer. In addition, the campaign also seeks to draw attention to the importance of supporting scientific research carried out in Brazil.
According to Dr. Aline Lauda, an oncologist, researcher at the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group and president of the GBCP, a treatment developed in another country is not necessarily appropriate for Brazilian patients. For this reason, it is essential to carry out studies within our reality to answer our particular questions precisely. According to the oncologist, national research also helps to reduce treatment costs in the country.
The proceeds will go to the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group (LACOG), which in partnership with the Brazilian Head and Neck Cancer Group (GBCP), develops studies that seek more effective treatments and the improvement of the quality of life of cancer patients.
About head and neck cancer
Head and neck cancer is the third most common cancer in Brazilian men. It is a very debilitating disease, including with devastating aesthetic effects on the eyes, noses, and lips. Because of the difficulties in swallowing, about 60% of patients have some degree of malnutrition upon receiving the diagnosis, since 80% of the cases are already diagnosed at an advanced stage. Today, there are more than 600,000 new cases of cancer diagnosed each year in the country.
Learn more and make your donation
To learn more details and support the campaign, interested parties can access the Benfeitoria platform by clicking here. Donations can be made by credit card or bank slip.
Companies interested in supporting the campaign can contact us at contato@projetocura.org
Make your donation, share, tell your friends and family! We need to build a culture of support for scientific research in Brazil.
To facilitate the receipt of recurring donations, the Cura Project Institute provides a tool (PayPal) that can be used by donors in Brazil as well as abroad. Through the system, people can schedule themselves so that the donation is debited monthly.
Fundraising is one of the tasks carried out by Cura, whose purpose is to contribute to the conduct of clinical studies in the search for new treatments to combat cancer. The project also raises awareness about the importance of clinical research and the development of the culture of philanthropy in Latin America.
According to data from the National Cancer Institute (INCA), in the 2020-2022 triennial period, Brazil will have 625,000 new cases of cancer each year. The most incidents will be breast and prostate (66,000 each), colon and rectum (41,000), lungs (30,000) and stomach (21,000), with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer (177,000 new cases).
Head and neck cancer, which will soon be the target of a Cura campaign, registers 1.3 million new cases worldwide each year. In Brazil, it is the third most common tumor in men (mouth and larynx) and the fifth in women (thyroid).
In this scenario, every penny donated is important for the discovery of new treatments. According to the president of Cura, Fernanda Schwyter, “in Brazil, much progress is needed to achieve international standards in the development of clinical research”.
Fernanda explains that participating in a clinical trial may be the only chance of life for many patients who do not find satisfactory results with conventional treatments.
Resources received by Cura, through donations, have already supported the initiation of breast cancer and prostate cancer research, coordinated by LACOG (Latin American Oncology Group).
Oncologist Dr. Fernando Maluf is the winner of the Renata Thormann Procianoy award, awarded by the Cura Project Institute to honor Brazilian scientific researchers who have contributed to the improvement of treatments and patient survival.
The award was announced this Tuesday (9) during the Best Of ASCO20 Virtual, Brazil edition, an official event licensed by ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology), which annually promotes the largest and most important global Oncology Congress.
Dr. Fernando Maluf is the principal investigator of a 100% Brazilian study on a new drug for advanced prostate cancer. Coordinated by the Latin Oncology Group (LACOG), based in Porto Alegre (RS), the clinical trial involved 14 research centers and several Brazilian oncologists.
The results were presented by the doctor at the plenary session of the American Virtual ASCO20 on May 29 and, this Monday (8), at the Brazilian event. According to him, the work showed very interesting results and managed to reach the podium at the American Oncology Congress. “The unprecedented nature of this research highlights the great importance it can generate for patients from all over the world and that is why this work was selected as one of the most important of the entire conference,” he explains.
The scientific committee responsible for choosing the winner of the Renata Thormann Procianoy prize was chaired by the medical director of the Sírio Libanês hospital and professor of the Academy of Leadership Sciences Switzerland, oncologist Dr. Max Mano.
About the research
Testosterone is the main food of the malignant prostate cancer cell and the standard treatment procedure is hormonal castration — chemical or surgical. However, according to Maluf, “the reduction of testosterone in men leads to a series of side effects: loss of libido, potency, bone and muscle mass and neurological effects, in addition to calories, placing the quality of life at a level that is often very low”.
