In 2011, the World Health Organization and the National Cancer Institute highlighted the growing impact of cancer in developing countries. In response, UT Health San Antonio, the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, and the Cancer Therapy and Research Center (Mays Cancer Center) launched an initiative in Southeast Asia to advance global cancer research, build expertise, and leverage international resources to tackle cancer challenges and reduce mortality rates.
Partnering with the Kids With Cancer Foundation of Vietnam, our team assessed institutional capabilities and the potential impact of program implementation. In southern Vietnam, cancer survival rates were as low as 5%, compared to over 90% for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the USA. Our current focus is on training Vietnamese physicians in advanced diagnostic and management techniques. Recognizing the practical limitations of medicine in Vietnam, we are developing a new leukemia protocol with the goal of increasing ALL survival rates to over 50% within the next three years. We aim to extend these efforts to other cancers and pursue further research to enhance understanding and treatment globally.