USA TODAY Letter to the Editor Don't Overlook Cancer Research Triumphs
(Published July 21, 2006)

As a scientist, I am troubled by recent stories in USA TODAY that trivialize the promise of targeted therapies, dismiss a decade of progress and ignore the realities of cancer research ("Prices soar for cancer drugs," News, July 11).

It's disheartening to see achievements such as a doubling of survival in advanced colon cancer so easily dismissed. These seemingly small steps against cancer lay the necessary groundwork for giant leaps forward. New cancer treatments are typically developed for the sickest of patients, and years of further investment and research are required to show their full potential.

For example, our breast cancer drug Herceptin was approved in 1998 for women with an aggressive form of advanced breast cancer on the basis of a four-month increase in survival. Last year, studies found Herceptin can cut in half a woman's risk of cancer recurrence when used against early disease — an advance that could save as many as 10,000 lives each year.

We understand societal concerns about health care costs and realize treatments can't help patients who are unable to afford them. Last year, Genentech Inc. provided $200 million of free medicine to 18,000 patients, and in response to an evolving insurance environment, we have donated $27 million to charities that assist the growing number of patients struggling with significant co-pays.

The reality is nearly half of Americans will develop cancer in their lifetime; yet, cancer medications currently account for less than 1% of our total health care spending. The challenges of balancing cost, benefit and access extend beyond cancer medications. Our researchers will continue to work each day toward the difficult goal of curing cancer by following a steady path of small steps. Our national discussion on health care and its delivery must be a broad one, and focus on building an equitable system that encourages medical advances — and access to them — today and for future generations.

Art Levinson
CEO, Genentech Inc.