The study presented at ASCO submitted 128 patients to the use of drugs that prevent testosterone from reaching the cancer cell.
According to the oncologist, “this is the first study in the world to evaluate these new strategies in advanced prostate cancer with the objective of, in a confirmatory study, replacing hormonal castration with these new drugs, preserving the same efficacy but increasing the quality of life”.
The doctor works at the Benedicência Portuguesa Hospital in São Paulo and the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. He is a professor at the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Santa Casa de São Paulo.
Renata Thormann Procianoy Award
This was the second edition of the Renata Thormann Procianoy award. In 2019, the winner was the doctor Thiago Bueno , from the AcCamargo hospital, thanks to work aimed at patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.
Laurea's name It is a tribute to Renata, who died in a car accident in 2013. Renata worked tirelessly searching for research that would help her mother, Nora Thormann, discover a treatment for the cancer she was facing.
The efforts resulted in the inclusion of Nora in research coordinated by doctor Roberto Miranda at the MD Anderson hospital at the University of Texas (USA). After the episode, Nora wanted to contribute to research and promoted a donation to the Cura Project, which was directed to research coordinated by LACOG.
According to the president of Cura, Fernanda Schwyter, “the mission of the Cura Project is to develop the culture of philanthropy in Latin America, to make the population aware of the benefits of research, to encourage new researchers, to attract and manage, with the best ethical rigors, resources to finance oncological research in the region, which contribute to the discovery of a cure for cancer”.
May 20, 2020 — Today is International Clinical Research Day. The date, established to sensitize society about the importance of clinical studies, is celebrated in the face of the most serious health emergency in recent history.
Due to the pandemic of the new coronavirus, there is a global effort at unprecedented speed to discover a vaccine, drugs and diagnostics that help to stop the effects of the pandemic. Science is taking center stage and will certainly emerge stronger from this sad episode.
In Brazil, however, much progress is still needed to achieve international standards in the development of clinical research.
According to the 2019 publication “The importance of Clinical Research for Brazil” by INTERFARMA (Pharmaceutical Research Industry Association), while Brazil is among the top ten positions in the global population, GDP and pharmaceutical market rankings, it ranks 24th in terms of participation in clinical studies, which represents a drop of seven positions in ten years.
The two most researched therapeutic areas in the world, according to the entity, are Oncology and the Central Nervous System (CNS), together representing 42% of all studies initiated in 2018.
According to the director of Lacog (Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group), oncologist Dr. Carlos Barrios, there are around 70,000 experiments underway worldwide with cancer patients, where different treatments are being tested. Around 45% are conducted in the United States, 25% in Europe and only 2% in Latin America.
The oncologist lists several barriers to the development of research in Brazil: insufficient resources, bureaucracy in public agencies, the need for more research centers, and the lack of information from the population about the importance of experiments.
In recent years, there has been greater concern on the part of regulatory and ethical authorities to accelerate the approval time of protocols, so that deadlines in Brazil are more aligned with those in other countries, Barrios points out. Bill 7082/17, which includes new regulations for the area, is also pending before the Chamber of Deputies.
According to the doctor, with Covid-19, Conep (National Research Ethics Commission) has demonstrated that greater agility is possible in issuing opinions. The agency created digital cameras and approved 253 experiments by May 11, in a record period.
Another relevant aspect, in the opinion of the oncologist, is the lack of information. “When people understand the importance of research, they want to participate in the process,” she says.
According to him, only a minority fails to sign the consent form, a document containing information about everything that will occur in the clinical study. “This shows that the informed patient is someone who collaborates because they feel that the process is something positive for them.”
For Dr. Barrios, the Cura Project has a great mission, which is to generate knowledge in society about the importance of research. “May citizens be proud to say that they participated in a research project,” he concludes.
The Cura Project Institute and the Brazilian Institute for Cancer Control (IBCC) signed a partnership to develop actions that promote better care for cancer patients. The agreement between the organizations provides for carrying out activities aimed at patients and the dissemination of the benefits of clinical research, which is often the patient's only chance of a cure.
According to the president of Cura, Fernanda Schwyter, “the partnership with the IBCC is extremely important, considering the relevance of the institute in the treatment of cancer”. Fernanda explains that among the objectives of the cooperation are the holding of workshops for patients, patient associations and the lay public, an opportunity in which interested parties can obtain more in-depth information about neoplasms and everything that involves them.
