As the new chairman of the Department of Clinical Oncology, Prof. Anthony Chan believes his initial role is to ensure the continuation of the department's excellent work. This is not as simple an undertaking as it sounds as the department is one of the most active cancer research units in Asia, a centre which also treats approximately 4,000 new cancer patients each year. The task is made the more difficult with the increased incidence of cancer in Hong Kong and increased sophistication in treatment methods.
The department specializes in cancers that are most prevalent in the territory, including cancers of the liver, nasopharnyx, breast, lung, and colon. Among its staff are authorities on liver cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer (Prof. Chan's own specialty), and active members of international research groups on other cancers. They collaborate with colleagues in other departments in the Faculty of Medicine to offer an integrated, system-based medical education to undergraduate students of the University. Likewise, they offer a comprehensive and integrated service involving medical oncology, radiotherapy, surgery, radiology, pathology, medical physics, and palliative care to cancer patients. 'We take a holistic approach to treating cancer patients because cancer is a disease that involves all organs and systems,' Prof. Chan explains.
Cancer's complexity is also why the department works very closely with other medical departments in research. One of the department's strengths is its competence in both basic and clinical research. 'Scientists and clinicians work closely together in our department and the integration of the two streams is getting better and better,' says Prof. Chan. Over 60 trials have been successfully completed to date, with about 30 studies ongoing. Pivotal clinical trials in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and hepatocellular (liver) carcinoma have made significant international impact in the management of these diseases. At the same time, the department's laboratories at the Sir Y.K. Pao Centre for Cancer has been supporting basic science research related to tumour markers, molecular genetics, immunology and molecular virology, with publications appearing consistently in top-tier journals.
The department also runs a translational research programme in the Comprehensive Cancer Trials Unit (CCTU) that was restructured from the former Centre for Trials, Drug Development and Novel Therapeutics in 2001. Translational research, an area which is gaining increasing importance in medicine, helps bring basic medical research closer to commercially-ready technology for the benefit of patients and the public at large. It coordinates basic research with clinical investigations, leading to quick translation of new discoveries into improved patient care, and reduced incidence, morbidity, and mortality. The work of the CCTU includes evaluating treatments, keeping data files of all patients entered into clinical research, and ensuring protocol compliance with international standards of good practice. 'The CCTU has very dedicated staff from both The Chinese University and the Hospital Authority. Currently translational research is focused mainly on liver cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer, and is being extended to other kinds of cancer,' says Prof. Chan.
Funding is crucial to cancer research and the department has so far been faring well in attracting sponsorship. 'The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are very supportive of oncology research. This puts us in a favourable position. We have also done well in competitive grants from the RGC and charitable organizations,' remarks Prof. Chan. A Cancer Patient Resource Centre will be opened at the end of this year with a generous donation from the Hong Kong Cancer Fund. The centre will be regarded as the state-of-the-art cancer resource centre in the region. Prof. Chan hopes that it will help to bring the psychosocial aspects of the disease to the public's awareness.
'Our department is very privileged in terms of enjoying the staunch support of all streams of the faculty,' says Prof. Chan. The department's multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of cancer, he adds, is something very close to his heart. 'In the last 10 years,' he said, 'we have all given up some independence to work together for the benefit of cancer patients. I will work very hard to further develop this model of care that is the goal for a cancer centre anywhere in the world.
CUHK Newsletter, 210, 4th November 2002