Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH) has partnered with the Mayo Clinic in the United States to establish a joint research laboratory at TVGH's Technology Building. The lab was officially unveiled yesterday morning by TVGH Deputy Superintendent Lee, Wui-Chiang, Director Shuu-Jiun Wang, and Professor Sungjune Kim, Associate Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Mayo Clinic. Starting January next year, the collaboration will focus on fundamental biological research into carbon ion therapy, marking a significant step forward in Taiwan-U.S. medical cooperation.
TVGH Superintendent Wei Ming Chen emphasized that TVGH boasts an exceptional radiation therapy team and cutting-edge carbon ion therapy equipment. Meanwhile, the Mayo Clinic is an international leader in cancer clinical treatments and fundamental research. Since its launch on May 15 last year, TVGH's Carbon Ion Therapy Center has treated nearly 350 patients, either undergoing or having completed carbon ion therapy. The Mayo Clinic, which plans to build its own carbon ion therapy center, is joining forces with TVGH to enhance the quality and scale of cancer radiation therapy in both Taiwan and the U.S., driving innovation and fostering a win-win partnership.
Lee, Wui-Chiang extended a warm welcome to Professor Kim, who traveled from the United States for this collaboration. Under the partnership agreement, the Mayo Clinic will station researchers at TVGH to work alongside TVGH's research teams on fundamental and clinical carbon ion research. Key areas of focus include identifying which types of cancer patients are best suited for carbon ion therapy, determining optimal therapeutic dosages for various cancers, and exploring the biological effects of carbon ion therapy. The collaboration will also involve applying for multi-year, cross-border medical research grants from Taiwan's Ministry of Science and Technology and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), publishing joint research findings, and deepening their partnership through substantive cooperation.
The Mayo Clinic is consistently ranked among the best hospitals in the U.S. and is recognized as one of the world's leading medical centers. Its proton therapy centers at the Minnesota and Arizona campuses opened in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Additionally, the Mayo Clinic’s Florida campus is set to establish the first carbon ion therapy center in the United States.
Resource: 北榮與梅約醫學中心合作 明年展開重粒子基礎生物研究