In addition, the project is aimed at resident doctors and health professionals, who will receive information about clinical research at events organized by Cura. According to Fernanda, “it is important that, from an early age, resident physicians have contact with the world of clinical research and can better guide their future patients on the subject”.
The initiative was only possible thanks to the collaboration of the Clinical Director and medical coordinator of the IBCC Research Center, Dr. Lilian Arruda. The doctor participated in the campaign “The Cure for Cancer Is In Our Hands”, carried out by the Cura Project to raise funds for NeoSamba Research, and led the collection. The clinical study will take place in 12 Brazilian centers, including the IBCC.
“We were very happy to be able to dedicate ourselves to a project that we believe in. We feel obliged to open space and encourage the exchange of reliable information for the population. We hope that, together, we can be a tool for the dissemination of knowledge about clinical research. We embrace Cura,” said the oncologist.
The Cura Project aims to create a culture of philanthropy to capture and manage, with the best ethical rigors, resources to finance cancer research. The IBCC is a network of hospital services specialized in oncology and people with cancer for over 50 years in São Paulo. It is a private, charitable social assistance institution, a pioneer in the fight against breast cancer in Brazil and with assistance to more than 15 oncological specialties. She has been the owner of the campaign “Breast cancer a fashionable target in Brazil” for 25 years.
The winner of the second edition of Renata Thormann Procianoy award will be announced during the Best Of Asco Brazil 2020, held by LACOG - Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group and the Ethics Institute, from June 8 to 11, virtually.
The award was created by the Cura Project Institute to honor and recognize researchers working in the oncology field.
The scientific committee, chaired by the medical director of the Sírio Libanês Hospital and professor of the Academy of Leadership Sciences Switzerland, oncologist Dr. Max Mano, will be responsible for choosing the most prominent Brazilian clinical study in 2020. In addition to Dr. Max Mano, 6 other oncologists are part of the commission.
The president of Cura, Fernanda Schwyter, regrets the impossibility of physically holding the event due to COVID-19, but praises the LACOG initiative to organize the virtual scientific event.
“With the holding of the conference, participants will be able to learn about the innovations in cancer treatments and we will also continue the planning of the Cure Project to praise with a degree the great efforts of a researcher from Brazil in the search for a cure for cancer,” he points out.
The Best Of ASCO, Brazil edition, is an event officially licensed by ASCO - American Society of Clinical Oncology. The meeting will present the most relevant and scientifically important works of the ASCO Annual Meeting. The first edition of the Renata Thormann Procianoy award took place at the 2019 Best of ASCO and the winner was the doctor Dr. Thiago Bueno.
The Cura Project was highlighted in the prestigious magazine BIG Research in Focus (Issue 12 March 2020, page 32), published by the Breast International Group, an entity dedicated to breast cancer research.
The publication reported the participation of the Cura Project in the Ready For Christmas event, held on December 13 in Miami, as part of the Journey Through Brazilian Experience, a cultural activity of the Consulate General of Brazil in Miami, to raise funds for the fight against cancer. At the time, there was a performance by the Venezuelan singer-songwriter Marger, accompanied by the Puerto Rican pianist and conductor José Negroni and his jazz band, nominated 3 times for the Latin Grammy. Read the full story in the Breast International Group magazine on page 32:
On the 8th, the Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology (SBOC) announced and celebrated the rapid approval by the National Research Ethics Committee (CONEP), linked to the Ministry of Health, of the project that will assess the prevalence of infection with the new coronavirus in cancer patients, over 18 years of age, undergoing oncological treatment or follow-up. The initiative, called ONCOVID 19.1 — National Consortium for COVID-19 in Cancer Patients, aims to collect information from the medical records of patients from all regions of the country diagnosed with the coronavirus, in the public and private sectors, to subsidize strategies, protocols, and policies to combat the disease and care among cancer patients. The platform, which can be powered by all SBOC clinical oncologists, through an online questionnaire, is under development. The link to access the research is expected to be available by the beginning of May.CONEPCONEP is the body responsible for the analysis and issuance of opinions on clinical research in Brazil and is directly linked to the National Health Council (CNS). All clinical research protocols are reviewed by the agency. Due to the pandemic, research proposals have been processed urgently, as provided for in resolution no. 580/2018. As of April 10, the commission had already issued 64 scientific research protocols related to the new coronavirus.With information from SBOC and CONEP
