Tam Anh General Hospital in Vietnam has joined the global VISTA-1 clinical trial to evaluate RBS2418, a novel oral immunotherapy drug developed by U.S.-based Riboscience, offering new hope for patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The trial, already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2024 and Vietnam’s Ministry of Health in December, represents a significant step forward in cancer treatment research.
Addressing a Critical Unmet Need
Cancer is a leading cause of death in Vietnam, with colorectal cancer on the rise. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) projects that colorectal cancer mortality rates in Asia could increase by nearly 80% by 2045. Late-stage diagnoses, accounting for 15-30% of cases in Vietnam, present significant treatment challenges, with survival rates as low as 10-20%. While targeted therapies and immunotherapies have improved survival rates to 30–40%, many patients remain unresponsive, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions.
RBS2418: A Potential Breakthrough
RBS2418 is designed to activate the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Unlike conventional treatments, it transforms the tumor's immune environment from "cold"—where immune activity is suppressed—to "hot," enabling a stronger immune response. Developed by researchers including Stanford University’s Prof Jeffrey S. Glenn and Riboscience’s Klaus Klumpp, the drug has shown promising results in early trials.
Phase 1 trials in the U.S. confirmed the drug’s safety, while preliminary data suggests it has anti-tumor activity, both as a standalone treatment and in combination with PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors. "The VISTA-1 study will provide critical data to evaluate RBS2418’s efficacy," said Prof Glenn, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration.
Vietnam's Role in the VISTA-1 Trial
Tam Anh General Hospital and TAMRI have invested significantly in the VISTA-1 trial, including establishing a state-of-the-art laboratory as a central testing hub. Vietnamese doctors have collaborated with U.S. specialists to develop the Phase 2 study protocol and implement standardized procedures. The trial introduces a new biomarker assay technique, which will be implemented at central laboratories across Vietnam, eliminating the need to send samples abroad.
Phase 2A of the trial will enroll 150 patients in both the U.S. and Vietnam, including participants from Tam Anh General Hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The trial is expected to expand to three additional Vietnamese hospitals soon. The initial focus will be on patients with metastatic, advanced colorectal cancers who have not responded to or are intolerant to current treatments.
Implications for Cancer Treatment
The VISTA-1 trial marks a significant milestone for Vietnam’s medical field, representing the country’s first Phase 2A clinical trial for colorectal cancer treatment. If successful, RBS2418 could revolutionize the treatment of this challenging condition and sets a precedent for Vietnam’s involvement in groundbreaking medical research, paving the way for future collaborations and innovations.
