What is the significance of conducting international collaborative studies in Asia?

What is the role of the National Cancer Center Hospital in Asia?

The National Cancer Center Hospital has established close partnerships in the field of clinical studies with Europe and America, as well as South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other countries. The ATLAS project will strengthen the existing network and expand it to several Asian countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, and Indonesia, to further develop cancer treatments.

Why focus on Asia now?

Asia accounts for about 60% of the world’s population. It has been said that in the future, Asian countries will continue to experience economic development while their populations rapidly age, much like Japan. Against this background, it is expected that the number of cancer patients will increase rapidly, especially in the Asian region. In fact, the total number of newly diagnosed cancer patients in the Asian countries involved with ATLAS exceeds two million per year, which is almost the same number as in the United States.

Under these circumstances, the development of cancer treatments in Asia is becoming increasingly important. However, because the Asian region is a collection of many countries, it is difficult to conduct large-scale clinical studies in just one country. Therefore, Asian countries will need to collaborate with each other to conduct such studies in a streamlined manner.

Furthermore, it is known that far more people in Asia suffer from cancers such as gastric cancer, head and neck cancer, biliary tract cancer, and cervical cancer than in the United States or Europe. However, until now, cancer treatment development has been led by the West, which has not necessarily produced many superior treatments for cancers specific to Asia. In the future, Asia must take the lead in developing treatment for these cancers specific to Asia.

Against this backdrop, a network was needed to promote the development of cancer treatments not only in Japan but throughout Asia. By conducting clinical studies throughout Asia, we can expect to generate more rapid and superior treatments for cancers specific to Asia. Herein lies the significance of the ATLAS project in Asia.

How will you cooperate with the people of Asia?

Even with the advantage of having a large number of cancer patients, is it possible for Asian countries to work together to develop cancer treatments, and in particular, carry out clinical trials?

We believe that they can. Medical institutions joining ATLAS are selected from those that are actively conducting the largest number of clinical trials in their respective countries. In addition, through the ATLAS project, the infrastructure for conducting clinical trials is being strengthened by activities such as securing human resources and investing in equipment to ensure that clinical trials can be conducted at a high level of quality. Furthermore, educational exchanges are also ongoing, with online educational seminars and symposiums being actively organized.

In terms of research, multiple international collaborative studies have actually been initiated in parallel, organized by Japan and involving Asian countries. We expect that the ATLAS network will only become stronger through these kinds of practical activities.