A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) researcher, Professor Hai Yan, has contributed foundational research behind Vorasidenib, a new oral drug developed by French pharmaceutical company Servier to treat brain cancer. This drug leverages Professor Yan’s 2009 discovery of IDH1 and IDH2 genetic mutations, which act as "switches" triggering early-stage brain cancer. Vorasidenib is the first FDA-approved treatment specifically targeting low-grade gliomas and marks the first brain cancer drug breakthrough in over 20 years, offering a non-surgical option that can delay disease progression, especially for young patients.
The Brain Tumour Society (Singapore) (BTSS) has voiced hope that Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) will soon approve Vorasidenib for local use at an accessible cost. BTSS’s president Melissa LIm, herself a brain tumour survivor, highlighted the drug's potential to reduce the need for invasive surgeries and strong treatments, providing a much-needed alternative for young patients who often face long-term impacts from traditional cancer therapies.
Collaborative efforts are underway between Professor Yan’s team and the National University Health System, focusing on low-grade gliomas and new molecular diagnostic tools for brain tumours.
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