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Fyza Yusuf Shaikh
Must fight cancer and ‘superbugs’ at the same time
By Dr. Cynthia L. Sears and Dr. Fyza Yusuf Shaikh
As two physicians who have devoted our lives to studying cancer, we’re thrilled with President Biden’s “Cancer Moonshot” initiative to halve the disease’s death rate within 25 years. But it won’t achieve that goal unless we act on a lesser-known health crisis.
For many cancer patients who die, their tumors aren’t solely responsible. Superbugs sicken these patients, who can’t fight off infections due to weakened immune systems — even with the help of antibiotics.
Reducing deaths from cancer requires an equally aggressive strategy for defeating drug-resistant infections.
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Cynthia L. Sears
It does not make sense to treat these two crises as separate. It’s already estimated that infections are a primary or associated cause of death in roughly 50% of cancer patients.
Without an effort to neutralize the threat posed by superbugs, these deadly infections will disrupt any progress we make in the fight against cancer.
Superbugs are bacteria and fungi that have developed antimicrobial resistance — a naturally occurring defense against the drugs used to kill them.
We’ve seen firsthand how cancer patients are vulnerable to these deadly infections. Time and again, we’ve watched as patients fighting cancer developed bacterial infections that were highly resistant to antibiotics.
Superbugs can prove fatal for our patients. The risk of someone with cancer dying from an infection is three times higher than the risk for an individual without cancer.
A drug-resistant infection may also force a cancer patient to halt their treatment. A young woman with a drug-resistant abdominal infection might not get the bone marrow transplant she needs to cure her leukemia. For patients undergoing chemotherapy, an infection can delay their treatment while the cancer continues to grow, leading to complications and worse health outcomes.
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Fyza Yusuf Shaikh
In short, for cancer patients, the superbug crisis isn’t some far-off threat — it’s a present mortal danger.
Unfortunately, the pipeline for new antibiotics is nowhere near what is needed. At present, there are 64 therapies in clinical development. To put that in perspective, there are more than 1,000 drugs in development for cancer.
Because antibiotics are meant to be used judiciously to preserve their effectiveness, it’s essentially impossible for companies to earn back the money they’ve invested in researching and developing those medicines using typical sales.
It’s for this reason that antibiotic startups have declared bankruptcy or left the industry in recent years.
This market failure demands reforms. The PASTEUR Act would create a system in which the government purchases a “subscription” for access to new antibiotics, instead of paying per dose. PASTEUR would pay for the value of these medicines rather than their volume, giving companies the return on investment they depend on.
The fight against cancer is poised to make enormous strides in the coming years. Yet without an equally energetic effort to beat back superbugs, too many cancer patients will still lose their lives.
Cynthia L. Sears is an infectious diseases physician and professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Fyza Yusuf Shaikh is an oncologist and assistant professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. This piece originally ran in the Baltimore Sun.
Local News
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Intense dance performance nets Evergreen Park sixth place at state finals
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Cool customers: Chicago Christian snaps losing streak with tight win over Shepard
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Chicago Christian’s players acted cool after the game. No yelling. No jumping around. No histrionics. It was a subdued celebration after a 44-40 road victory over Shepard on Jan. 26 in the Battle of Palos Heights. The Knights acted like they had been there before, even though the…
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Setting the standard: Sandburg seniors show underclassmen how it’s done
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A long time coming: Oak Lawn wins first conference title in 39 years
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Trying to see the sunny side of life
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Newman backs Starbucks unionization
Spread the love U.S. Rep Marie Newman (D-3rd) recently stood with those who support unionization of Starbucks workers, outside its shop in nearby La Grange. She called unionization “the moral, correct and right thing to do.” Workers are attempting to organize under the banner of Chicago and Midwest Joint Board, Workers United, an affiliate of the…
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A new look for an old friend
Spread the loveBy Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 The West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St., is finally open. I visited on their re-opening day. The library has a more open and airy feel. It is fresh and clean. The walls have been painted and there is new carpeting. The…
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So long, and see you around
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It truly is a small world
Spread the loveBy Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 I have been attending St Rita Church for many years now. In that time, I have come to know many people who are now or have been a part of the parish. Some I knew because…
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Jobs opportunities abound
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Neighbors
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Niego Real Estate salutes America again
Spread the love. Popular flag program underway . By Tim Hadac Clearing and Garfield Ridge residents who want to decorate their blocks in red, white and blue this Independence Day are encouraged to contact Niego Real Estate and reserve a supply of U.S. flags at no charge. The popular program to promote patriotism and community…
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Lyons Mental Health Commission pulls LeaderShop funding
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Mount Carmel, Marist and Oak Lawn among 84 teams at Riverside-Brookfield shootout
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Dog lovers to celebrate ‘Fur of July’
Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . I’m starting out with some fun news. The West Lawn Dog Park Advisory Council will be hosting a Fur of July Pet Parade on Saturday, June 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at West Lawn…
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Fourth of July not happy for everyone
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Happy Fourth of July. Cannot believe I am already saying that, time sure goes. Hope it is safe and quiet for everyone and especially all of our house pets. For us its shutting…
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St. Rita’s transformation is worth a look
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Loss to Courage brings Red Stars’ winless streak to five games
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Summer League Basketball | Illinois powers compete at Riverside-Brookfield Shootout
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Dana Rettke and Ryan Murphy heading to Paris Summer Games
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