The Cura Project Institute donated 20,000 reais to LACOG (Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group), which will support the start of the activities of the third phase of the NeoSamba Study, whose objective is to analyze the sequence of the medication currently used to treat HER2-negative breast cancer, in order to prevent recurrence in the patient. The donation was only possible thanks to the efforts of oncologists and health professionals, who, through their social networks, encouraged donations for research. The winner of the action, developed within the warfare “The Cancer Cure is in our hands”, was the clinical director of IBCC Oncology (Brazilian Institute for Cancer Control), oncologist Lilian Arruda. According to the doctor, only 2% of the research carried out in the world involves the participation of Brazil. Lilian stresses the importance of carrying out more research in the country. “We are the ninth economy in the world, but we ranked 24th in carrying out clinical research,” she laments.NeoSamba SearchPhase 3 of the NeoSamba survey will be conducted at 12 cancer centers, distributed in 8 Brazilian states, with SUS patients. The study's principal investigator is oncologist José Bines. According to the doctor, “there is a lot of work to be done in the diagnosis, treatment, and research to improve breast cancer outcomes in the country.” Phase 2 of the clinical trial, conducted by INCA (National Cancer Institute), investigated 118 patients. At the time, it was evaluated whether the change in the order of drugs in the anthracycline and taxane class would make a difference in women's survival. The study indicated that treating them first with taxane and then with anthracyclines, and not the other way around, as was the previous standard, could bring more significant gains in progression-free survival and, especially, in overall survival. Phase 3 of the research, which is a confirmatory scientific study, will expand the universe of patients studied. “The results of this analysis may redefine the best neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment (performed before surgery) for women with locally advanced breast cancer. The conclusion may have an immediate global impact on the care of women with breast cancer,” concludes the doctor. According to data from INCA for the three-year period 2020-2023, Brazil will have 600,000 new cases of cancer a year. Breast cancer is the most common among women with a forecast of 66,000 new cases annually. It represents almost 1/3 of all tumors in women and this number is greater than the sum of the following 3 tumors: intestine, cervix, and lung.Godparents and bridesmaidsDoctors and health professionals participated in the Cura campaign: Heloisa Rezende, Susana Ramalho, Tomás Reinert, Alessandra Morelle, Eduardo Romero, Flávia dos Santos, Gilberto Amorim, Gustavo Werutsky, José Bines, Monique Bionotto and Vivian Antunes.
The approval in the United States of an innovative treatment for breast cancer has caused great repercussions among oncologists and also among people diagnosed with breast cancer. Several media outlets have highlighted the new drug as a “hope for patients with breast cancer.” The drug in question is trastuzumabe-deruxtecan, also known as DS8201. The study's researchers Destiny1-breast01 announced in December 2019 at the world's largest event on breast cancer, the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS 2019), in Texas, United States, the surprising results of the new drug. “We are truly faced with a revolutionary treatment. The results presented in the phase 2 study demonstrated tremendous benefits in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, who had already undergone, on average, six types of treatments,” comments Dr. Lilian Arruda, clinical oncologist and medical coordinator of the IBCC Oncology Research Center.What is HER-2 positive breast cancerSome types of breast cancer have an increased number of HER-2 receptors on the cell surface (the doctor can check this profile using a battery of tests). This condition is known as HER-2 overexpression and contributes to uncontrolled cell growth, which is the main characteristic of cancer. That is why it is a more aggressive type of tumor.Who will have accessApproved in the USA on January 6, 2020, in Brazil, access to the drug is made available through research protocols. Several research centers in Brazil are recruiting patients for studies using the new drug. Dr. Lilian Arruda points out that one of the several advantages of participating in clinical research is the opportunity to take advantage of a medication or procedure that is not yet available by the Unified Health System (SUS) or that is not yet being marketed. The IBCC Oncology Clinical Research Center is one of the places that is recruiting patients for research with the new drug.Learn more: https://ibcc.org.br/pesquisa-clinica/Colaboração by Dr. Lilian Arruda - clinical oncologist and medical coordinator of the IBCC Oncology Research Center.
The Cura Project Institute will hold, on the 26th, in São Paulo, the “1 Patient Meeting — Understanding Cancer — Breast Edition”. The purpose of the event, whose Registration is free, is that breast cancer patients, friends, and family members learn about the main advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer through simple and didactic presentations.
