Fighting the Good Fight: Global Experts Unite to Share Oncology Breakthroughs at Asia-Pacific Precision Cancer Treatment Forum

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death globally, and improving survival rates has become a worldwide priority. Precision medicine is seen as the key to breakthroughs in this field. The 4th Asia-Pacific Cancer Precision Medicine Forum brought together top experts from around the world to discuss precision diagnostics for breast and lung cancers, personalized treatments, and international collaboration models to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Notably, Taiwan has achieved several “world-first” milestones in cancer precision medicine, showcasing its strong medical capabilities and innovative technology. The forum, guided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and organized by the Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry (IBMI) and the Research Center for Biotechnology and Medicine Policy, was co-hosted with various domestic and international professional medical institutions. This event promoted global academic and medical collaboration between Taiwan, the Asia-Pacific region, and the international community. It also offered continuing education credits for professionals, advancing expertise and raising professional standards in the medical field worldwide.

Leading the Way in Precision Medicine: Taiwan’s Next-Generation Sequencing Technology and Regulatory Framework

Firstly, Dr. Chi-Huey Wong, President of IBMI, emphasized in his opening speech that Taiwan’s breakthroughs in precision medicine, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of lung and breast cancers, have set a leading example in the Asia-Pacific region. Early lung cancer diagnosis, through next-generation sequencing (NGS) and AI-assisted diagnostics, has significantly improved survival rates. In breast cancer, the use of personalized immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has also markedly improved patient outcomes. He noted that Taiwan has accumulated extensive clinical experience in genetic testing and precision medicine, successfully developing several new targeted drugs that offer more treatment options for global patients.

Following the directive developments of the industry within the scope of NGS and AI technologies, Dr. Pan-Chyr Yang, Vice President of IBMI, provided a detailed overview of the history and future applications of precision medicine. He revisited the 2004 discovery that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are a major driver of lung cancer and cited the 2009 IPASS study, which demonstrated that EGFR mutation-positive patients responded significantly to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). He pointed out that genetic differences between populations, such as the higher frequency of EGFR mutations in Asian patients compared to Caucasians, underscore the importance of precision medicine tailored to population-specific characteristics.

Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative (TPMI): Personalized Treatments Based on Genetic Risk

Furthermore, Dr Yang highlighted the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative (TPMI), which conducts genetic sequencing for one million patients to build predictive models that promote precision health applications. Studies have shown that lung cancer in non-smoking East Asians is closely associated with environmental carcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air pollution and food preservatives, which are highly correlated with EGFR mutations. By accumulating polygenic risk scores (PRS), patients can receive tiered treatments based on their genetic risk.

Building on these advancements, Dr. Yueh-Ping Liu, Director-General of the Department of Medical Affairs at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, pointed out that Taiwan has made significant progress in the field of precision oncology. NGS has been successfully integrated into standard cancer treatment frameworks, and combined with human biobank data governance, a national cancer stratification diagnostic system has been established. This integration of technology and data not only fosters innovation in cancer research and clinical practice but also promotes breakthroughs in precision oncology.

International Challenges and Collaboration Models in Breast and Lung Cancer Treatment

A panel discussion at the forum brought together experts from Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines to explore international challenges and potential solutions in breast cancer treatment. Dr. Dhanoo Lawbundis, Director of Vibharam Hospital in Thailand, and Dr. Ma. Katrina Guillermo, an oncological researcher at the Philippine General Hospital, emphasized the importance of cross-border collaboration. They highlighted how pooling resources, standardizing treatment techniques, and sharing expertise can significantly elevate healthcare standards, ultimately improving breast cancer care across the region.

The first panel discussion highlighted the trends and developments in precision medicine for breast cancer treatment in the Asia-Pacific. Panelists (left to right): Dr. Ma. Katrina Guillermo, Dr. Dhanoo Lawbundis, Dr. Ming-Feng Hou, Dr. Yen-Shen Lu, Dr. Kun-Ming Rau. Image: GeneOnline

The conversation seamlessly transitioned to the topic of precision medicine, with a second panel focusing on the latest trends and developments in lung cancer treatment in the Asia-Pacific region. Experts from Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines discussed the challenges and opportunities surrounding the implementation of precision medicine in lung cancer care.

The second panel discussion explored the collaboration and opportunities for Taiwan and international partners in Lung cancer. Panelists (left to right): Dr. Dhanoo Lawbundis, Dr. Necy Saguisag Juat, Dr. Chih-Hsin Yang, Dr. Te-Chun, Hsia, Dr. Kang-Yun Lee. Image: GeneOnline

Uniform Practice Guidelines and Education: Ensuring Affordability, Accessibility, and Availability

Necy Saguisag Juat, Head of the Medical Oncology Section at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in the Philippines, shared insights into the oncology landscape. She identified barriers such as lack of awareness among clinicians and the public. Additionally, limited access to treatments, especially for primary breadwinners, remains a challenge. She also noted that genomics is still in the early stages of integration into cancer treatment in the Philippines.

Dr. Lawbundis then discussed the cancer situation in Thailand. He emphasized the importance of uniform practice guidelines across the country. Moreover, he called for better resource allocation and increased funding to improve cancer care. Public awareness, he added, must also rise to elevate healthcare standards.

Te-Chun Hsia, Vice-chair of the Department of Internal Medicine and Chief of the Intensive Medicine Center at China Medical University Hospital in Taiwan, offered his perspective on precision medicine affordability. He acknowledged the value of foundation medicine for comprehensive gene testing. However, he argued that smaller, affordable testing panels could be equally effective. Hsia emphasized the need for government support to make these tests accessible to all.

Finally, Kang-Yun Lee, Vice President of Taipei Medical University, highlighted the challenge of limited tissue samples for genetic testing. He noted that 50-60% of lung cancer patients have EGFR mutations, requiring timely testing. Lee proposed multiplex testing to target multiple relevant genes, improving diagnosis and saving costs.

An Allied Effort Against Cancer: The Fourth Asia-Pacific Forum on Precision Cancer Treatment Unites APAC Communities for Improved Patient Outcomes

This dynamic exchange of ideas underscored the region’s collective effort to tackle the pressing challenges in cancer care and precision medicine. With continued collaboration, these experts are helping pave the way for more effective, accessible, and personalized treatments for cancer patients across the Asia-Pacific.

The panelists agreed that cross-border collaboration is essential for integrating resources, standardizing treatment techniques, and sharing expertise. They discussed the importance of clinical trials and the need for national registries to conduct visibility studies. They also highlighted the potential for Taiwan to collaborate with other countries in the region to enhance precision medicine research and clinical applications.

Author

Bernice Lottering