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Articles by Marine Rushanyan
Caregiver Burnout – An Unrecognised Challenge in Oncology
Burnout among informal caregivers—often referred to in clinical settings as bystanders—is a real, significant, yet widely unrecognized problem in oncology. While modern medicine places immense focus on patient outcomes, doctors and healthcare systems often forget to consider the well-being of the people standing beside the bed. These bystanders are typically the patient’s children or spouse.
Parker Institute Investigators’ Startups Azalea and Medici Named to 2026 Endpoints 11
Two biotechnology companies co-founded by Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy investigators, Azalea Therapeutics and Medici Therapeutics, have been named to the 2026 Endpoints 11, an annual selection recognizing promising startups across the biotechnology industry. The recognition brings attention to two approaches to cancer treatment: engineering cancer-fighting immune cells directly inside the body and developing highly personalized cancer therapies.
Beyond Precision Medicine: Why Comprehensive Cancer Care Matters — Insights from JICC 2026 in Constantine
From October 8–10, 2026, the 22nd Journées Internationales de Cancérologie de Constantine (JICC) and the 2nd Forum Kamel Bouzid d’Oncologie (FKBO) brought Algerian and international oncology professionals together at the Hôtel Marriott Constantine.
Armenia Becomes First Country to Approve Agenus’ BOT+BAL for MSS Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Armenia has become the first country in the world to grant marketing authorizations for Agenus’ botensilimab and balstilimab (BOT+BAL), marking the first approvals of either medicine globally. The authorizations cover their combined use in adults with microsatellite-stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer without active liver metastases who have previously received available standard therapies, according to an Agenus press release issued on October 8, 2026.
From Histology to Molecular Classification: How Endometrial Cancer Care Is Evolving in Algeria
Key takeaways Molecular classification (POLE, MMRd, NSMP, p53abn) now sits alongside FIGO 2023 staging as a determinant of risk and adjuvant treatment intensity — not a replacement for it. MMR loss should trigger consideration of Lynch syndrome evaluation, not just guide chemotherapy or immunotherapy decisions. PD-L1 is not the relevant biomarker in endometrial cancer, unlike in cervical cancer — MMR/MSI status drives immunotherapy decisions here.
The Growing Gap in Renal Cell Carcinoma Treatment in Brazil
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has undergone a profound therapeutic transformation over the past two decades. The management of metastatic clear-cell RCC has moved from cytokine-based approaches to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs), immune checkpoint inhibitors, and combinations of immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
Imugene Reports New Responses With Azercabtagene Zapreleucel Plus BTK Inhibitor in Phase 1b Blood Cancer Trial
Imugene has reported one additional complete response in mantle cell lymphoma and one partial response in chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the BTK inhibitor combination cohort of its ongoing Phase 1b trial of azercabtagene zapreleucel (azer-cel). The October 5, 2026 announcement adds results from four patients assessed at Day 28, bringing the combination cohort to seven evaluable patients. All patients enrolled in this cohort had previously received and progressed on BTK inhibitor therapy.
GC-OS 2026: What Not to Miss at the Global Cardio-Oncology Summit
Cancer treatment is becoming more effective, more personalized, and increasingly complex for the heart. As patients live longer and new therapies reshape oncology, clinicians are facing a growing set of cardiovascular questions: How should cardiotoxicity be predicted? Which patients need closer surveillance? Can cardiovascular complications be prevented before they appear? And how should care continue years after cancer treatment ends?
Introducing OncoDaily Academy: A New Global Platform for Oncology Education
A new initiative by OncoDaily, the OncoDaily Academy, will connect clinicians with expert-led learning experiences across the evolving landscape of cancer care. The field of oncology is advancing at an unprecedented pace. With discoveries, emerging treatment approaches, and rapidly evolving standards of care, continuous education has become essential for healthcare professionals worldwide.
Christopher Jackson Named Candidate for UICC Board of Directors 2026–2028
Christopher Jackson, Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Otago and National Clinical Lead for Cancer Services in New Zealand, has been named a candidate for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term.
