Unfortunately, genome sequencing analysis of breast cancer in Asians has been limited in the past, mainly due to its high cost and lack of quality tumour samples. However, we now possess better, faster, and cheaper DNA sequencing technologies, and together with Sime Darby Medical Centre, we have assembled one of the largest cohorts of breast cancer tissue samples from Asia, and are collaborating with Professor Carlos Caldas and Dr. Chin Suet-Feung at the University of Cambridge to comprehensively analyse these samples. This work will lead to a better understanding of biomarkers in Asian breast cancers, and may pave the way for breast cancer immunotherapy.
This study is funded by the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign by the Estée Lauder Companies, and made possible with the support of the Newton Ungku Omar Grant, University Malaya, and Sime Darby Medical Centre. Together, we are working towards ensuring that Asians are not left behind in the search for more effective breast cancer treatments.