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Clinical Trials and Translational Research in the Field of Cancer Immunology in Asia-Pacific Countries: Understanding the New Frontier
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  • Mel Valerie Cruz-Ordinario,
  • Yuki Kojima,
  • Kazuki Sudo,
  • Minako Iida,
  • Okamoto Shinichiro ,
  • Kenichi Nakamura,
  • Kan Yonemori,
  • Keisuke Watanabe,
  • Marcelo Severino B. Imasa
Mel Valerie Cruz-Ordinario
Saint Luke's Medical Center
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Yuki Kojima
Kokuritsu Gan Kenkyu Center Toshokan
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Kazuki Sudo
Kokuritsu Gan Kenkyu Center Toshokan
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Minako Iida
Aichi Ika Daigaku Daigakuin Igaku Kenkyuka Igakubu Eiseigaku
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Okamoto Shinichiro
Keio Gijuku Daigaku
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Kenichi Nakamura
Kokuritsu Gan Kenkyu Center Toshokan
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Kan Yonemori
Kokuritsu Gan Kenkyu Center Toshokan
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Keisuke Watanabe
Kokuritsu Gan Kenkyu Center Chuo Byoin

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Marcelo Severino B. Imasa
Saint Luke's Medical Center
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Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to clarify the actual status of clinical trials and translational research activities in cancer immunology in the Asia-Pacific region, the most diverse and populous region with a large number of cancer patients. Methods: This questionnaire-based survey targeted researchers and healthcare professionals in the Asia-Pacific region. The questionnaire was sent to individuals who were involved in any collaboration with the National Cancer Center, Japan, or who belonged to the Asia-Pacific Blood and Marrow Transplantation group. Results: We received 122 responses from 20 Asia-Pacific countries and regions. Approximately 58% of the respondents were currently conducting clinical trials on cancer immunotherapy, with 25% having performed >10 phase 3 trials in the last 3 years. Half of the respondents (51.7%) belonged to institutions that conducted early phase clinical trials. In clinical trials, immune checkpoint inhibitors were used in most countries (81.8%), whereas chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) or T-cell receptor-modified T-cell (TCR-T) therapies were used in few countries (CAR-T, 22.7%; TCR-T, 2.3%). Importantly, 18% of respondents had referred their patients to facilities conducting suitable ongoing clinical trials in foreign countries. Some institutions provided hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), including allogeneic HSCT (55.1%) and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (81.3%). Approximately 40% of the respondents belonged to institutions that conducted translational research on cancer immunotherapy using patient-derived samples. Conclusion: This survey revealed limited cancer immunotherapy accessibility and research activities in the Asia-Pacific region, especially for CAR-T and TCR-T therapies.