The Asia-Pacific Hepatocellular Carcinoma (AHCC) Trials Group unveiled new information on the genetics of liver cancer as well as recommendations on treating the disease at its scientific forum.
• Liver cancer carries very high genetic differences between cancer cells within the same tumour
• Latest recommendations for administration of radiation therapy Y90 SIRT
• Liver cancer is third most deadly cancer, and fourth most-common cancer among males
Every year, one million new patients around the world are diagnosed with liver cancer, and 70 per cent of these cases are from Asia. In Singapore, liver cancer is the third most fatal cancer and the fourth most common cancer among males.
On 28 May, the Asia-Pacific Hepatocellular Carcinoma (AHCC) Trials Group unveiled new information on the genetics of liver cancer as well as recommendations on treating the disease at its scientific forum.
AHCC is a Singapore-led partnership between National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), Singapore Clinical Research Institute (SCRI) and more than 35 major medical centres across 17 countries in Asia-Pacific.
The first of the two focal points of the forum was new findings from a collaborative study between NCSS and Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS). The study investigated how genes in liver cancer may differ from patient to patient.
The study showed that in addition to genetic differences among individuals, liver cancer carries very high genetic differences between cancer cells within the same tumour.
This high intra-tumoral heterogeneity explains the low efficacy of current targeted drugs in many cancers. Between 2002 and 2012, the 71 anti-cancer drugs approved by FDA increased median Overall Survival by just 2.1 months.
AHCC has plans to conduct a more extensive longitudinal study together with members in the region to improve prognosis for patients.
The second key highlight was the inaugural presentation of the latest recommendations by world class liver cancer experts for administering Y90 SIRT to liver cancer patients who cannot be treated surgically.
“These major highlights, together with the rest of the presentations by worldwide reputable doctors will deepen our understanding towards the treatment and management of liver cancer.”
On 25 May, a panel of experts developed a set of practice guidelines after reviewing the latest scientific data on the clinical use of Y90 SIRT for liver cancer. The panel consisted of surgeons, hepatologists, medical oncologists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.
Professor Pierce Chow, the Protocol Chair of AHCC and Senior Consultant Surgeon at NCCS, explained how AHCC would help to deliver better patient outcomes :
“AHCC Trials Group secures the access to an experienced network of investigators with a demonstrated track record of success in the field of liver cancer research, provides opportunities for face-to-face meetings with key opinion leaders in this field and getting new therapeutic area updates.”
“These major highlights, together with the rest of the presentations by worldwide reputable doctors will deepen our understanding towards the treatment and management of liver cancer.”
