What May the Future of Cancer Treatment Look Like?

While cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally, advancements are being made that have increased survival rates and provided hope for significantly better outcomes in the future. What are some of the specific areas on which oncology research is focused?

More Precise Treatments and Earlier Detection

Much of the cancer research is focused on developing more precise, less toxic therapies and ways to detect cancer at earlier stages.

More Precise, Less Harmful Therapies

Precision Oncology

Precision oncology focuses on analyzing the genetic and molecular characteristics of individual patients’ cancer tumors. By identifying cellular changes driving the cancer, personalized treatments can be developed. These customized treatment plans are formulated to ensure the right drug and dosage are administered at the optimal time, potentially minimizing damage to healthy cells, and reducing side effects.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy harnesses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. It stimulates the body’s immune system to recognize and fight cancer cells and suppress certain cancer cell mechanisms.

CAR T-Cell Therapy

CAR T-cell therapy involves removing and genetically altering immune cells (called T-cells) from cancer patients to recognize and fight cancer cells. The transformed cells are then returned to the patient’s body.

Small-Molecule Targeted Therapies

Small-molecule targeted therapies look to prevent cancer cells from multiplying and spreading by disrupting molecular targets in or on the cancer cells.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) are molecules which consist of an antibody attached to a chemotherapy payload. When administered, the antibody component targets and binds to the tumor cells. part of the molecule homes in on and binds to the tumor cells. The ADC is then absorbed by the cancer cell, sparing healthy cells from harm.

Earlier Detection

Cancer researchers are also looking at ways to identify cancer at earlier stages. 

These include:

• The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create a risk-based screening process for common cancers at earlier stages. AI may be used to analyze X-rays to identify cancer in places where imaging experts may not be available
• Liquid and synthetic biopsies – Using less invasive forms of biopsies, such as blood samples and synthetic biopsies to force cancer cells to reveal themselves at the earliest stages of the disease
• Studying the DNA of cancer cells to identify new clues about the causes of cancer and to identify different mutations that may have led to a patient’s cancer diagnosis

The Potential Investment Opportunity

The growth in the number of cancer cases globally has and will likely continue to create demand for more effective cancer diagnostic tools and treatment therapies. Companies that can identify and produce therapeutics that help better identify and more effectively treat cancer may offer individuals a potentially attractive investment opportunity.

How May Investors Gain Exposure to Companies in the Oncology Therapeutics Industry?

The Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF

The Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF (CNCR) seeks to track the performance, before fees and expenses, of the Range Oncology Therapeutics Index. The index aims to track the performance of a portfolio of stocks that are involved in the development and distribution of oncology drugs and treatments.

Disclosures

All investing involves risk, and asset allocation and diversification do not guarantee a profit or protection against a loss. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, might be worth more or less than their original cost. ETFs are subject to risks similar to those of stocks, as well as other risks specific to the particular ETF.

ETF shares are traded on exchanges and are traded and priced throughout the trading day. ETFs permit an investor to purchase a selling interest in a portfolio of stocks throughout the trading day. Because ETFs trade on an exchange, ETF shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV). The prices of ETFs may sometimes vary significantly from the NAVs of an ETFs’ underlying securities. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

The Fund is a recently organized investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors have no track record or history on which to base their investment decision. Moreover, investors will not be able to evaluate the Fund against one or more comparable funds on the basis of relative performance until the Fund has established a track record.

The Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF is offered by prospectus. Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. This and other important information can be found in the CNCR ETF prospectus, which should be read carefully before investing and can be obtained here or by calling 1-800-617-0004.

Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC serves as the investment advisor to the Fund. The Fund is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC. Quasar is not affiliated with Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC.

Cancer Therapeutics Companies Risk. The success of Cancer Therapeutics Companies heavily depends on the outcomes of clinical trials and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals for the development of new drugs and other treatments for cancer-related conditions. These companies face risks related to the failure of clinical trials, unforeseen safety issues, delays in the regulatory approval process, or failure to obtain approvals altogether. Cancer Therapeutics Companies are highly dependent on the development, procurement and marketing of drugs and the protection and exploitation of intellectual property rights. Changes in healthcare policies, reimbursement rates, patent laws, or regulations governing drug development and commercialization can significantly impact industry and individual companies. These changes may affect profitability, market access, and the viability of certain products or technologies.