New opportunities for patients with recurrent, drug-resistant cancer

One of the key areas being researched by major medical facilities in the country and having positive results is the application of biotechnology and personalized medicine.

According to the Department of Science, Technology and Training (Ministry of Health), in the period 2025 - 2030, the science and technology framework program in the health sector implemented by the Ministry of Health will focus on 5 groups of issues:

1. Research, develop and apply advanced techniques and methods in diagnosing and treating human diseases;

2. Research, develop and apply advanced technology in human disease prevention, vaccine and biological product development;

3. Research and develop, apply advanced technology to develop drugs and medical equipment;

4. Scientific research, application of advanced technology to develop medicinal herbs, herbal medicines, and traditional medicines;

5. Scientific research provides evidence for management and policy making in the health sector.

Expanding the application of stem cell therapy

In particular, Car-T cell therapy is being researched and applied by a number of domestic facilities, with initial positive results, bringing new opportunities for patients with recurrent and drug-resistant cancer.

From 2025, cell therapy to treat difficult and rare diseases will be expanded to a number of large, qualified hospitals.

PHOTO: Ministry of Health documents

According to information from a research unit, Car-T cells have the ability to recognize and attack cancer cells. The Car-T cells produced are of high quality comparable to other countries, with a shorter time, thereby helping to reduce treatment costs and ensure treatment effectiveness. In other countries, the cost of Car-T treatment can be up to 10 - 15 billion VND. In Vietnam, this therapy can be performed at a cost of about 2 billion VND.

Meanwhile, stem cell transplantation therapy for congenital immunodeficiency is a method of taking healthy stem cells from a donor and transplanting them into the patient's body to regenerate the immune system. This therapy is also being researched for application. Congenital immunodeficiency is one of the rare and dangerous diseases, especially in children. Domestic applied research is opening up hope for many families with young children with the disease, so that they can develop healthily and live a normal life.

In addition, the application of physical technology in medicine, such as 3D printing technology for bones and artificial body parts (creating structures such as bones, cartilage, joints, etc.) personalized to each patient, is also being researched and applied.

Perfecting the legal framework for applying new treatment techniques

According to researchers, Vietnam does not have a specific legal framework and management policies, especially for the field of 3D technology; there is no complete system of technical standards and regulations to manage and evaluate the quality of 3D medical printing products. Vietnam also does not have a specific legal framework for the field of cell/gene therapy, while gene editing and gene therapy raise big ethical questions, especially when there is a risk of permanently changing the human genetic structure.

Dr. Nguyen Ngo Quang, Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Training, said that the Ministry of Health has built and completed the legal framework for this activity, such as submitting to the National Assembly the 2016 Pharmacy Law, the 2023 Medical Examination and Treatment Law, submitting to the Government the promulgation of Decree 96/2023/ND-CP detailing a number of articles of the Medical Examination and Treatment Law and issuing circulars guiding the clinical trials of drugs, new methods, new techniques, and medical equipment.

The Ministry of Health will continue to improve the legal framework for research and development of new products and clinical trials in compliance with domestic laws and international guidelines, especially guidelines for research on cell applications and cell-based products; strengthen the capacity of the Ethics Council in assessing, approving and supervising biomedical research on humans...

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/co-hoi-moi-cho-benh-nhan-ung-thu-tai-phat-khang-thuoc-185241111191404342.htm