Virtual Patient Advocate Forums
The AACR is committed to providing educational programming to patients with cancer and patient advocacy communities to support their collective mission to find cures for all cancers. AACR Patient Advocate Forums invite leaders from patient advocacy, academia, industry, and healthcare communities to discuss pressing topics and the latest discoveries in cancer research. Forums are virtual, at no cost to attendees, and open to the public.
Upcoming AACR Patient Advocate Forums
Exploring a New Generation of Patient-Centric Cancer Clinical Trials
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. ET
Virtual
More people are living through and beyond cancer thanks in large part to clinical trials which have given countless cancer patients access to lifesaving treatments. As scientific research has driven progress in cancer diagnosis and treatment, it has also led to significant changes in the way clinical trials are conducted. This Forum will explore cutting-edge developments revolutionizing the process and paving the way for more efficient, inclusive, and patient-centric clinical trials.
Special thanks to our Supporters
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PAST AACR Patient Advocate Forums
Activating artificial intelligence (AI) in cancer science and medicine
On-Demand
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is promising to revolutionize cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. But will it live up to the hype? As we explore how to leverage AI to enhance cancer research and care, patient advocates will play a critical role in ensuring that AI technologies are developed and implemented in ways that truly benefit patients. This Forum explores how AI is reshaping oncology and shares insights into strategies to navigate the opportunity and uncertainty.
what’s next for drug Discovery and development
On-Demand
The next decade promises to be a time of dramatic change for the cancer research community in terms of how new therapies will be discovered and developed. In keeping with advances in data science, drug discovery will be one of the areas of cancer research most significantly transformed through the application of artificial intelligence (specifically machine and deep learning). Enormous amounts of data, and data integration, will be required to power this information-driven transition, but the search for new cancer drug (and biologic) targets is well underway. These new approaches will present unique challenges for all aspects of drug development, including clinical trials and the regulatory review of these new agents. This AACR Patient Advocate Forum will explore what to expect in the months and years ahead in terms of the rate of progress for these new approaches.
Should we expect AI (Artificial Intelligence) to transform the field of drug discovery and enable an entirely new generation of safe, and more effective therapies for cancer – or is this too much to hope for at this point? Join us, as we meet some of the pioneers in the field who will share their opinions and thoughts on the possible.
the evolution of FDA regulatory science and its impact on Cancer
On-Demand
This is an important time for regulatory science in cancer research. The increasing number and diversity of medical interventions, data opportunities, and novel clinical trial designs are challenging traditional regulatory processes and spurring the need for significant innovation in regulatory practice. Patient expectations for earlier access to innovations and for involvement in regulatory decision-making add to the opportunities for new methodologies and data sources. This AACR Patient Advocate Forum explores how regulatory science is evolving to meet the growing complexity of cancer research and optimize regulation to support the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancers.
the impact of advanced technologies on cancer research
On-Demand
Powered by advanced technology, improved understanding of various cancers is proceeding at unprecedented speed, resolution, and scale. These new technologies are often referred to as the fourth industrial revolution as these advances are revealing new targets, mechanisms, and approaches for better diagnosing cancer earlier, developing novel cancer therapeutics, and ultimately preventing cancer. This Forum explores the impact of some of the most promising of these advanced technologies on cancer research and how it is (or will) accelerate progress against this complex array of diseases we call cancer.
revolution in cancer clinical trials
On-Demand
Clinical trials in oncology are increasing in complexity due to enrollment challenges, protocol deviations, and a staggering amount of data that are increasing costs and adding months to their timelines. Innovative trial designs may help address some of these challenges. This Forum reviews the standard features of traditional or gold-standard randomized clinical trials and discusses innovative trial designs that are changing the way new treatments are developed for patients with cancer.
A new frontier: the very early detection of cancer signals
On-Demand
Late-stage diagnosis is a major contributor to cancer-related mortality, as patients diagnosed with advanced cancers have fewer treatment options and a greater likelihood of death. Early detection of cancer may, therefore, help reduce cancer-related mortality around the world. Screening programs for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers have demonstrated the power of early cancer detection. Despite these successes, easy screening methods are currently unavailable for some of the world’s deadliest cancers and there is substantial debate on the potential of screening tests to identify early “signals” for multiple cancers to cause unintended harm. This Patient Advocate Forum highlights the latest research in cancer’s very early detection, as well as discusses the benefits and potential negatives of these new cancer screening tests.
The Transformative Potential of Biomarkers
On-Demand
Each person’s cancer has a unique pattern of biomarkers, making biomarker testing a critical part of diagnostics and treatment. This Forum explores where and how biomarkers are changing research and care to benefit patients with cancer.
The Science of Cancer Survivorship
On-Demand
Recent studies highlight the growing number of cancer survivors and the unique challenges that come from the late and long-term effects of cancer treatments. Accordingly, cancer survivorship is gaining recognition as an important, albeit understudied, area of research. This Forum discusses research studies advancing the field of cancer survivorship, identifies gaps in knowledge, and explores the future direction of cancer survivorship research.
How Evolution Shapes Cancer
On-Demand
Evolutionary theories are shaping how we understand the evolution of cancer and cancer metastasis. Integrating evolutionary theory into cancer treatment is key to recognizing and controlling therapeutic resistance and developing proactive therapy regimens. This Patient Advocate Forum explores how cancer evolution will develop new biomarkers and more effective therapeutic targets.
The Potential of Big Data and Machine Learning for Oncology
On-Demand
Data science and machine learning promise to revolutionize cancer treatments, but the role of patients has yet to be clearly defined in this new world of large datasets and real-world evidence. This Patient Advocate Forum explores how scientists are translating data into clinically relevant knowledge, discusses the role of patients in these efforts, and highlights the opportunities for using big data to advance cancer care.
The Promise of Immuno-Oncology
On-Demand
The rapid development of immuno-oncology therapies for cancer is transforming the cancer treatment landscape and bolstering hope for many cancer patients. But why doesn’t it create a durable response for all patients with cancer? This Patient Advocate Forum explores the field of immuno-oncology, highlights how immuno-oncology harnesses the body’s immune system to prevent and fight cancer, and discusses why some cancers are resistant to this approach.
Precision Oncology Advances in 2020: Looking Ahead to 2021
On-Demand
The COVID-19 pandemic dominated headlines in 2020. The response by the research community was marked by unprecedented scientific collaboration and rapid research advances culminating in the authorization of two vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, less than 12 months after the first reported COVID cases. But there were also a number of advances made in cancer research that should be highlighted as we look forward to 2021. Most notably in new targeted agents, advanced diagnostic technologies, and a renewed commitment to increase public understanding of cancer health disparities. A number of cancer communities also saw years of commitment to cancer research pay off with a record number of drug approvals. This virtual AACR Patient Advocate Forum highlights some of the recent breakthroughs in cancer research and showcases what we might be able to expect in the year 2021.
COVID-19 AND CANCER
On-Demand
The COVID-19 pandemic has sickened more than 22.8 million people globally and claimed the lives of more than 796,000 people around the world. It threatens to reverse decades of research progress in the fight against cancer and jeopardize the future care and treatment of patients with cancer. The AACR is working diligently to keep all members of the cancer community informed and safe from infection. Advocates from across the cancer community joined this free virtual forum to get the latest information on COVID-19 and cancer.
Special Thanks to Our Supporters
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