Dear Colleague,
The vast majority of our coverage in Personalized Medicine in Oncology focuses on our ability to identify genetic mutations, unique protein expressions, and other significant biomarkers for which we can tailor individual therapy. In this issue, we broaden that scope by exploring several topics that are related to personalizing care for the individual in the hope of improving their experience, quality of life, and, ultimately, their therapeutic outcome.
In our Interview with the Innovator department, we have the pleasure of speaking with clinicians from The Urology Group in Cincinnati, OH, about the importance of bone health in patients with prostate cancer as well as the importance of preventing skeletal-related events in the overall care of the patient.
Dr Audibert and colleagues present the results from their retrospective market analysis of the use of laboratory-developed tests in providing molecular testing for EGFR and ALK alterations in patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer.
We are pleased to feature an article by Jamie Brewer, MD, regarding the state of personalized medicine in prostate cancer to include disease diagnosis, monitoring, and molecular characterization to personalize therapeutic decisions.
My friend and colleague, Carolyn Compton, MD, PhD, FCAP, offers an editorial on the critical importance of biospecimen quality to ensure accuracy in molecular analysis and reminds us that this goal is fundamentally our responsibility to our patients.
We are also pleased to present news from the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology Annual Meeting on Supportive Care in Cancer as part of our goal to include all facets of personalized care.
It is our hope that the information presented here gives you and your team the enhanced ability to provide complete, individual, personalized care to your patients.
Thank you for your loyal readership.
Sincerely,
Al B. Benson III, MD, FACP, FASCO
Coeditor in Chief
Personalized Medicine in Oncology