Rapid Advances in Cancer Therapy will Soon Turn Cancer into a Chronic Disease like Any Other, say Top Oncologists

BENGALURU / September 6, 2025: Recent years have seen tremendous advances in diagnosis, staging, prognostication and therapy of cancer patients. Overall survival rate of cancer patients has rapidly increased over the last 10-15 years. In many non-curative settings, cancer is now being converted into just a chronic disease with which patient can live. This was said by top oncologists assembled at a CME on newer advances in oncology in Bengaluru.

The event was curated by Dr. Radheshyam Naik, Head – Medical Oncology, Hematology & Bone Marrow Transplantation at Sammprada Hospital, Bengaluru. Hosted by Sammprada Hospital in association with SHOBHA Trust, the day-long program brought together leading oncologists from Bengaluru to discuss breakthroughs across lung, breast, GI, and GU cancers, along with sessions on genomics, predictive analytics, and real-world evidence in cancer care.

Talking about newer advances in cancer care, Dr. Radheshyam Naik, Head – Medical Oncology, Hematology & Bone Marrow Transplantation at Sammprada Hospital, Bengaluru, said: “Genomics and proteomics are two biggest breakthroughs in the field of oncology. The former is enabling oncologists to pinpoint and individualize cancer therapy and minimize unnecessary toxic therapies. Proteomics is playing a major role in advancing cancer therapy by looking beyond genes and focusing on proteins. Immunotherapy and antibody drug conjugates are the next big breakthrough expected in the next one decade. Introduction of artificial intelligence in oncology can also be a game changer. It can store and analyze large amount of data. It is likely to do a better individualization of treatment and be less error prone than the present oncology practices.”

Dr. Ganesh Naik, Consultant Medical Oncologist, St John’s Medical College and Hospital, noted that the past two decades have seen revolutionary innovations in cancer care. “Targeted therapies have brought precision by exploiting tumor biology. Immunotherapy has transformed outcomes in lung cancer, skin cancer, etc. Advances in molecular diagnostics, liquid biopsy, and next-generation sequencing now allow real-time personalization,” he said.

According to Dr. Hasib Abdul Gaffor, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, HCG Hospital, Bengaluru, radiation oncology plays a vital role in cancer care, with nearly 60% of patients requiring it at some stage of treatment. “Thanks to rapid advances in technology and a deeper understanding of cancer biology, radiation therapy today is far more precise, effective, and safer. Modern techniques such as image-guided and intensity-modulated radiotherapy allow doctors to target tumors with high accuracy, minimize side effects, and significantly improve patients’ quality of life,” he said.

Said Dr. Vinod K Ramani, Consultant Preventive oncologist, Bengaluru, said that the way cancers are appearing today is changing. “We are seeing more cases of gastrointestinal cancers, different patterns in lung cancers, aggressive breast cancers in young women, and even cancers in people who otherwise appear healthy. This makes regular screening for common cancers very important. In India, certain risk factors stand out — infections, rising air pollution, and lifestyle changes. Pesticide contamination in food and water, unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, and stress are also emerging as new contributors that, together, increase cancer risk,” he added.