The lectures, which will be given by renowned oncologists, will deal with various aspects of the neoplasm. Among the topics are the fertility and pregnancy of cancer patients, genetic mutations, immunotherapy and new therapies.
In addition, other issues highlighted at the conference will be the importance of clinical research in cancer, the role of institutions in informing about the disease, and the initiatives of entities to improve access to therapies in the country.
Check out the schedule:14:00 - Opening - Dr. GUSTAVO WERUTSKY 14:05 - Fertility and pregnancy of patients with breast cancer during and after treatment - Dr. RICARDO CAPONERO 14:30 - Genetic mutations for breast and ovarian cancer: diagnosis and impact on treatment 14:55 - The evolution of treatment and survival of metastatic breast cancer - Dr. DANIELA DORNELLES ROSA 15:45 - Immunotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer: what is it, and for which patients? - Dr. GUSTAVO WERUTSKY 16:10 - Interval 16:30 - The role of cancer research groups - Project AMAZONA - Dr. SERGIO DANIEL SIMON 16:50 - Society's engagement in the fight against cancer: Cura Project - FERNANDA SCHWYTER 17:10 - Access to new treatments: the role of civil associations in accessing new treatments - Dr. MAIRA CALEFFI 17:30 - Multiplying information - MARLENE OLIVEIRA 17:50 - Questions and Closing - Dr. DANIELA DORNELLES ROSA
The event takes place at the Intercontinental Hotel, Alameda Santos, No. 1123, Jardim Paulista, Capital, São Paulo, from 14:00 to 17:50 p.m. Spaces are limited.
How can clinical research in Brazil change this scenario?Nora Thormann, from Porto Alegre (RS), had lymphoma that developed around her breast implant. Cristina Santedicola, from Salvador (BA), faced non-Hodgkin lymphoma for four years. What brings these women closer together, in addition to the fight against cancer, is that both were only successful in their treatments because they participated in clinical research in the United States. While in that country there are more than 80 research centers for every 1 million inhabitants, in Brazil there are only two. The probability of dying after diagnosis is twice as high in Latin America as in the United States or Europe. The main barriers to the development of clinical research in Latin America, according to experts, include the lack of structure in national or regional organizations dedicated to cancer research, a limited number of qualified and specialized people (for example, statisticians, study monitors, and other operational members), lack of public recognition of the importance of clinical research, legal obstacles, and regulatory in some countries and, critically, the lack of funding to support research. The CURA Project Institute, a non-profit organization that was born from an initiative of the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group - LACOG, has been acting on several fronts in order to promote and raise resources for carrying out clinical research. “We are a platform for interaction and engagement, which uses music, art, design, sports, fashion, and events to involve people and ambassadors in the fight against cancer. Through our initiatives, we can receive donations from individuals or legal entities, directly, with donations via the website or participation in charitable events, or indirectly”, explains psychologist Fernanda Schwyter, president of Cura.Faced with the tragic scenario in Brazil, private funding of clinical research is extremely important. According to oncologist Gilberto Amorim (D'OR Oncology), godfather of NeoSamba Search, funded by the CURA Project, “one of the benefits of carrying out more clinical research in Brazil is that there will be a greater opportunity for patients, especially those treated by the public network, to have more access to innovative drugs, to new treatments, and also to treatments that are already reference, reducing the difference between Brazil and large international centers. INCA data According to data released recently by the National Cancer Institute (INCA), for the triennial period 2020/2022, Brazil will have 625,000 new cases of the disease every year. Prostate and breast lead with more than 66,000 cases each year. “There was a 10% increase in breast cancer compared to 2018,” explains Amorim. The number of cervical cancers, mostly caused by HPV, will be 17,000 a year, but the oncologist warns that “it is a vaccine-preventable disease for girls and boys.” Obesity is a risk factor in 11 of 19 cancers. Sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excessive alcohol and poor diet -poor in vegetables, vegetables and fruits and rich in processed and industrialized products- increase the risk of 10 types of cancer, according to the Ministry of Health. For Fernanda, founder of Cura, it is essential that there be constant education and awareness among the population about the risk factors of neoplasms. In addition, the psychologist reinforces that research and the production of local knowledge are the main weapons to change the condition of our continent, in which most patients receives lower treatments than those received in other regions of the world. Only 1 to 3% of open studies in the world are open in Brazil, he says.www.projectocura.org
