PanOncology Trials presenta una estrategia integral de marketing de contenidos diseñada para fortalecer su posicionamiento como la principal red de investigación clínica en oncología en Puerto Rico. Esta propuesta busca mejorar la comunicación con médicos y pacientes, optimizar su presencia digital y educar sobre los beneficios de participar en estudios clínicos, ampliando así su alcance, visibilidad e impacto en la Isla.
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Lung cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. In Puerto Rico, patients with lung cancer now have new evaluation options and access to clinical research protocols that explore new treatment approaches as part of individualized care.
“The ability to evaluate patients locally for new options is important because it brings clinical research closer to patients in Puerto Rico within a clearly defined scientific and ethical framework,” said Dr. Marcia Cruz Correa, a gastroenterologist specializing in oncology.
Studies available in Puerto Rico include protocols for patients with non-small cell lung cancer who have specific molecular alterations, such as EGFR and KRAS mutations, as well as protocols for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. These studies evaluate combinations of targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy under rigorously designed clinical protocols.
“Every case of lung cancer is different. Being able to consider investigational options as part of a structured medical evaluation adds an important dimension to patient care,” said Cruz Correa, medical director of the PANONCOLOGY network.
These options are especially relevant because lung cancer remains a challenge in oncology, both because of how the disease behaves and because of its impact on survival and quality of life. “In this context, clinical research is essential to continuing to build scientific evidence and investigate new treatment strategies,” Cruz Correa added.
According to the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry, an average of 759 people per year were diagnosed with cancer of the lung and bronchus in Puerto Rico between 2018 and 2022, a figure that reflects the burden of the disease on the island.
“Lung cancer affects the entire family and often forces people to make decisions at a time of great uncertainty. That’s why it’s important for people to know that there are options in Puerto Rico that they can explore through an individualized medical evaluation, especially when they need to look beyond conventional options,” said Dr. María Victoria García Pallas, director of thoracic oncology.
Options in Puerto Rico may include evaluations for patients with different subtypes of lung cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. In some cases, these options depend on the characteristics of the tumor, the stage of the disease, the molecular profile, and the patient’s medical history. These factors require individualized medical guidance.
“Eligibility varies from one option to another, which is why medical guidance and clinical evaluation are so important. These options are available in Puerto Rico, and patients can learn about them and work with their medical team to determine whether any might be appropriate for them,” García Pallas added.
Each protocol has specific criteria based on the tumor type, disease stage, molecular profile, and patient’s medical history. Determining whether a patient may take part requires an individualized review against the protocol’s clinical and scientific criteria.
Services are offered through a network of oncology and innovation centers in San Juan, Mayagüez, Ponce, Cayey, Manatí, Bayamón, and Dorado. The network aims to expand access to evaluation, treatment, and clinical research options for several types of cancer in Puerto Rico.
Community physicians and interested patients can learn more about these lung cancer studies by consulting an oncologist, calling PanOncology at (787) 407-3333, or emailing info@panoncologytrials.com. More information about the network and its clinical studies is available at panoncologytrials.com.