Here’s an inspiring and hopeful talk about finding cancer treatments.

Targeted therapies are revolutionizing the way cancer is treated. One of the leaders of this revolution is Dr. Ross Camidge, Director, Thoracic Oncology Clinical Program at University of Colorado Hospital. He recently gave a talk to Colorado State University’s biotech students, using examples of his lung cancer research to inspire the students to careers in biomedical science.

CSU Career Center’s BioTech Connect: Ross Camidge

RECAP — Mantras of the Cancer Revolution:

The revolution in cancer treatment happened when the effectiveness of crizotinib for ALK+ lung cancer was discovered. “The whole drug development industry in cancer changed overnight. It wasn’t about finding one drug that was going to work a little bit in everybody. It was about findiing a drug that worked amazingly well in a small number of people.”

Camidge stated the following “mantras of the cancer revolution”:

1. One size does not fit all
(personalize cancer treatment based on each individual’s cancer)

2. Don’t walk away from a good thing
(if the targeted drug is working, stay on it as long as possible)

3. If the cancer moves, follow it
(if the cancer moves into brain, make a drug to treat the brain)

4. Question everything

Disclosure: Dr. Camidge is my clinical trial oncologist. I feel incredibly blessed to have him leading my lung cancer team.