NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

The Fourth Asia-Pacific Forum on Precision Cancer Treatment highlighted advancements in breast and lung cancer care, focusing on liquid biopsy, personalized therapies, and in-depth genetic profiling. Experts discussed how these innovations enhance early detection, monitor tumor heterogeneity, and tailor treatments to improve outcomes. The forum emphasized the importance of a complete ecosystem in precision medicine, spanning detection to treatment, and the role of international collaboration in advancing cancer care.

AI in healthcare, particularly for early pancreatic cancer detection, shows promise but faces U.S. regulatory hurdles. Avandra aims to solve data-access problems with a federated network model, enabling AI training and innovation. Regulatory inflexibility delays lifesaving innovation, but potential shifts under new leadership could align policies with modern realities, accelerating the availability of early detection tools.

Barinthus Biotherapeutics reports Phase IIb HBV003 trial data showing 8 participants with complete hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss and 2 achieving functional cure. The trial, ongoing with 121 participants, suggests stronger responses in patients treated with VTP-300 and low-dose nivolumab. Preliminary safety data indicates the combination is well-tolerated. The data will be presented at the AASLD 2024 liver meeting.

Sriansh Ojha, born with AADC deficiency, received successful gene therapy at 16 months, becoming the youngest to do so. The treatment, developed in Taiwan and marketed as KEBILIDI™, was approved by the FDA in 2024. Sriansh, now 3, shows significant improvement, highlighting the potential of early diagnosis and treatment for AADC deficiency.

Phase 2b HBV003 trial data show VTP-300 with low-dose nivolumab stimulates immune response, inducing sustained HBsAg reductions meeting functional cure criteria. 8/40 participants had complete HBsAg loss, 2 met functional cure criteria. VTP-300, first antigen-specific immunotherapy to induce sustained HBsAg reductions, is being studied in combination with siRNA and low-dose anti-PD-1 antibodies. Trial includes 121 participants, 69 with HBsAg < 200 IU/mL, 24 eligible for NUC discontinuation, 9 chose to discontinue, 2 met functional cure criteria.

Eight participants in the HBV003 trial achieved HBsAg loss, with two meeting criteria for functional cure. Two participants who discontinued NUC therapy seroconverted to HBsAb positivity, indicating potential for durable HBsAg loss and functional cure with VTP-300 and low-dose nivolumab.

The VANCE trial, the largest T cell therapy clinical trial for solid tumors, demonstrates Singapore's capability in large-scale global cell therapy. Published in 'Annals on Oncology' (2024), it shows no overall survival improvement but highlights potential for subgroup refinement and biomarker identification.

Largest T cell therapy trial for solid tumours, led by Singapore, showed no overall survival benefit but better outcomes in US, Singapore, and Taiwan sites. Identifying biomarkers could enhance therapy success.

The VANCE trial, a multinational phase III study led by Singapore, concludes that T cell therapy for solid tumours is safe but requires refinement to improve outcomes. The trial, published in Annals on Oncology, involved 330 patients across 23 sites, showing no overall survival benefit but potential in specific subgroups. Future efforts aim to identify biomarkers for personalized T cell therapy.

EVER-132-002 study, compliant with Helsinki and ICH GCP guidelines, was approved by national authorities and ethics committees. It enrolled HR+HER2- metastatic or locally recurrent BC patients from China, Korea, and Taiwan, requiring prior chemotherapy and measurable disease. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive SG or chemotherapy, with PFS as the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included OS, ORR, DoR, CBR, safety, and QoL. Assessments involved tumor measurements, safety evaluations, and QoL questionnaires. Statistical analysis included sample size calculation, HR estimation, and safety summaries. The study design details are available in the Nature Portfolio Reporting Summary.