Merck Enters $2.13 Billion License Agreement for SciBrunch’s Investigational Oral KRAS G12D (ON) Inhibitor SPR2015
Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, has entered into an exclusive global license agreement with Shanghai-based SciBrunch Therapeutics for SPR2015, an investigational oral inhibitor of KRAS G12D, one of the most common cancer-driving mutations found in solid tumors. Announced September 28, 2026, the deal gives Merck worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the compound, with a total potential value of $2.13 billion.
WCC 2026 Highlights the Human Crisis in Cancer Care Through a Lancet Oncology Commission Discussion
The World Cancer Congress (WCC) 2026 is bringing together leaders from across the global cancer community from September 24–26, 2026, in Hong Kong, with the aim of advancing collaboration, sharing evidence-based strategies, and strengthening cancer control worldwide. Organized by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society, the Congress will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
MD Anderson Cancer Center Ranked No. 2 Cancer Center Worldwide in Newsweek 2027 Ranking
MD Anderson Cancer Center has been ranked the second-best cancer hospital in the world in Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2027 ranking, recognizing the Houston-based institution’s continued leadership in cancer care, research, and innovation. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ranked No. 2 worldwide in oncology, following Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and ahead of Gustave Roussy, which ranked third globally.
Beatrice Wiafe-Addai Named Candidate for UICC Board of Directors 2026–2028
Dr Beatrice Wiafe-Addai, CEO and President of Breast Care International (BCI) and Peace and Love Hospital in Ghana, has been named a candidate for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term. Dr Wiafe-Addai is among 24 candidates running for 14 seats on the UICC Board. The new Board will be elected by UICC full-member organisations as part of the 2026 UICC General Assembly, which will take place virtually on October 20, 2026.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Named World’s Best Cancer Hospital in Newsweek 2027 Ranking
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) has been ranked the world’s leading cancer hospital in Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2027 ranking, maintaining its position as the highest-ranked oncology institution globally. The New York-based cancer center secured the No. 1 position in oncology worldwide, ahead of other leading cancer institutions, including MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and Gustave Roussy in France.
Gustave Roussy Named Europe’s No. 1 Cancer Center and Third Worldwide in Newsweek 2027 Ranking
Gustave Roussy has been ranked the leading cancer center in Europe and the third-best oncology hospital worldwide in Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2027 ranking. Released on September 17, 2026, the annual ranking places the French cancer center behind only Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, while maintaining Gustave Roussy’s position as the highest-ranked oncology institution in France and Europe.
Japan Approves Subcutaneous Pembrolizumab Across All Approved Indications
Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has approved subcutaneous pembrolizumab and berahyaluronidase alfa for subcutaneous administration across all indications for which intravenous pembrolizumab is currently approved in Japan. The approval introduces the first and only subcutaneous immune checkpoint inhibitor available in Japan, according to Merck, offering an alternative to intravenous administration that can be delivered by a healthcare professional in as little as one minute.
Building a Palliative Care Network in Nepal: A New Model from Koshi Province
In resource-constrained healthcare systems, the intersection of acute oncology care, chronic symptom burden, and advanced disease management presents a formidable challenge. Tertiary center beds and intensive care units are routinely overwhelmed by complex chronic and terminal patients whose care can be effectively optimized outside tertiary settings, yet who lack access to structured palliative support in their communities.
Beyond Prevention: How Cervical Cancer Care Is Evolving in Algeria
Cervical cancer prevention is entering a new chapter in Algeria with the introduction of HPV vaccination into the national immunization program. But prevention is only half the story. For women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer today, the treatment landscape is also changing — with advances in staging, radiotherapy, systemic therapy, immunotherapy, and coordinated multidisciplinary care reshaping how clinicians make decisions.
Modern Melanoma Care in Algeria: More Than Immunotherapy
Key takeaways Complete surgical excision remains the cornerstone of curative treatment, but accurate pathological staging now directly influences subsequent therapeutic decisions. Immunotherapy and biomarker-driven targeted therapies have fundamentally transformed the management of advanced melanoma, making precision medicine central to routine clinical practice.
