| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SINGAPORE: Singapore's largest ever medical research project will focus on gastric or stomach cancer.
S$25 million will be spent on research in this field over the next five years.
Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer among males in Singapore.
Each year, 600 people are diagnosed with it and 400 die from it.
But these numbers could soon be reduced if the Singapore Gastric Cancer Consortium achieves results.
It is bringing together clinicians and researchers from four public hospitals, two universities, and leading research institutes such as the Genome Institute of Singapore.
Yong Ying-I, Permanent Secretary, Health Ministry, Co-Chair, Biomedical Science Executive Committee, said: "Gastric cancer is a major killer and if they are able to bring together different expertise, it will be of great benefit to patients... so this is why the Ministry of Health is extremely excited about this project."
At the National University of Singapore, a cohort study involving 4,000 people will hopefully allow researchers to identify bio markers of gastric cancer.
This could mean that in future, the risk of getting gastric cancer can be determined by a blood test.
Currently, many die from the disease because it is detected too late.
Research would hopefully make it easier for patients to be screened early.
At the National Cancer Centre, researchers will be looking at cancer-causing genes.
With enough information, they could develop personalised treatment plans for different patients with different genes, thereby increasing the chances of survival.
National University Hospital (NUH) is where patients may get to test these cutting edge research techniques, at no cost.
Said Dr Yong Wei Peng, Principal Investigator, Consultant, Cancer Institute at NUH, "We hope to bring in new drugs for patients [for whom] standard treatment has been exhausted. So hopefully for advanced stages of cancer, this group of patients will benefit through availability of new drugs."
The team assures patients that its work is in line with international standards.
Associate Professor Yeoh Khay Guan, Lead Principal Investigator, Singapore Gastric Cancer Consortium, said: "We're part of a research programme called the ICBC - the International Cancer Biomarker Consortium – [which] links up cancer centres and research groups across the world. It's led by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Centre in Seattle USA."
The project is the most extensive and well integrated research project in Singapore so far.
It is significant because it marks Singapore's entry into Phase Two of the Biomedical Sciences Initiative, which aims to bring research from bench to bedside, to benefit patients.
The proposal was selected out of 17 applications.
In the months ahead, another four research projects will be announced in the fields of infectious diseases, eye diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and neurosciences.
S$1.5 billion has been set aside for the second phase of the Biomedical Sciences Initiative, which aims to position Singapore as a leader in scientific and medical research. - CNA/yy
|
