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The “Precision Oncology in Brazil” event marked the integration of the EETOP research group into IEA-USP

Professors Claudia Pavani (FEA-USP), Patricia Coelho de Soárez (FMUSP), Wija Oortwijn (Radboud University) and Hillegonda Maria Dutilh Novaes (FMUSP). Img: Leonor Calasans/IEA-USP

Precision oncology is revolutionizing cancer treatment, bringing hope with personalized treatments that can change the course of the disease and improve patient survival. However, high costs and implementation challenges raise questions about access and equity.

On October 1st and 2nd, the seminar “Precision Oncology in Brazil: A Health Technology Assessment Approach Throughout the Life Cycle” was held, inaugurating the activities of the Precision Oncology Technology Equity and Efficiency Research Group (EETOP) at the Institute of Advanced Studies of the University of São Paulo (IEA-USP). The group aims to create a space for communication between the scientific community and society, promoting interdisciplinary discussions on the contributions of “precision medicine in oncology” to cancer patient care, from a perspective of equity and sustainability for the Brazilian healthcare system.

The seminar raised key topics to discuss the incorporation of these technologies into the healthcare system, such as:

  • Paradigm shifts in research and clinical practice: precision technologies have posed challenges for healthcare systems, with still limited evidence, high costs, and uncertainties about long-term benefits. “The learning curve of using these technologies affects their outcomes, and the context of healthcare services both impacts and is impacted by these technologies,” noted Professor Maria Novaes, a member of EETOP.
  • Challenges and opportunities of precision oncology in the Unified Health System (SUS): “the importance of diagnostic precision at the right time for the right patient,” was highlighted by Professor Roger Chammas, an EETOP member and coordinator of the Comprehensive Center for Precision Oncology (C2PO).
  • National Centers for Advanced Therapies (Nutera-SP and Nutera-RP): Brazilian initiatives with the potential to produce innovative therapies, such as CAR-T Cell, at significantly more affordable costs.

The event was attended by representatives from academia, the Executive Secretariat of Conitec, health technology assessment centers, medical specialists, researchers, public producers, the pharmaceutical industry, and patient associations. The discussions were guided by an international perspective on the topic, with the presence of Wija Oortwijn, Chair of the Dutch HTA Agency (Zorginstituut Nederland) and professor at Radboud University Medical Centre in the Netherlands.

According to Professor Patrícia Soárez, EETOP coordinator, “The event was enriching, providing valuable dialogue between stakeholders in the precision oncology ecosystem. The discussions, both profound and essential, addressed the complex challenges of implementing these innovative technologies into the Brazilian healthcare system, fostering reflections on solutions to ensure equitable and sustainable access to cutting-edge treatments. Furthermore, it was an educational opportunity that encouraged transdisciplinarity and collaboration between researchers and graduate students, highlighting the crucial role of Public Health in implementing precision oncology’s technological innovations into the routine of healthcare services and systems.”

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