Comment by robwwilliams

The explanation of “How” is not made well. Here is the crux:

“This improvement in survival reflects the impact of intensive treatment regimens. These treatments usually still involve years of intensive chemotherapy, which is often physically and mentally challenging and can cause long-term side effects.”

“Intensive treatment regimens” is awkward jargon.

What this should say is “the right dose for the individual patient given their genotype, age, and disease subtype”.

Progress over the last 2+ decades has involved state-of-the-art genotyping of key gene variants involved in handling various aspects of cancer therapeutics: drug transporters, drug metabolizing genes (P450-type), and genes that modulate excretion rates.

What also must be highlighted is MAJOR progress in remission and survival without any major changes in the actual drug armamentarium (until very recently).

Finally a shout-out to NIH programs and extramural support that made much of this possible. And to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, with donations received from around the world. Bravo.