According to the Global Cancer Registry System GLOBOCAN 2020, in Vietnam by 2020 there are more than 350,000 patients living with cancer, more than 182,000 new cases and 122,000 deaths. According to a study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in June 2020, the death rate per cancer case in Vietnam is more than 70%, at the highest level in Asia. Most people with cancer in Vietnam come for examination and treatment in a late stage, making treatment difficult and creating a huge financial burden on patients, the health system and the whole society. This situation makes it more and more urgent to accelerate the work of diagnosis and improve the quality of cancer treatment. Cooperation between Hanoi Oncology Hospital and Roche Vietnam to improve the quality of cancer treatment Therefore, the cooperation between Hanoi Oncology Hospital and Roche Vietnam is expected to bring about a positive impact to improve professional capacity in cancer treatment and meet the increasingly urgent need for solutions. advanced and effective method for patients, implementing the principle of putting the patient first. Specifically, the two sides will promote cooperation in enhancing the capacity and experience of health workers in treating and caring for cancer patients; connect, integrate and participate in cooperation activities with domestic and international agencies and organizations in the field of oncology; as well as establishing and implementing activities targeting patients and communities … In addition, the two sides also cooperate to implement the project to increase access to advanced therapies for high-risk breast cancer patients in the period 2020 – 2025 (according to the scheme signed between the Ministry of Health. and Vietnam Medical Association in 2020). “In recent years, Hanoi Oncology Hospital and Roche Vietnam have had an active and effective cooperative relationship. Today’s important event will definitely help to promote more positively the relationship between the two sides, in order to bring the most practical benefits to the patient and the community “, TS.BS. Said Bui Vinh Quang, director of Hanoi Oncology Hospital. Meanwhile, Mr. Girish Mulye, General Director of Roche Pharma Vietnam, emphasized that the combination of Roche global strengths and advanced solutions with the expertise and dedication of the Hanoi Oncology Hospital team, It is expected to create positive changes to help change medical capacity throughout the journey from cancer diagnosis and treatment, towards the common goal of minimizing mortality and reducing the burden caused by this group of diseases. . The Memorandum of Understanding between Hanoi Oncology Hospital and Roche Vietnam is expected to be implemented in 3 years, with the first activity taking place from April 2021.

The content of strategic cooperation between the Central Institute of Hematology – Blood Transfusion and Roche Vietnam includes the following main activities: Organize specialized training programs and conferences to improve the capacity and experience of health workers in the care and treatment of hematological diseases; Support and connect the Central Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion to approach and participate in cooperation activities with agencies and organizations in Vietnam as well as internationally with the aim of learning and sharing treatment experiences from domestic and foreign experts and specialized centers; Organize activities aimed at patients and the community to propagate and raise awareness about diagnosis and treatment, focusing on hemophilia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The Central Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion in collaboration with Roche Vietnam organized a memorandum of understanding TS. BS. Bach Quoc Khanh, Director of the Central Institute of Hematology – Blood Transfusion, said: “We always support all the cooperation and support of prestigious organizations in the world for the development of Vietnamese health. , all for the goal of bringing better quality of treatment for patients who unfortunately suffer from blood clotting disorders and malignant blood diseases ”. Mr. Girish Mulye, General Director of Roche Pharma Vietnam emphasized: “Combining Roche’s global strengths and innovative solutions with expertise with the dedication and expertise from the medical team, we wishes to give more opportunities to those unlucky people suffering from this incurable disease. This is also part of the company’s long-term commitment to public health in reducing mortality caused by this group of diseases ”. Hemophila (also known as hemophilia) is an inherited bleeding disease caused by decreased or abnormal function of clotting factor VIII / IX. It is estimated that in Vietnam, there are more than 6,200 people with hemophilia, of which nearly 40% of the patients have not been diagnosed and treated. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is another malignancy that tends to increase rapidly among the elderly in Vietnam, especially in men. In 2018, Vietnam had more than 3,500 new cases and more than 2,100 deaths, ranking 14th in terms of incidence rates among cancers. Like other hematological diseases, Hemophila and non-Hodgkin lymphoma cannot be completely cured, but if detected early and responded well to treatment, patients can still maintain their health and live almost life. normal. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Central Institute of Hematology – Blood Transfusion and Roche Vietnam is expected to be implemented within a year and will be in operation from April 2021. Through domestic and foreign cooperation, this strategic cooperation is expected to bring about many positive changes, helping to strengthen the capacity for hematological care and treatment.

Analysis conducted on Roche’s pharmacovigilance database showed 99 cases of serious adverse skin reactions, including 36 cases confirmed by histopathology or according to a specialist’s diagnosis. , in patients taking atezolizumab. About 23,654 patients who were treated in clinical trials and 106,316 after the drug was licensed for circulation in the market were exposed to atezolizumab as of May 17, 2020.

The incidence of serious adverse skin reactions based on laboratory clinical trials with atezolizumab as monotherapy and combination was 0.7% and 0.6%, respectively. A death from toxic epidermal necrolysis has been reported in a 77-year-old patient treated with atezolizumab as monotherapy.

Concerned about the above serious adverse reactions that may occur when taking the drug, Roche Company recommends: If serious adverse skin reactions are suspected, the patient should be referred to a specialist. to be diagnosed and handled appropriately. Treatment with atezolizumab should be discontinued if Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis is suspected. Treatment with atezolizumab should be permanently discontinued if Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis is confirmed, as well as any adverse skin reactions or severe rash at grade 4. Atezolizumab should be used. Caution is given to patients with a history of serious or life-threatening adverse skin reactions during previous treatment with another immunostimulating anticancer drug.

MSc. DS. Chu Thanh Hang

((According to ansm, 4/2021))