The Carcinogen on Our Plates: Why Kenya Must Treat Aflatoxin Control as Cancer Prevention
Groundnuts are among the food commodities susceptible to aflatoxin contamination when exposed to moisture, crop damage and inappropriate storage conditions. Visible mould should be treated as a food-safety warning, although aflatoxin requires laboratory confirmation. When we speak about cancer prevention in Kenya, the conversation is understandably dominated by tobacco, alcohol, obesity, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, infections and delayed screening.
Precision Oncology in Lung Cancer: How Contemporary Practice Is Evolving in Algeria
Key takeaways Comprehensive molecular profiling and PD-L1 assessment have become essential components of first-line therapeutic decision-making in advanced NSCLC. Modern lung cancer management increasingly depends on multidisciplinary coordination across all stages of disease. The greatest evolution is not simply the availability of new treatments, but the transition toward biologically driven, personalized therapeutic strategies that place precision oncology at the center of clinical practice.
Modern Head and Neck Cancer Care in Algeria: Beyond Cure Alone
Key takeaways Modern head and neck cancer management relies on multidisciplinary decision-making to optimize both oncologic and functional outcomes. Systemic therapy is becoming increasingly personalized through the integration of immunotherapy and biomarker-guided treatment. Comprehensive supportive care is an integral component of treatment and contributes directly to improved patient outcomes and quality of life.
Geriatric Oncology in Brazil: Overcoming The Barriers to High-Quality Cancer Care For Older Adults
Geriatric oncology in Brazil is becoming increasingly important as population aging profoundly transforms the epidemiology of cancer. Older adults account for the majority of incident cancer cases and frequently present with complex health and functional needs, making therapeutic decision-making substantially more challenging than in younger populations1–3. Nevertheless, geriatric oncology remains underdeveloped within the Brazilian healthcare system.
Eastern Algeria’s Oncology Community in Motion: Ten Days of Scientific Exchange and Collaboration
Continuous medical education has become one of the defining pillars of modern oncology. As new therapeutic strategies, biomarkers, and clinical evidence continue to reshape cancer care, scientific exchange among healthcare professionals is more important than ever.
HPV DNA Testing in Brazil: A New Era for Cervical Cancer Screening
Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing is reshaping cervical cancer screening worldwide. For decades, cervical cytology (Papanicolaou test) has been the cornerstone of screening programs, contributing substantially to reductions in cervical cancer incidence and mortality.
Beyond Borders: How Algeria Is Helping Strengthen Cancer Care Across Africa
Cancer care is built on more than medicines, technology, and infrastructure. It depends equally on people—the physicians, surgeons, pathologists, nurses, radiologists, and researchers whose expertise shapes every patient’s journey. As the burden of cancer continues to rise across Africa, developing a highly trained oncology workforce has become one of the continent’s greatest priorities.
Two Worlds, One Mission How a Canada–Nepal Partnership Is Transforming Global Oncology Education
Global oncology collaborations often take years to translate vision into meaningful impact. The Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration has shown that, with a shared commitment and the potential of global oncology education delivered virtually. In just six weeks, the collaboration successfully delivered three Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes spanning four major cancer specialties, bringing together leading oncology experts from Canada and Nepal.
HPV Vaccination After Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A New Era of Prevention in Brazil
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has transformed cervical cancer prevention worldwide. Initially introduced to prevent HPV infection before sexual exposure, vaccination is now also recognized as an important strategy for reducing the risk of recurrent high-grade cervical lesions after treatment.
Immunotherapy in Algeria: A Major Advance in Cancer Care
Over the past few years, Algeria has made significant progress in modernizing cancer care through the progressive integration of immunotherapy into routine oncology practice. Supported by the country’s National Cancer Control Strategy and the Algerian National Medical Oncology Therapeutic Guidelines, immune checkpoint inhibitors are now incorporated into the management of multiple solid tumors according to internationally recognized indications.