Green January, which was dedicated to the fight against cervical cancer, is closing with a major initiative, of which the Cura Project is proud to be a part. This is the campaign “Movement Brazil without cervical cancer”, launched through the union of medical societies and non-governmental organizations, led by the Brazilian Gynecological Tumors Group (EVA). The main objective of the action, developed on the participants' social networks, is to educate the population about the importance of the anti-HPV vaccine (Human Papillomavirus) so that girls who are currently at vaccination age (9 to 14 years) are the first generation without cervical cancer in Brazil, since the virus is responsible for 90% of cases of Disease. In addition, the campaign aims to make women aware of the importance of preventive gynecological exams such as Pap smears. Brazil has already incorporated the HPV vaccine into the national vaccination schedule. For girls in 2014 and for boys in 2017 (11 to 14 years old). However, the adherence rate is still insufficient. Data from the Ministry of Health indicate that more than half of the young population in Brazil is infected with HPV, which can cause various types of cancer: cervix, penis, anus and more recently it has been associated with throat cancer (tonsils and base of the tongue). According to the president of the Brazilian Gynecological Tumors Group (EVA), Angélica Nogueira Rodrigues, a study conducted in eight Brazilian capitals showed that only 8% of parents were aware of the HPV vaccine. However, according to the doctor, “when they were informed about vaccination, 90% of them said they would agree to vaccinate their children or be vaccinated.” Among the main proposals of the “Movement Brazil Without Cervical Cancer” campaign are vaccination within schools, following the successful model of vaccination coverage in other countries, and/or the approval of a law on the need to present a vaccine card upon enrollment in educational establishments. Cervical cancer affects more than 16,000 women in Brazil a year, leading to nearly 6 thousand patients died. It is the third most common cancer in the country and the fourth cause of cancer death in women. In the Northern region, it is the first, and the second in the Northeast and Midwest regions. However, it is a preventable and curable disease when diagnosed at an early stage. According to the president of the Cure Project, Fernanda Schwyter, “we all have responsibilities in our efforts to combat cancer, whether by taking adequate care of the patient or carrying out clinical research to discover better treatments, or adopting healthy lifestyle habits and, finally, avoiding the disease, when possible, with vaccination, as is the case of cervical cancer.” See the campaign folder:
A social media campaign, developed by the Cura Project, is bringing together oncologists, and other health professionals, in the search for resources to finance phase 3 of the Neosamba clinical research, which seeks study a way to prevent HER2-negative breast cancer from relapsing in the patient.The purpose of the action is for the participants - godparents and godmothers - to share a personalized link for online collection on their social networks and encourage their followers to donate to the research. Each of them sets a goal for its collection and a ranking shows the results of the donations. According to the president of Cura, Fernanda Schwyter, it is a healthy competition for a great cause. “It's a way we found to engage doctors in the search for private resources for clinical research against cancer, a chain of good,” she explains. For now, doctors Heloisa Resende (RJ), Susana Ramalho (RJ), Monique Binotto (RS), Alessandra Morelle (RS), and doctors José Bines (RJ), Tomas Reinert (RS), Gilberto Amorim (RJ), Gustavo Werutsky (RS), Dr. Eduardo Romero (SP) participate in the “gymkhana”, in addition by the psychologist and sexologist Flávia dos Santos (Bogotá- Colombia). The Cura website is also participating in the competition.
With the motto “The cure for cancer is in our hands”, the Cura Project has developed several activities aimed at the arts, music, fashion and entertainment, in order to develop a culture of philanthropy to finance clinical research in Brazil. Research Neosamba, coordinated and managed by LACOG - Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group, is 100% Brazilian and will be performed with SUS patients from 12 cancer centers, distributed in eight states. Learn more and participate: https://linktr.ee/projetocura
The important Christmas Show for the CURA Project Institute took place on December 13 in the city of Miami - FL. The event entitled Ready For Christmas took place as part of the Journey Through Brazilian Experience, a cultural activity held by the Consulate General of Brazil in Miami and included the presentation of the great Venezuelan interpreter and composer MARGER, accompanied by the Puerto Rican pianist and conductor JOSE NEGRONI and his jazz band, nominated 3 times for the Latin Grammy. The show was part of the box office dedicated to the Cura Project, as a way of integrating society Latin American in the fight against cancer.
The CURA Project Partner Clinic Seal was awarded to Clínica AMO, Salvador-BA. The seal was created to symbolize the recognition of the support of companies in maintaining the Cura Project. AMO is the first institution to receive the seal, as it has invested and financially supported the CURA Project since its founding in 2015.
