patients with a specific genetic mutation . A Johnson & Johnson therapeutic was also FDA-approved for use as a first-line targeted treatment for patients with prostate cancer who carry a certain mutation and for whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated .

Currently , Dr Schecter is focusing his efforts on another precision medicine innovation : cell-based therapies for the treatment of blood cancers . This approach involves genetically engineering a patient ’ s own immune cells to target and kill cancer cells . Currently , such treatments are only available to patients who have unsuccessfully gone through multiple lines of prior therapy , but the hope is to bring the treatment into earlier lines of therapy — potentially paving the way for improved outcomes in the future .

Therapy Designation from the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ).

Scientists are also looking into whether the combination drug-device can be combined with other treatments . Reaching tumours in the lung , for example , with traditional diagnostic methods can also be tricky . Not having full physical access to these areas means these cancers are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage .

That ’ s why having innovative tools is key to catching certain cancers early . Johnson & Johnson MedTech ’ s Monarch™ Platform for Bronchoscopy , for example , allows physicians to examine hard-to-reach areas of the lung where conventional bronchoscopes have greater challenges with access and stability . Physicians utilise an instinctive handheld controller and two robotic arms to drive a thin , flexible scope into the patient ’ s airways . The technology utilises real-time , adaptive navigation and constant visualisation , even in the periphery of the lung where about 70 per cent of nodules are located .

This reach and access to the periphery could potentially extend beyond diagnostic procedures to find lung cancer at an earlier stage . Researchers are now studying how minimally invasive procedures can potentially aid in lung cancer treatment .

“ We are working on a number of clinical trials to examine whether we can deliver novel therapies directly into the tumours that kill cancer cells or activate the immune system to kill cancer cells ,” explains Philippe Szapary , M . D ., MSCE , Clinical Development & Scientific Affairs Head , Interventional Oncology ( INTO ) at Johnson & Johnson .

INTO , a convergent R & D team , is integrating Johnson & Johnson ’ s Innovative Medicine and MedTech expertise to develop intratumoral

therapies to help improve patient outcomes in lung and adjacent cancers . “ The hope is eventually we will be able to use the Monarch Platform to locate and access tumours and deliver therapeutic modalities directly into the lesions using purpose-built drug-delivery systems to optimise the effect of each modality ,” explains Hannah McEwen , Ph . D ., Head of Engineering Sciences , INTO at Johnson & Johnson .

Additionally , through a licensing agreement with biotech company Nanobiotix , the INTO team is exploring how Nanobiotix ’ s investigational radioenhancer , NBTXR3 , may help make radiation therapy more effective in head , neck and lung cancers .

3 . PRECISION MEDICINE APPROACHES

Another approach Johnson & Johnson is taking to innovate new cancer therapeutics : identifying which patients would respond most positively to a particular treatment , so that time isn ’ t lost giving treatment to someone who won ’ t benefit .

One example : Johnson & Johnson has an approved medicine for helping treat metastatic urothelial cancer , and it is effective in patients whose tumour has a specific abnormal gene .

The drug was approved for use in conjunction with a companion diagnostic , which is administered by healthcare providers to identify the patients who may benefit most from the bladder cancer treatment — a precision medicine-based approach to getting the most effective treatment to a patient who has certain genetic alterations .

Another medicine became the first targeted therapy approved by the FDA for advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer in

“ In addition , the company also provided a US $ 5 million sponsorship to Stand Up to Cancer to increase diversity in early-phase cancer clinical trials . Globally , Johnson & Johnson ’ s support of the African Access Initiative is helping improve access to cancer care and representation in cancer clinical trials in countries throughout Africa .”

4 . WORKING TO ELIMINATE HEALTHCARE DISPARITIES

As is the case with many diseases , cancer doesn ’ t impact everyone in the same way . For example , in the US , Black people experience the highest cancer death rates and the shortest survival times of any population group . And compared with white people , Hispanic men and women are less likely to be diagnosed with lung , colorectal , breast and prostate cancers — the most common types .

One way to begin reducing these disparities is by increasing representation in clinical trials . Barriers such as limited outreach have prevented historically marginalised communities from participating in clinical studies . And inclusiveness is crucial , so researchers can determine which medicines and therapies will work for all people with cancer .

Just a few examples of how Johnson & Johnson has shown its commitment to diversifying clinical trials : Last year , the company donated US $ 3 million to the American Cancer Society ’ s Navigating Patients Across the Care and Treatment Continuum programme , an initiative that ’ s increasing awareness and access to clinical trials among racially and ethnically diverse communities .

“ The grant will be awarded to about 20 different cancer health systems throughout the US to support innovative and impactful strategies to overcome access to barriers ,” says Mark Wildgust , Ph . D ., VP of Oncology , Global Medical Affairs at Johnson & Johnson . This may include nurse navigator support throughout the clinical trial process , from addressing comprehension and literacy gaps to ensuring compliance with protocolspecified evaluations .

In addition , the company also provided a US $ 5 million sponsorship to Stand Up to Cancer to increase diversity in early-phase cancer clinical trials . Globally , Johnson & Johnson ’ s support of the African Access Initiative is helping improve access to cancer care and representation in cancer clinical trials in countries throughout Africa .

Currently , Johnson & Johnson is recruiting participants for the LIBERTAS study , a clinical study of patients with metastatic prostate cancer . It is the first oncology programme at the company that ’ s intentionally transgender-inclusive .

Conducting a transgender-inclusive trial is important , as survival rates among transgender people with prostate cancer are shown to be worse than those of cisgender men with the disease . “ The hope is that research from the LIBERTAS study will help improve detection and treatment strategies in both transgender and nonbinary people ,” explains Wildgust .

Because that ’ s the purpose of Johnson & Johnson ’ s work in oncology : helping change the lives of all people who live with cancer , while working tirelessly to end the disease once and for all . – The HEALTH

This article appeared recently on the website of Johnson & Johnson