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Summary

Cancer Research Malaysia is at the forefront of developing innovative treatments for cancer, including clinical trials like Piper and Aura, which focus on therapies with fewer side effects tailored for Asian patients. The organization is also pioneering a cancer vaccine that trains the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells, showing promising results in lab studies. Their research is supported entirely by donations and grants, with the aim of providing more effective, less harmful treatment options. By contributing, supporters can help bring these groundbreaking treatments to patients in need and advance cancer care worldwide.

Takeaways

• 😀 Clinical trial 'Piper' aims to test a treatment combination with fewer side effects and easier delivery in Asian settings.
• 😀 Immunotherapy is currently effective in less than 1 in 5 head and neck cancer patients, and efforts are focused on improving response rates.
• 😀 Cancer Research Malaysia is developing a vaccine that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells, with promising lab results showing 90% tumor control.
• 😀 The vaccine is being tested to improve immune responses in head and neck cancer patients, with the potential to extend to liver and lung cancer in the future.
• 😀 CRM’s laboratory facilities include specialized rooms for sample storage, DNA extraction, tissue culture, and fluorescence microscopy.
• 😀 Cancer vaccine therapy combines DNA vaccines with immunotherapy to train immune cells to target cancer cells, leading to reduced tumor growth in animal studies.
• 😀 The vaccine and immunotherapy combination has demonstrated a 97% tumor reduction in animal trials, and CRM is moving toward human clinical trials.
• 😀 Funding for CRM’s research comes from grants (both local and international) as well as donations from companies and individuals.
• 😀 Internship opportunities are available at CRM, with various teams such as bioinformatics, genetic counseling, and oral cancer research offering hands-on experience.
• 😀 Students are encouraged to engage with CRM’s work and ask questions during webinars and other events to learn more about cancer research and treatment advancements.
• 😀 CRM’s work is supported by a mix of public and private sector donations, including major sponsors like Petronas and Yayasan.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the 'Piper' clinical trial?

The 'Piper' clinical trial aims to test a novel combination of drugs that may have fewer side effects and are easier to deliver to patients in Asian settings.

Why do patients participate in clinical trials like 'Piper' and 'Aura'?

Patients enter clinical trials because they have exhausted other treatment options. These trials provide access to promising new treatments that could potentially save their lives.

What percentage of head and neck cancer patients currently respond to immunotherapy?

Currently, less than one in five head and neck cancer patients respond to immunotherapy.

How is the cancer vaccine being developed at Cancer Research Malaysia different from traditional treatments?

The cancer vaccine being developed at Cancer Research Malaysia trains the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, similar to how a soldier is trained to identify and defeat the enemy.

What results have been observed in the laboratory regarding the cancer vaccine?

In the laboratory, the vaccine has shown to control tumor growth, increasing from 65% to over 90%. This is a promising result in preclinical studies.

What are the primary funding sources for Cancer Research Malaysia?

Cancer Research Malaysia is primarily funded by donations, research grants, and collaborations with large companies. Grants, including local and overseas funding, play a key role, but donor support is essential for covering operational costs like salaries.

How does the Cancer Research Malaysia team store and preserve biological samples?

The team stores biological samples in a freezer room, where they keep blood and tissue samples, some of which are over 20 years old. The samples are also preserved in nitrogen tanks at very low temperatures to prevent breakdown.

What role does the histology room play in cancer research?

The histology room is crucial for examining cancer tissue under a microscope. This helps researchers identify and understand the differences between cancer cells and normal cells, which is essential for diagnosing and developing targeted treatments.

What impact has the DNA vaccine had in animal studies?

In animal studies, the DNA vaccine has shown significant results, reducing tumors by 97% when combined with current immunotherapy treatments. This demonstrates its potential to improve the response rate from 16% to 70% in human clinical trials.

Are there internship opportunities available at Cancer Research Malaysia?

Yes, Cancer Research Malaysia offers internship opportunities. Interested students can apply through the Cancer Research Malaysia website or contact HR at [email protected] for more details on available positions.