Art Basel Miami, the largest art fair in the world, opened its doors to the public from December 5th to 8th, and curator Adriana Rede once again chose the Cura Project Institute as a social responsibility project, with the objective of publicizing our objectives and engaging the artistic community in the fight against cancer during the guided tour for Brazilians at the fair.
Miami Art Basel took place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, where 269 galleries (13 were Brazilian) were present, which exhibited works by more than 4 thousand artists from around the world, including paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs and videos.
Events and artistic encounters have the power to bring people together and transform feelings into actions. This has been the proposal of the Cura Project, which aims to raise funds for clinical cancer research. This year, the initiative will be present at Ready for Christmas, a cultural event held annually in Miami. Part of the box office will revert to Cura.
Fernanda Schwyter, founder of the association, explains that the initiative was born to be an avant-garde and transformative institution within society. For this reason, we chose art as the main tool for raising awareness. “We are a platform for interaction and engagement, which uses music, art, design, sports, fashion, and events to involve people and ambassadors in the fight against cancer. It is an honor to have the support of the Consulate General of Brazil in Miami, where we will be participating in Journey Through Brazilian Experiences, in partnership with the Brazil Foundation and Negroni's Trio”, to raise funds for the fight against cancer in Latin America, explains Fernanda Schwyter, founder of the Cura Project Institute.
Ready for Christmas will take place on December 13 at 8 pm at the Miami Dade Auditorium. This year, the event will feature a concert by interpreter and composer Marger, who will be accompanied by pianist and conductor Jose Negroni and his jazz band, nominated three times for the Latin Grammy.
Other information and tickets via the link https://brazilfoundation.org/event/ready-for-christmas/
The Cura Project Institute created an online vaccine with the goal of raising 25,000 reais for the initial expenses of phase III of the Neosamba research, which studies how to reduce the risk of a type of breast cancer returning to the patient. Access and contribute: http://vaka.me/743320 About the Research:Every year new cases of cancer are registered in Brazil. The latest survey by the National Cancer Institute (INCA) showed that, by December, 60,000 people will be diagnosed with the disease. How to reverse this picture? Experts in the field are betting on clinical research because of the possible expansion of access to new therapies, an improvement in quality of life and an increase in patient survival. With that in mind, doctors and civil society have come together to encourage the production of new studies in Brazil. One of the fruits of this union is the partnership between the Cura Project and 12 cancer centers, distributed in 8 Brazilian states. Everyone is looking for encouragement to start phase III of the Neosamba trial, which studies a way to prevent HER2-negative breast cancer from coming back. During the 2018 edition of ASCO, a conference of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, doctor José Bines was present to talk about the completion of phase II of Neosamba. Conducted by INCA, the trial investigated 118 patients with the purpose of evaluating whether the change in the order of drugs in the anthracycline and taxane class (some of the most common drugs used for chemotherapy) would make a difference in women's survival. It was suggested that treating them first with taxane and then with anthracyclines, and not the other way around, as was the previous standard, could bring more significant gains in progression-free survival and, especially, in overall survival. The study is moving towards phase III, when the number of people investigated is expanded for a longer period of time. However, resources are lacking to begin this process, which oncologist José Bines defines as a “confirmatory scientific study”. “The results of this analysis may redefine the best neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment (performed before surgery) for women with locally advanced breast cancer. The conclusion could have an immediate global impact on the care of women with breast cancer. According to the INCA forecast, 60,000 new cases of the disease may occur by the end of 2019,” explains the expert. “This is a 100% Brazilian survey and 100% conducted with SUS patients. There is no relationship with the pharmaceutical industry. All stages of designing and conducting the study are carried out by the researchers themselves, and now with the Cura Project, which has helped us to raise funds for the completion of phase III”, concludes José Bines.Presentation of the clinical study
Centers involved in the research
About the Cura Project:The Cure Project was born to be a transformative piece within society. Its main objective is to raise funds for clinical research against cancer in Brazil. To this end, Cura seeks to combine science and creativity as its main tools for raising awareness of the importance of this cause. The initiative is linked to the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group, LACOG, a non-profit organization that aims to develop, conduct and coordinate academic studies and clinical research in Latin America. Today, the Cura Project operates in Brazil and will soon arrive in Latin America and the Caribbean.
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