Recently, the Yonsei Cancer Center (YCC) at Severance Hospital was certified by FDA, USA as the top grade; *NAI (No action indicated), for its conduct in clinical research. FDA performed this inspection to make sure the quality of the study and confidence of result for the trial with Alimta from Lilly (PI: Prof. Kim JH). YCC has conducted a clinical research study, in year 2005-2007, with Alimta (ingredient: Pemetrexed), which is a chemotherapy treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. This trial was performed on patients with advanced lung cancer whereby no standard treatment is available for their condition. Results from this clinical trial were well-collected and properly documented. The well conduct of this trial has resulted YCC being awarded the NAI certification. This awarded certificate is one of the official evidence that documents the great improvement in the quality of clinical research in Korea.

Link: http://www.dailymedi.com/news/opdb/index.php?cmd=view&dbt=article&cate=class2&code=110424

The Severance Hospital has just achieved full accreditation from the AAHRPP (Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Program). This accreditation contributes to improve the global quality of clinical research scientifically, medically and ethically alongside with JCI (Joint Commission international), an internationally approved accreditation.

Link: http://sev.iseverance.com/ctc/news/trials/view.asp?con_no=43373&page=1&SearchField=&SearchWord

Source: The Strait Times, A02
Date: 01 Feb 2010

TEACHER Alvin Chew wonders if his father, who died of blood cancer last year, would still be alive today if he had been admitted to a clinical trial. Such trials sometimes allow patients access to drugs that have yet to be commercially available.

As medical care in Singapore improves, its attraction to large pharmaceutical companies needing to carry out fast and high-quality studies of their new medication has gone up as well.

This gives patients here a chance at cutting-edge medicines that could make a difference between recovery and death.

But as Mr Chew, 39, found out, it is not easy for a patient to learn about such trials. He had asked the oncologist about such trials, when his father was not responding to the standard treatment. But the private doctor was not very helpful.

That is not surprising, since the majority of such trials are done in the public sector. It is possible that the oncologist was not aware of the relevant trials that were being carried out here, since the information is not easy to come by.

This is unlike the situation in countries like the United States, where all clinical trials are listed. A clinical trials registry provides information on what the purpose of the trial is, who is heading it, where it is being done, who may participate, and a phone number for people to contact.

Read more: Local info on clinical trials can help patients

Source: The Jakarta Post, Body and Soul
Date: 24 Feb 2010 11:47AM
Dr. Alex Chang, Singapore

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrollable abnormal growth of transformed cells invading healthy tissues in our body. It is a major health concern not only among Asians but people worldwide.

In the medical profession and realm of research, a war on cancer is being waged. This “war on cancer” essentially involves using research to improve the understanding of cancer biology in the hope of creating more effective treatments for patients.

You might ask, “Is medical science making advances in cancer research and treatments that are making a difference?”

Read more: Health sense: Are we winning the war against cancer?