Regional collaboration to improve quality of radiation therapy in Asia

COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY UTILIZATION FOR TELECOBALT60 TO ACHIEVE THE RADIATION CERTAINTY

OBJECTIVE

The aim: This research aimed to show the achievement of Telecobalt60 radiation certainty using computed radiography, in comparation with non-verified computed radiography.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: This research is a quantitative study, randomized double-blind, and consecutive sampling design. The study was conducted by observing and com¬paring the data of verified computed radiography (VerC) computed radiograph for Telecobalt60 compared to the non-verified computed radiography (nVerC) Telecobalt60 data.

RESULTS

Results: The results showed that there are significant statistical differences in several measurement characteristics between the verified computed radiography arm and the non-verified computed radiography arm. All of the value divergences of the verified computed radiography arm are less than 7 mm while the non-verified computed radiography arm are 7 mm or more (P<0.050). Furthermore, all of the edge aspect of measurement in the verified computed radiography arms are less than the non-verified computed radiography, all without manual block utilization (P<0.050).

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: We conclude that Telecobalt60 radiation certainty is significantly better achieved by using computed radiography, when compared to non-verified computed radiography Telecobalt60 use. This research contributes to provide evidence based for better Telecobalt60 radiation accuracy and quality of radiotherapy outcome by using computed radiography.

A unique hub-and-spoke model to optimize patient management in lymphoma using novel CAR-T cell therapy in Southeast and South Asia

Novel therapeutic options for cancer offer hope for patients and their families, particularly when the cancer has not responded to established treatment regimens. The CAR-T cell therapeutic approach has changed the treatment paradigm for relapsed or refractory lymphoma, extending the capacity of the patient's own T cells to detect and eliminate cancer cells through genetic modification of T-cell surface receptors. The process of establishing treatment centers and developing clinical expertize in this novel treatment strategy is complex. Time, resources, and a commitment to focusing health budgets on a new area are required. Currently, Singapore is the only country in southeast and south Asia with market authorization of the CAR-T product, tisagenlecleucel. Availability of CAR-T treatment across international borders provides patients in neighboring countries with choice in therapeutic options. This paper describes the unique hub-and-spoke cross-border collaboration developed between Singapore and its neighbors to provide access to CAR-T cell therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma. To date in 2022, four patients have been included in the CAR-T treatment cross-border collaboration. Their stay in Singapore has been at least 2 months' duration, including the pre-treatment evaluation, apheresis, CAR-T cell infusion and post-treatment monitoring. Patient support from referring and treating physicians, critical to the success of the undertaking, is characterized by early communication, patient selection, multi-disciplinary care, post-treatment monitoring, and attention to detail. The patient journey and the development and implementation of this unique collaboration are discussed.