Global cancer cases are projected to reach nearly 28 million by 2040, signaling a new era in oncology where innovation alone is insufficient. Dr. Henar Hevia, Senior Director and EMEA Therapeutic Head of Oncology at J&J Innovative Medicine, emphasizes that the critical challenge lies in translating scientific breakthroughs into tangible improvements for patient care.
With over 22 years in oncology, Dr. Hevia has witnessed dramatic shifts. For instance, survival in multiple myeloma has extended from approximately three years to over ten years with access to advanced therapies. Similarly, biomarker-driven treatments have quadrupled survival for certain non-small-cell lung cancer patients. Despite these advances, a significant gap persists between the rapid pace of scientific discovery and its effective implementation in clinical practice.
This gap stems from the overwhelming volume of data and evolving treatment guidelines, complicating clinical decision-making. Dr. Hevia advocates for reframing research and practice as a continuous cycle of evidence generation, exchange, and application. Progress is now defined not just by new therapies, but by their successful integration into patient care.
Real-world evidence (RWE) and personalized approaches are key to bridging this gap. While clinical trials provide essential foundational data in controlled settings, real-world data (RWD) offers crucial insights into therapy effectiveness and outcomes across diverse patient populations in everyday practice. Initiatives like Johnson & Johnson’s federated data network, HONEUR, are instrumental in gathering RWD to understand treatment patterns and unmet needs in routine care.
Dr. Hevia calls for expanding these data-driven approaches across all tumor types. The future of oncology depends on a collective effort from academia, industry, and healthcare systems to share knowledge, educate stakeholders, and act as strategic partners, ensuring that innovation reaches its full potential to benefit patients.