The Li Ka Shing Foundation (LKSF) and Temasek Trust (TT) have committed $12 million to bring innovative non-invasive ultrasound-based histotripsy tumour clinical trials to Singapore by purchasing and donating two Histotripsy Systems.
The National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) will each receive one Histotripsy System — the first of such to be available in Southeast Asia.
Developed by US medical company HistoSonics, the HistoSonics Histotripsy System generates microbubbles that rapidly expand and collapse, producing shock waves that break down tumours at the cellular level.
This approach does not require surgery, and can non-invasively destroy tumours, including those that cannot be surgically removed.
Unlike surgery, radiotherapy, or traditional ablation, histotripsy requires no incisions or radiation, offering a painless, scarless and bloodless treatment.
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The funding from LKSF and TT will also support a clinical trial in Singapore for patients with liver, kidney and pancreatic cancers, advancing regional cancer research and innovation.
The funding will be disbursed through a donor-advised fund managed by TT Foundation Advisors (TTFA), the philanthropy advisory services arm of TT. Through the donor-advised fund, TTFA aims to attract additional capital from other donors over time to support the next phase of cancer research.
The application for the clinical trial using the Histotripsy System is being prepared and the trial is slated to commence later this year, with a targeted enrolment of 40 patients.
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Liver, kidney and pancreatic cancers are on the rise across Asia, with Southeast Asia experiencing the fastest-growing incidence and mortality rates. Factors such as aging populations, changing lifestyles and environmental exposure contribute to the regional cancer burden.
In Singapore, liver cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death for men, with liver and pancreatic cancers among the top 10 causes of cancer mortality.
Dickson Lim, Head, TTFA, said, “We at TTFA are delighted to have the Li Ka Shing Foundation and Temasek Trust come together to catalyse this important initiative, to study this innovative non-invasive ultrasound-based cancer therapy in Southeast Asia. We are privileged to work alongside NCCS and NCIS to support clinical research and trials to use this novel modality that targets important cancers. Over time, we aim to attract additional philanthropic capital from other donors to sustainably support the next phase of cancer research.”
TTFA head Dickson Lim says: “We at TTFA are delighted to have the Li Ka Shing Foundation and Temasek Trust come together to catalyse this important initiative, to study this innovative non-invasive ultrasound-based cancer therapy in Southeast Asia. We are privileged to work alongside NCCS and NCIS to support clinical research and trials to use this novel modality that targets important cancers. Over time, we aim to attract additional philanthropic capital from other donors to sustainably support the next phase of cancer research.”
Since 1980, the Li Ka Shing Foundation has been helping to reform education and further medical research. To date, founder Li Ka-shing has invested over HK$30 billion in projects covering education, medical services, charity and anti-poverty programmes, with about 80% of the projects in mainland China and Hong Kong.
Photo: Temasek Trust
