AMR and cancer series

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health issue that needs urgent attention at the global, national and health facility levels. Infections become drug-resistant when the pathogens that cause them adapt and change over time, developing the ability to resist the medicines designed to kill them. The result is that many antimicrobial medicines – like antibiotics and antifungals – are becoming less effective at treating illnesses. The overuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals is speeding up this process. Many antimicrobials like antibiotics and antifungals are vital for routine surgery and lifesaving treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

People with cancer are more susceptible to infections due to the lowering of their immune defences.  As many as one in five cancer patients undergoing treatment is hospitalized due to an infection and infections are the second leading cause of death for people living with cancer [see reference here]. The emergence of drug-resistant pathogens are seriously affecting cancer care outcomes and if action is not taken now, all the progress made in cancer care will be undermined.

In this regard, addressing AMR for better cancer care outcomes is a priority for UICC and the UICC-led AMR and cancer care Task Force. The focus areas identified by the task force include the (i) importance of data and surveillance systems, (ii) ensuring access to treatment including R&D for innovative treatments and good infection prevention and control practises and (iii) multistakeholder collaboration between the cancer and infectious diseases communities. This UICC series of virtual dialogues will focus on these areas.

The first High Level Meeting on AMR took place at the UN General Assembly in 2016 and the next one will take place this year (in September 2024). There is an urgent need for key players to come together in keeping the momentum on innovative ways to address AMR, increase collaborative networks and ensure there is commitment from all the relevant actors. The High Level Meeting must result in clear and measurable action with adequate funding and concrete next steps.