Economy and health are getting closer. And not only when it comes to planning investments and therapeutic approaches, through appropriate paths. But also and above all when the data relating to the survival after a disease with the economic conditions in which you live.
Just think, in this sense, of a European research, conducted within the Euroca-6 project (European Cancer Registry Based Study On Survival and Care of Cancer Patient), which involved 27 European countries and over one million and 150 thousand patients suffering from onco-hematological pathologies. The investigation revealed the existence of a significant link between the extent of the national health expenditure and the survival of affected patients from hematological tumor.
We are talking about pathologies such as leukemias, lymphomas and myelomas, for which the search for innovative therapies is fervent and continues to produce new care perspectives, including (when indicated) the Car-T.
Funds means treatments
The study, which saw the collaboration of the IRCCS Foundation National Cancer Institute of Milan (INT) and of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), provides a thorough analysis of long -term survival for hematological tumors, such as lymphomas, leukemias and myelomas. The results of this research have recently been published on Lancet Oncology and Journal of Cancer.
Substantially from the investigations it emerges as in countries capable of allocating high resources to healthcarethe probability of survival for patients with hematological cancer is significantly higher than countries with less national health expenditure. In particular, Eastern European countries, which invest less in healthcarehave a 10-year survival from the diagnosis almost halved compared to the countries that invest more, 33% against 62% (Denmark, Norway and Switzerland) for the non-hodgkin lymphoma.
This pattern is evident for large -large B -cell lymphoma (34% vs 58%), mantellar lymphoma (21% vs 61%), follicular lymphoma (40% vs 81%), acute myeloid leukemia (6% vs 21%) and chronic myeloid leukemia (31% vs 65%).
In Italythe survival for hematological cancer is in line or slightly higher than the European average: after 10 years from the diagnosis survives 58% of patients with non-hodgkin lymphoma, against an average of 55% in Europe, and 52% of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, both in Italy and in Europe.
Focus on investments
Claudia Friday, doctor, researcher at the IRCCS Foundation National Cancer Institute of Milan and Coordinator of the study, commented:
“Our study unequivocally shows that the Investments in Healthcareespecially in research and therapeutic innovation, they have a direct impact on the survival of patients with hematological cancer. For some pathologies, such as acute myeloid leukemia, survival at 10 years is still too low, highlighting the urgency of a greater commitment in increting the funds for research and for innovative treatments “.
On the same wavelength Silvia Rossi, researcher at the Superior Institute of Health and Co-author of the study.
“The great differences in survival found between European countries are most likely linked to a different degree of access to care and to one different availability and use of effective treatments. Italy, although aligned to the European average, does not reach the survival levels obtained from the countries with greater investments. It is therefore necessary to increase financing in healthcare to further improve the possibilities of treatment for onco-hematological patients “.
The project benefited from important European funds, including those deriving from the Joint Action IPAAC (innovative partnership for action against cancer). The results of this study underline the importance of continuing with the support for scientific research To improve the quality and life expectancy of hematological cancer patients.
When the car-t serve
While increasing the therapeutic paraphernalia available to hematologists, with increasingly “intelligent” drugs and targeted on a case-by-case basis, the shirts for the use of Car-Ts are also expanding.
Pier Luigi Zinzani, Professor of Hematology Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, director of Hematology Institute “L. and A. Seràgnoli” IRCCS Hospital-University of Bologna and President Sie “Italian Society of Hematology) recently remembered it.
“To date, the list of Car-T indicates with the use of the use in hematological tumors has become very long. Starting from the beginning, we have as its indication on the national territory for large-cell diffused lymphomas a car-t product in the second line and three car-t products in the third line; as regards follicular lymphomas we have a car-t product in the third line and another product in the fourth line; for the mantellar lymphoma we have a single product in the third line, but in the third line, Next months we will surely have another product with the second line for large -widespread lymphoma B. On the other hand, in the field of multiple myeloma we have a product in the fourth line and will arrive by the end of the year a product in the second line; The development of the second generation of the autologous car-t, as it is also necessary to consider the part of the accommodation car-t for which to date there is still no official indication but only studies in progress. Certainly optimal compared to the heavily pre-trained patient, who sometimes no longer responds to the rigorous eligibility criteria necessary to receive the Car-T. “
In short, weapons increase. But you need to think about the System sustainability. Also in light of the developments of the ever better care and perspectives that can be offered to the sick. To date, May 2025, there are over 40 centers labeled as Car-T centers, authorized to administer these cellular therapies; When we left, more than five years ago, they were no more than 5-6.
