本地领导全球最大T细胞抗癌试验完成 为开发免疫疗法打下基础 (Singapore leads world's largest T-cell cancer trial, laying groundwork for development of immunotherapy)

​On news of the completion of the largest-ever immunotherapy clinical trial on solid tumours such as nasopharyngeal cancer, Prof Goh Boon Cher, Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, said that the process of generating T cells is far more challenging than antibody therapy. He also pointed out that there may be other undiscovered factors in the human immune response to nasopharyngeal cancer. 

• Lianhe Zaobao Online, 19 November 2024, 全球最大T细胞抗癌试验落幕 疗效有限但指引未来方向
  

七旬私教患乳癌 勇战病魔学慢活 (Private tutor in her 70s bravely fights breast cancer, learns to slow down in life)

​Madam Lim Boon Kiang, 70, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in National University Hospital. After much persuasion from her doctors and family members, she stopped work to complete her surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy at National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) by the second half of 2021. Dr Rachel Wong, Associate Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS, referred Madam Lim for rehabilitation after the private tutor experienced fatigue, a known side effect of her cancer treatment. Dr Wong explained how keeping active with regular exercises is important for all cancer patients.

Stronger together

​The Straits Times feature on how families work through illness and disability highlighted the story of 87-year-old heart patient Dr C.K. Murthy who, following an open-heart surgery and mitral valve repair procedure at National University Heart Centre, Singapore, was able to resume both his daily exercise as well as marathon-running with his family. The article also featured patient Mr Muhd Akhbar, who is now in remission from cancer after receiving part of his treatment at National University Cancer Institute, Singapore.

本地专家研究发现让治脑癌如服感冒药 (Local expert's findings make curing brain cancer as simple as taking cold medicine)

​Asst Prof Vincent Nga, Head & Senior Consultant in the Division of Neurosurgery at National University Hospital (NUH) and Senior Consultant in the Division of Surgical Oncology at National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, said vorasidenib is the first FDA approved targeted treatment for low-grade glioma brain tumours, which is clinically meaningful. He added that the condition typically affects young and seemingly healthy patients, so with the new drug, these patients now have an alternative to surgery. 

本地科学家脑癌研究发现 造就药厂开发口服脑癌药 (Research by local scientists on brain cancer leads pharmaceutical company to develop oral drug)

​Asst Prof Vincent Nga, Senior Consultant in the Division of Surgical Oncology at National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, said vorasidenib is the first FDA approved targeted treatment for low-grade glioma brain tumours, which is clinically meaningful. He added that the condition typically affects young and seemingly healthy patients, so with the new drug, these patients now have an alternative to surgery.

Singapore unveils Women’s Health Conference 2024 with a call for prevention and early detection of NCD in women

​The Women’s Health Conference 2024, co-hosted by the Global Centre for Asian Women’s Health (GloW) at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, highlights the need to support women’s health throughout their lives. Experts speaking at the conference include Adj A/Prof Chee Cheng Ean, Executive Director, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Prof Chong Yap Seng, Dean of NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Prof Zhang Cuilin from GloW at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Prof Brian Kennedy, Director of the Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme and Bia-Echo Asia Centre for Reproductive Longevity and Equality at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

The boy who was saved from a rare blood cancer by experimental treatment in Singapore

Viet Tai, a Vietnamese boy diagnosed with a rare form of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, sought experimental treatment at National University Hospital (NUH) Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute (KTP-NUCMI) after chemotherapy failed to work. Throughout the ordeal, Viet Tai endured isolation and gruelling treatments, but is now cancer-free and leading a normal life. His journey highlights the importance of hope, resilience, and exploring all medical and financial resources available when facing rare cancers.

Prof Allen Yeoh, Head and Senior Consultant, Division of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, NUH KTP-NUCMI and National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, and VIVA-Goh Foundation Professor in Paediatric Oncology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, shared how the CD7 CAR T-cell therapy helped Viet Tai in his leukaemia journey.

• CNA Youtube, 10 October 2024

• CNA Facebook, 10 October 2024
  

• CNA Instagram, 10, October 2024

• The Asianparent, 10 October 2024

• Medical Channel Asia Facebook, 10 October 2024
  

CytoMed Therapeutics’ first-in-human Phase I ANGELICA clinical trial using its patented donor allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T cell) against blood and solid tumours received co-funding support from the NMRC Clinical Trial Grant

​CytoMed Therapeutics has obtained full approval for its first-in-human Phase I clinical trial using its patented allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell against several blood and solid tumours in collaboration with National University Hospital. Dr Anand Jeyasekharan, lead investigator of the study and Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, said the investigator-initiated trial protocol has been carefully developed with a team of experts in early phase trials, CAR-T cells and allogenic transplantation.

