Oncology
Insights on the major trends in oncology including the development of targeted therapies in clinical trial designs and patient care.
De-risking clinical development of precision medicines in oncology
This whitepaper reviews the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the oncology therapeutic landscape in the emerging era of precision medicine, and reports on how those opportunities and challenges vary by organisational size and region.
ICON survey report: Innovation in oncology - Accelerating R&D in an evolving landscape
In Spring of 2024, ICON conducted a survey of 104 professionals engaged in oncology drug development in North America and Europe, representing organisations ranging from small to large biotech and pharmaceutical companies.
Advances in imaging biomarkers: Estimating drug efficacy with tumour growth rate modelling
This whitepaper compares the use of imaging biomarker methodologies such as RECIST 1.1 with novel tumour growth rate (TGR) modelling. Using this methodology eliminates the need for a comparable control arm which can reduce research costs. TGR modelling also more efficiently captures heterogeneous tumour measurements and whole-body tumour burden.
Strategies for commercialising oncology treatments for young adults
In this whitepaper we delve into the dynamic landscape of oncology treatments tailored specifically for young adults. As cancer incidence among young individuals surges globally, it's imperative to explore innovative strategies that address their unique needs and challenges.
Approaching the CAR T-cell therapy horizon
Approved CAR T-cell therapies have shown remarkable results in patients with certain types of blood cancers, but further innovations are needed before the technology can reach its full potential. In this whitepaper, we explore the most exciting clinical developments in CAR T-cell therapy, and relate them to limitations of approved therapies.
Research strategies to support the acceleration of oncology antibody drugs to market
This presentation will address important issues in antibody drug development, including choosing the right biomarker, drug formulation and manufacturing. It will also discuss critical aspects of clinical trial design and leveraging regulatory pathways, in addition to outlining the differences between fast track, break through therapy, priority review regulatory designations and accelerated approval pathways.
From genomics to the coming of age glycomics
Discover how glycan biomarkers are quickly becoming key elements of cancer, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal research, setting the stage for a new golden age of epigenetic research and personalised therapeutics.
Multi-diagnostic approaches for patient selection biomarkers in immuno-oncology
The development of diagnostic tests which can predict patient response to these therapies are crucial to the clinical success of an immunotherapy candidate. This webinar recording helps to:
- Define the different classes of immunotherapy being developed for cancer treatment
- Identify the utility and limitations of current biomarkers for the selection of patients for checkpoint inhibitor therapy
- Compare/contrast methods and assays being used for biomarker analysis
Evolving oncologic development in the decades ahead
Successive revolutions of prevention strategies and precision medicine in the past two decades have contributed to lowering the mortality rate for the ten most prevalent cancers by more than 10% across most of Europe, Asia, and North America. In the coming years, emergent therapeutic strategies, including immuno-oncologics and liquid biopsy-based companion diagnostics, may yield some of the most transformative clinical benefits to date. Yet, oncology pipelines remain rife with challenges. This whitepaper provides specific ideas and innovative approaches that make a real difference to the successful conduct of industry-sponsored clinical trials.
Optimising oncology clinical research through site partnership and investigator support
The goal of oncology drug development is to bring effective treatments and improved individual care to patients suffering from cancer. The process to get a new therapy approved by the FDA may take 10–15 years and requires the timely completion of numerous clinical trials. The success of the process rests on finding and supporting the investigators and site staff that ultimately recruit the patients for the studies. CROs can reduce barriers to clinical research participation for sites, by finding ways to create administrative efficiencies, keep investigators engaged throughout the process,
Immuno-oncology setting the scene
Immuno-oncology (I-O) plays an increasingly important part in cancer treatment, utilising the body’s own immune system to fight the disease. Although not a new concept, I-O has progressed considerably in the last 10-15 years with approvals for numerous I-O therapies including vaccines, cytokines, tumour-directed monoclonal antibodies, and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Oncology clinical development media contributions
Advances in imaging biomarkers: Estimating efficacy with tumour growth rate modelling
Imaging biomarkers are an essential part of oncology trials, tracking the efficacy of the new treatment and comparing it to the existing gold standard therapies. The insights gleaned from imaging biomarkers steer the course of oncology clinical trials, informing decision-making and endpoints. This article discusses the benefits of tumour growth rate modelling.
To be precise: How oncology therapies can stand out in a diverse, uncertain landscape
Targeted product profiles and biomarkers for patient screening are essential elements of success for oncology treatment developers, according to our recent survey. This article explores why both prove challenging for drug developers.
