The UICC (Union Internationale Contre le Cancer) is the only truly global and independent cancer organization. The UICC holds a congress every four years, and the representation of speakers from countries outside the major pharmaceutical markets is substantial. This Brief discusses key issues raised at the Congress, including trends in the treatment and epidemiology of lung cancer, cancer in the developing world, tumor invasion and progression and palliative care.

• Discussion of the smoking cessation data presented at the congress

  
  

• Review of data presented on cervical and hepatocellular cancer in the developing world

  
  

• Overview of recent advances in the understanding of tumor invasion and progression

  
  

• Summary of the hot topics in palliative care covered at the conference

  
  

The provisioning of cancer care in a developing country is a difficult task, especially considering the fragility of many of these countries’ economies and the desperate need for improvement of the countries’ infrastructure, which competes for funding. However, this provides opportunity for those manufacturers willing to adapt to the needs of high volume but low unit value markets.

A number of tumors that are common in the developing markets, such as cervical cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, could also see significant spending from some of the more affluent developing countries as they look towards more cost-effective prevention strategies.

• evaluate the future impact of smoking cessation on commercial market for lung cancer over the next twenty years

  
  

• identify the commercial potential of targeted therapies for the prevention of tumor invasion and the formation of metastases

  
  

• understand the needs of oncology care providers in developing countries

  
  

• predict trends in the clinical and commercial dynamic of palliative care products in the cancer market

  
  

The UICC (Union Internationale Contre le Cancer) is the only truly global and independent cancer organization and has the sole aim of reducing the incidence and mortality of cancer and improving the quality of life of those individuals affected by cancer. The UICC holds a congress every four years, and the representation of speakers from countries outside the major pharmaceutical markets is substantial, making the conference an invaluable opportunity to gain insight to the management of cancer in these countries.

New therapeutic products likely to become available within the next three to four years show a great deal of promise in the management of lung cancer, and this will significantly change this tumor’s management.

• Affinitac in NSCLC
  
  
  
• Advances in lung cancer screening
  
  
  
• Smoking cessation in Western society and lung cancer epidemiology
  
  
  

The clinical needs and purchasing priorities of developing countries are far removed from those of the Western markets. However, this provides opportunity for those manufacturers willing to adapt to the needs of high volume but low unit value markets.

• Cervical cancer control in Africa; The IARC screening program
  
  
  
• Radiotherapy in developing countries
  
  
  
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
  
  
  

The new targeted oncology therapies in development are likely to fragment the oncology market, and as such, pharmaceutical manufacturers will have to adapt to a new market structure.

• Mechanisms of tumor invasion and progression
  
  
  
• Skeletal metastases
  
  
  
• Biology of metastases and the fragmentation of the oncology market
  
  
  

Palliative care of patients is now one of the hot topics and boom markets in oncology, as patients become more aware of improvements in end-of-life care.