As technology advances, precision medicine emerges as a pivotal force in revolutionizing treatment outcomes and enhancing the well-being of patients. Consequently, the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and the establishment of a national genetic sequence databank are crucial to the future development of precision medicine in Taiwan. Dr Sytwu Huey-Kang, President of the National Health Research Institute (NHRI), pointed out that NGS and the gene bank will keep precision medicine treatments in Taiwan aligned with international practices and increase patients' access to precision medicine.
The health big data sustainability platform promoted by the Taiwan Cooperative Oncology Group (TCOG) currently utilizes gene data on 11 different types of cancer from 4000 patients to conduct NGS testing and studies. It lays the foundation for the national NGS databank. By analyzing genetic mutations in cancer patients, the studies aim to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
Taking biliary tract cancer as an example, chemotherapy has traditionally been the primary treatment method. However, NGS testing revealed that 28.5% of patients have specific genetic mutations. This finding provides those patients with the opportunity to receive more precise targeted drugs or immunotherapy, which could significantly improve treatment results and reduce the risks of side effects.
Yet, NHI-reimbursed NGS testing and the national genetic databank also raise concerns about privacy. Dr Sytwu expressed that the government has attached great importance to this issue and has implemented strict privacy protection measures. The conduct of genetic testing and the collection of data should be based on patients' full consent, and its use is subject to prior de-identification, strictly for scientific and clinical purposes.
Dr Sytwu stressed that the biggest challenge of establishing a national NGS databank is to integrate electronic patient records among hospitals. This involves technical issues as well as collaboration and data-sharing across various institutions. To address this challenge, the government needs to establish a comprehensive legal and policy framework to regulate the collection, use, and sharing of data, ensuring that all operations are based on patient's consent and data de-identification.
The national NGS databank is not just a genetic databank; it also contains data on treatment response, treatment prognosis, and survival rates. This information will help accelerate the research and development of new drugs, provide empirical support for clinical decision-making, promote the development of precision medicine, and thereby enhance the quality of cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care.
Dr Sytwu highlighted that Taiwan's population comprises multi-ethnic groups, serving as a microcosm of Chinese society. This diversity is particularly valuable for advancing treatments tailored to Chinese ethnic groups, given that many genetic banks worldwide predominantly contain data from Western populations.
【2024-03-28 / United Daily News】