Population Aging and Cancer: Challenges and Opportunities in Geriatric Oncology
Geriatric oncology is becoming increasingly important as population aging represents one of the most significant demographic transformations of the twenty-first century. According to the United Nations, the number of individuals aged 65 years and older is expected to more than double over the coming decades, driven by increased life expectancy and declining fertility rates (1).
GLOBOCAN 2024: Looking Beyond the Numbers to Understand Global Cancer Disparities
GLOBOCAN 2024 has recently been released. For those unfamiliar with it, it is a document that provides estimates of the global cancer burden, such as the most common types of cancer, incidence, mortality, and stratifies these data according to pre-defined regions of the world and/or countries.
Sarcoma Care in Algeria in 2026: Building a Modern Multidisciplinary Approach
Sarcoma care is among the most challenging areas of modern oncology. Few malignancies challenge oncologists as much as sarcomas. Representing less than 1% of adult cancers yet encompassing more than 100 distinct histological subtypes, these rare tumors require far more than effective systemic therapy. Their successful management depends on accurate diagnosis, expert pathology, carefully planned surgery, multidisciplinary collaboration, and increasingly, molecular characterization.
Financial Barriers in Scientific Publishing and Their Impact on Research Integrity
As I was scrolling through my X feed (as I usually do in trying to keep up with new Oncology studies and approvals), I came across an interesting post by Dr Paolo Tarantino, written in Jun 24. He highlights the retraction of a paper published in Nature, the “RECTRACTED ARTICLE: Time-of-day immunochemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized phase 3 trial”, published in Feb 2026, and makes a few considerations about this retraction.
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) in Brazil: Why Brazil Changed Its Colorectal Cancer Screening Strategy in 2026
On May 21, 2026, the Brazilian Ministry of Health incorporated the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) into the national colorectal cancer screening program within the Brazilian Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde – SUS). FIT became the recommended primary screening test for asymptomatic adults aged 50 to 75 years, while colonoscopy became the diagnostic examination for individuals with a positive FIT result.
Building a National Cancer Research Ecosystem: Key Takeaways from Algeria’s First International Conference on Cancer Research
Cancer control is increasingly shaped not only by access to diagnosis and treatment, but also by a country’s ability to generate scientific evidence, conduct clinical research, leverage health data, and participate in international collaborations.
Strengthening Cancer Care Through Oncology Nursing Education and Treatment Safety
As cancer therapies become increasingly complex, oncology nursing continues to evolve far beyond treatment administration. Safety monitoring, patient education, management of treatment-related toxicities, and multidisciplinary coordination have become essential components of modern oncology care.
Algeria’s National Cancer Plan 2035: A Strategic Roadmap for Prevention, Early Detection, and Equitable Oncology Care
Algeria has officially approved its National Cancer Plan 2035, marking a major milestone in the country’s long-term approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare system organization. Presented during the Council of Ministers meeting chaired by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the strategy was developed by the National Commission for Cancer Prevention and Control under the leadership of Professor Adda Bounedjer.
The Global Impact of URO-ONCO 2026
The 17th International Congress of Uro-Oncology reinforced Brazil’s growing role as a hub for oncologic innovation in Latin America. With a record 4,751 participants and 309 speakers, the congress highlighted the scale of Brazil’s cancer burden, with the Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA) estimating 781,000 new cancer cases annually between 2026 and 2028, while prostate cancer accounts for 30.5% of cancer diagnoses among men.
The Platinum Shortage in India and How It Affects Lives Worldwide
The global oncology community is currently caught in a frustrating “platinum paradox.” While we celebrate breakthroughs in targeted therapies and AI-driven diagnostics, the reliable backbones of cancer care – cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin are vanishing from pharmacy shelves. As of mid-2026, the shortage of platinum-based chemotherapy in India has moved beyond a logistical hiccup; it has become a full-blown clinical crisis that is shaking the foundations of cancer treatment worldwide.
