AOJS-6 - Issues and perspectives of drug development from Asia; a view from Singapore in breast cancer trials

Abstract

Asia is currently one of the most dynamic regions in the world, and offers great promise in the areas of cancer research and drug development. With the rising incidence of breast cancer in many Asian countries, there are opportunities as well as challenges in clinical trials and drug development. Although Asia is often the region of choice for clinical trials in Asian-centric cancers such as EGFR-mutated lung cancers, gastric carcinomas and hepatocellular carcinomas, clinical research in breast cancer is still often dominated by the major centres in the West. One of the key factors which may influence the pharmaceutical companies to consider engaging Asian sites more actively is the discovery of unique features of Asian breast cancers. However, to our knowledge, we have not been able as yet to elucidate any distinctive characteristics of Asian breast cancers, apart from a higher proportion pf premenopausal breast cancers, and among certain ethnic groups, higher frequencies of triple negative breast cancers. The current situation may change with the conduct of large-scale translational research on breast cancer in Asia. Greater interest and support with funding from national authorities and industry partners, as well as increasing academic collaborations, will be essential to achieve this major step forward. As one of the smallest countries in the world, Singapore faces major challenges in the competitive arena of breast cancer clinical trials. Nevertheless, we aim to maximise our strengths to overcome our weaknesses, with regional and international collaborations to play a greater role in breast cancer research.