Strategies for commercialising oncology treatments for young adults
This article explores the imperatives and strategies for commercialising oncology treatments targeting young adults, highlighting the need for innovative regulatory and commercial strategies to ensure successful market entry and improved patient outcomes.
Survey shows varied views on impact of new cancer drugs
This article published in The Pharma Letter highlights findings from an ICON survey has found that despite the increasing investment in emerging oncology-related therapeutics, developers have varied views on the impact of new cancer drugs for patients.
Innovation and flexibility in long-term follow-up studies
Read insights from Harpreet Gill VP, Real World Solutions, on how sponsors can optimise their LTFU studies to be flexible and cost-effective, with strategic planning and innovation, overcoming challenges while capturing valuable data insights.
Biomarker Identification a Challenge and Opportunity in Cancer Drug Development, Survey Finds
This news piece from Precision Medicine Online provides an overview of the findings from ICON’s recent survey of professionals engaged in oncology-related clinical research. It shares respondents' insights on how precision medicine approaches are changing development strategies and the to the extent these therapeutic advances will benefit patients in the future.
Navigating oncology development decisions for long-term success
In this media article, ICON expert Tanja Obradovic, PhD, highlights how mapping clear inflection points for data-driven decisions will inform efficient drug development.
Overcoming Challenges in the Development of Antibody Drug Conjugates
In this article, ICON’s Andreas Dreps reviews the innovations that have helped ADCs overcome clinical development challenges.
Engineering CAR T-cell sharpshooters
In this article, ICON's Brian Huber explains why and discusses the prospects for the next-generation of CAR T-cell therapies engineered to be more adaptable, precise and controlled.
Application of NGS to enhance the molecular monitoring of CML patients
This Q&A discusses ICON’s development of its RNA-based next generation sequencing (NGS) assay that detects mutations in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and how it can benefit both routine clinics and clinical trial settings.
Clinical development strategy in oncology
In Dr Tanja Obradovic's article in The Cancer Letter, she discusses how to navigate early clinical development and support robust registrational strategy and late-stage development in oncology.
From Vaccines to Oncology and Beyond: Tracking mRNA’s Progress
In this article, ICON’s Andreas Dreps and Martin Lachs discuss how the success of mRNA-based vaccines paves the way for mRNA in oncology and beyond.
Oncology blogs
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Blog: Submission strategies for combined studies in the EU
In this article we look at how an oncology study sponsor managed their submission process which spanned more than 30 countries, many in the EU.
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Blog: Transforming CML patient monitoring with ICON’s innovative RNA-based NGS assay
ICON's new RNA-based NGS assay improves CML monitoring, offering higher sensitivity and specificity, including for the identification of typical and atypical BCR::ABL1 transcript types and the detection of TKI resistant mutation.
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Blog: Navigating shifting paradigms in dose optimisation and dose selection for oncology therapeutics
MTD is increasingly seen as suboptimal for emerging oncology therapies, which lack chemotherapy’s generalised cytotoxic effects. More contemporary dose-selection designs can now identify the lowest dose of an oncology therapy with the highest rate of efficacy that is tolerable for patients.
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Blog: Innovations contributing to the reemergence of antibody drug conjugates
ADC candidates that address the limitations of their first-generation predecessors are receiving approvals, and a new wave of ADCs are in clinical development. Read the blog to explore the innovations contributing to the re-emergence of ADCs.
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Blog: Navigating oncology development decisions for long-term success
Read the blog to learn how to navigate key challenges in oncology and the important decision points including early clinical development, robust registrational strategy and late-stage development.
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Blog: Leveraging healthcare intelligence to increase diversity of oncology clinical trials
New regulatory requirements for diversity require sponsors to submit a diversity action plan alongside key trial documents to the FDA. Read the blog to learn how healthcare intelligence can be leveraged to increase diversity in oncology clinical trials.
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Blog: Expanding CAR T-cell Therapy into solid tumours
In this blog, learn more about a range of approaches that researchers are taking to improve the efficacy and safety of CAR T-cell therapies in solid tumours.
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Blog: My patient story - Chelsea Mason
ICON's Chelsea Mason shares her personal experiences with cancer.
Receive more insights on oncology from ICON
Please visit ICON's Preference Centre and select 'oncology' under 'Therapeutic Areas of Interest' to receive new insights on oncology.
ICON's Oncology capabilities
Oncology services
ICON’s Oncology Solution expedites every aspect of a cancer drug trial. It combines global experience in all Phases of oncology drug development (including early phase, immuno-oncology and cell and gene therapies) with expertise in tumor imaging, laboratory (including PK/PD and Biomarkers) IVRS, central data management, electronic data capture and regulatory oncology issues.