From Consensus to System: What Algeria’s 2026 Oncology Protocols Really Change
The release of Algeria’s 2026 consensus-based therapeutic protocols in medical oncology, coordinated by Adda Bounedjar, marks more than a clinical update – it represents a structural shift in how cancer care is delivered at the national level. Professor Adda Bounedjar, National Guidelines Coordinator These protocols, developed through a coordinated effort involving oncology specialists across the country, aim to standardize treatment approaches and reduce variability in clinical practice.
Advocacy Without Borders: Linking Policy, Practice, and Global Oncology
What does it mean to advocate for cancer patients on Capitol Hill, and why should it matter to an oncologist in Nairobi, a researcher in São Paulo, or a patient navigator in Beirut? That question sits at the heart of OncoDaily’s vision for its new regional hub in the DMV area, and it was brought into sharp focus during the recent ASCO Advocacy Summit.
Brazilian Regulatory Agency Adds Robotic Prostatectomy to Mandatory Health Coverage
On April 1st, 2026, a landmark shift occurred in the Brazilian private healthcare landscape as the National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS) officially included robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy in its List of Procedures and Events. Following the approval of Normative Resolution No. 654, health insurance providers are now mandated to cover this technology for patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer.
Life of a Young Oncologist: Balancing Hope And Home
Oncology is a field that is a constant reminder of life’s fragility. Being an oncologist is not just a profession but also an emotional commitment. Unlike other medical specialties, it requires more patience and empathy. An oncologist has to deliver life-altering news and also has to emotionally support the patients and their families through the diagnosis, relapse/recurrence, prognosis, treatment, and survivorship or bereavement.
Brazilian Government Signs Partnership to Produce Pembrolizumab Nationally
In March the 26th, the Brazilian government announced a partnership between Merck Sharp & Dohme and Instituto Butantan, a government funded Brazilian pharmaceutical company, to produce Pembrolizumab in Brazil. The goal is to make the MSD drug available at more competitive prices so it can be accessible in Brazil’s public health care system (SUS).
Bellini Duct Carcinoma: A Rare and Neglected Kidney Cancer Project Seeking Global Research Collaboration
Bellini duct carcinoma, also known as collecting duct carcinoma, is one of the rarest and most aggressive forms of kidney cancer, accounting for about 1% of renal tumors and often presenting at an advanced stage. Despite its clinical severity, it remains a neglected disease with limited evidence and few dedicated research efforts.
From Air Pollution to Cancer Risk: Why Oncology Must Lead the Conversation
Air pollution is often framed as an environmental or urban planning issue. Yet the evidence is unequivocal: the air we breathe is directly linked to cancer risk. For the oncology community, this is not a peripheral concern; it is central to prevention, equity, and long-term cancer control. The World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have classified outdoor air pollution and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as Group 1 carcinogens.
Advancing Equitable HPV Prevention in Kenya: A Critical Roundtable at Africa Health Business Symposium 2026
As Africa advances toward universal health coverage and stronger, more resilient health systems, women’s cancers; particularly cervical cancer remains a defining test of equity, access, and coordinated action. Despite being one of the most preventable cancers, cervical cancer continues to disproportionately affect women in low- and middle-income countries, exposing persistent gaps in prevention, early detection, and timely treatment.
VIKTORIA-1: Gedatolisib Combinations Expand Post–CDK4/6 Treatment Options in PIK3CA Wild-Type Breast Cancer
Despite the widespread use of CDK4/6 inhibitors in hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, most patients eventually develop resistance, and optimal post-CDK4/6 treatment sequencing remains unclear. Activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR (PAM) pathway is a key mechanism of resistance, providing a strong biologic rationale for targeting this pathway to restore endocrine sensitivity and potentially overcome CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance.
DARE Trial: Phase II Study of ctDNA-Guided Intervention in ER+/HER2− Early Breast Cancer — Investigator Perspective
In estrogen receptor–positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer, disease recurrence may occur many years after initial diagnosis despite completion of standard adjuvant therapy. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) monitoring has emerged as a potential approach to detect molecular relapse, defined as the presence of tumor-derived DNA in plasma in the absence of clinical or radiologic evidence of disease.
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