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In FY2005, 97 of NCCS’ publications were internationally ranked at Journal Impact Factor (JIF) greater than or equal to 2.0 Some of these landmark research projects include:
World Wide recognition
Oncologist Dr Tan Min-Han being conferred the prestigious Merit Award by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in USA, not once but twice in two consecutive years. The first was in 2005 for recognition of his research on the genetic determinants of survival in kidney cancer. In 2006, Dr Tan was again conferred the prestigious Merit Award by the ASCO for his radical research on specific genes which would improve targeted therapy for this cancer.
Targeted Cell treatments
Embarking on two research projects which will help doctors improve the treatment of lymphoma and kidney cancers in Singapore. These projects are undertaken by two NCCS researchers Dr Balram Chowbay and Dr Tan Min-Han with support from the Terry Fox Research Grant.
Combining the Best of East and West
NCCS registrar, Dr Choo Su Pin embarked on a two-year study to find out how electro acupuncture is able to reduce nausea and vomiting of breast cancer patients on chemotherapy containing doxorubicin.
Writing Molecular Maps
NCCS research scientists have led an international team of researchers to achieve a breakthrough in stomach cancer research. The team of 12 researchers was from the University of Hong Kong, The University of Tokyo and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Australia.
Refining Treatment
An NCCS study has thrown some light on why some cancer patients respond better to treatment while others don't, despite being given the same dose of drugs. Scientists at NCCS have carried out translational research on genetic polymorphisms in the different ethnic groups. These would impact how our multi ethnic population can access tailor-made,more effective cancer treatment.
Tailoring Drugs
NCCS researchers have devised a method of using laboratory mice to help doctors tailor drug cocktails and treatments that work best for individual cancer sufferers. They transplant patients’ cancerous tumors into surrogate mice and simultaneously administer to them a test range of drugs. How the tumours react in mice will serve as a guide for what the doctor could expect from the patients.
Novel Therapies
NCCS researchers have recruited some 500-600 patients who undergo up to 10 lung cancer clinical trials that are being conducted each year. It gives these patients access to latest novel therapies.
Improved Detection
NCCS is collaborating in biomedical research with two premier research centres – the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology and Regional Cancer Centre both based in Thiruvananthapuram, India – to study improvements in diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancers.
These are just some of the achievements at NCCS. What researchers discover today may be tomorrow’s answer to a cure for cancer.
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