• Markets Insider, 7 October 2024
  
• GlobeNewswire, 7 October 2024
  
• MarketScreener, 7 October 2024
  

அந்திமகால பராமரிப்புக்கான தேவை அதிகரிப்பு (Increasing demand for end-of-life care)

​Over 40 leaders from National University Health System and other health clusters shared best practices to enhance synergy in end-of-life care at the Singapore Hospice Council's Palliative Care Quality Improvement Conference (SPCQIC). Dr Yee Choon Meng, Head & Senior Consultant, Division of Palliative Care, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, and Chairman, SPCQIC Organising Committee, emphasised the need to develop capabilities to address the increasing demand for end-of-life care as the population ages.

绝经后出血别大意 当心子宫内膜癌 (Don't take post-menopausal bleeding lightly, beware of endometrial cancer)

​After being diagnosed with stage 1 endometrial cancer in National University Hospital (NUH), Mdm Yon Yuet Meng, 54, had minimally invasive surgery to remove her uterus, cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes and was discharged a day later. Her doctor, A/Prof Jeffrey Low, Head & Senior Consultant, Division of Gynaecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, NUH, who is also Head & Senior Consultant, Division of Gynaecologic Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, said endometrial cancer is more common in post-menopausal women. He has also observed that more women in their 30s are afflicted by this type of cancer, which is associated with obesity. A/Prof Low explained the risk factors for ovarian and cervical cancers and offered recommendations for screening based on different age groups. 

六旬妇腹痛切盲肠 惊悉患胃癌第四期 (Woman in her 60s undergoes appendix removal surgery after having abdominal pain; shocked to learn that she had stage 4 gastric cancer)

​Mdm Hau Chan Kim, 65, was diagnosed with stage 4 gastric cancer and peritoneal spread after undergoing an appendix removal surgery. Despite the grim prognosis, she remained positive and underwent intraperitoneal chemotherapy, which she responded well to. Mdm Hau also contributed her tumour cell tissues for research spearheaded by a team comprising clinicians and researchers from National University Hospital, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National Cancer Centre Singapore, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Duke-NUS Medical School. 

NUH develops AI tool to accelerate lumbar spinal stenosis diagnosis

​Spine AI is a deep learning tool developed in-house by National University Hospital (NUH) in collaboration with a team from the NUS School of Computing and the National University Spine Institute. Dr Andrew Makmur, Group Chief Technology Officer at National University Health System and Consultant in the Department of Diagnostic Imaging at NUH, said previously when radiologists had to read and analyse MRI scans, the process can be labour-intensive and repetitive. He said there is great potential for Spine AI to augment radiologists’ efficiency and allow them to focus on more complex cases.

• Singapore Business Review, 14 September 2024, NUH develops AI tool to accelerate lumbar spinal stenosis diagnosis
  

• Healthcare IT News, 13 September 2024, NUH AI interprets spinal stenosis in '47 seconds' and more AI briefs
  

BeiGene Singapore raises awareness for World Lymphoma Awareness Day 2024: It's time for honest talk

​This year marks the 20th anniversary of World Lymphoma Awareness Day. Individuals seeking guidance on how to start conversations on lymphoma can turn to resources available across Singapore, such as National University Cancer Institute, Singapore.

• Weekender, 13 September 2024
• ValueBuddies, 13 September 2024
  
• Yahoo News, 13 September 2024
  

NUS Medicine uses AI platform to effectively treat patient with rare cancer

​Researchers from the Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM) at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine leveraged small amounts of data from a single patient with a rare disease to guide his treatment, with promising results. The team works closely with National University Cancer Institute, Singapore clinicians to utilise an AI platform called CURATE.AI to optimise personalised medication dose for patients.

Novel 'spray’ gives hope to patients with advanced gastric cancer

​A new clinical trial led by researchers from National University Hospital (NUH), National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National Cancer Centre Singapore and Duke-NUS Medical School has shown that using a novel pressurised intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy technique to administer chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity, combined with immunotherapy through the bloodstream, could significantly improve survival rates for patients with gastric cancer peritoneal metastases. The same team also discovered the crucial role of the tumour microenvironment in the spread of gastric cancer, using advanced genomic analysis to identify specific genetic factors contributing to metastasis.