Improving gastrointestinal cancer therapy by uniting stakeholders

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer—an umbrella term for cancers that affect the digestive system and other abdominal organs—includes some malignancies with the lowest survival rates. To improve patient outcomes, patients must have access to optimal treatment including precision oncology, a method of determining the most effective treatment for an individual cancer patient by identifying predictive biomarkers through the use of advanced molecular diagnostics. While many powerful molecular profiling technologies have already been developed, their uptake in the management of GI cancers could be improved. To bridge this gap, better coordination among three interdependent stakeholders—scientists, clinicians, and industry professionals—is essential. The first Translational and Precision GI-Oncology—Bench to Bedside Meeting was held on 23-28 April 2023 in Freiburg, Germany. The 3-day meeting offered the opportunity for scientists, clinicians, and industry professionals in the field of GI cancer to exchange ideas about how to improve the translation of basic science into clinical practice. One-hundred and twenty participants attended the meeting, which featured 47 presentations covering the following five topics: bedside, analytical approaches for treatment and real-world data, new ideas and biomarkers, novel technologies, and drugs. A summary of the 2023 meeting is provided in this report.