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Round Up |
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NCC
researchers win awards for their outstanding work
Detecting
early bladder cancers with a non-invasive method, ex-vivo
urine fluorescence cytology
Researcher
Manivasager Vanaja from Photodynamic Diagnosis and Treatment
Laboratory presented this preliminary study at the recent
Urology Fair (organised by the Singapore Urological Association
at The Regent Hotel, Singapore) and won the Association’s
Book Prize for Best work in Basic Science. Some cancer cells
emit fluorescence when stained with light sensitive chemicals
and exposed to special light. Fluorescence microscopes or
cameras can detect such fluorescence. This is the first study
on ex-vivo fluorescence cytology using hypericin as the stain.
The possibility of detecting malignant cells in early cancer
makes ex-vivo fluorescence cytology promising for routine
diagnostic screening.
Establishing
a method for delivering therapeutic agents to brain cancer
cells, with potential for minimising drugs toxicity
In a preliminary study, NCC researchers identified a molecule
– MG11 – that could direct drugs to brain cancer
cells. These findings would have a far-reaching impact in
cancer therapy and in pharmacogenomics. Researcher Ivy Ho,
who presented the study at the International Society for
Cancer Gene Therapy Conference, held recently in Singapore,
won second prize for best oral presentation.
Discovering
that evolution selects for certain alleles in the MDR1 drug-response
gene
Postgraduate
student Tang Kun won the American Association for Cancer Research
(AACR)-ITO EN Ltd Scholar-in-Training Award to present his
findings at the AACR 95th Annual Meeting (2004) in Orlando,
Florida, USA. This study showed that certain alleles in the
MDR1 drug-response gene are positively selected in some populations
but not others. The MDR1 drug transporters, localised at various
blood-tissue barriers, are responsible for extruding numerous
drugs and xenobiotics from cells. This finding has great implications
in pharmacogenetics and personalised medicine and may explain
why different individuals respond differently to different
drugs.
MOU
signed between University of College London (UCL) and NCC
In April,
a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions
was signed to advance mutual interests in the field of education
and research. Both UCL and NCC will collaborate in staff-exchange
programmes, in providing postgraduate education for clinical
staff, in research and development, and in consultancy services.
Congratulations
The editorial team extends its heartfelt congratulations
to the following doctors for their recent appointments:
Oncologic Imaging
Dr Quek Swee Tian – Senior Consultant
Dr Thng Choon Hua – Senior Consultant
HMDP Awardees
Dr Tay Miah Hiang, Assoc. Consultant with Medical Oncology,
NCC, on his return from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard
Medical School, after his HMDP Fellowships in Genitourinary
Oncology with special emphasis on prostate cancer.
Dr Wong
Zee Wan, Associate Consultant with Medical Oncology, has
also returned from Duke University Centre and Siteman Cancer
Centre (Washington University) after her specialist training
in endocrine resistance and cancer genomics.
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