Published The advancement of the Human Genome Project has initiated the new medical discipline called “Genomic Medicine” which brings genomic information to treat the patients. The technological advancement of the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) can decipher the human genome quickly and cheaply. It came from the new concept called “Precision Medicine” that uses the genomic information together with other information of the patients to explain the different diseases individually and to primarily select the most appropriate treatment. Cancer is a good example as it is caused by the abnormalities in the genome to change the normal cell to a cancer cell. To test the abnormalities in cells not only diagnoses cancer better but also helps to select the targeted cancer therapy for each patient precisely and specifically which brings a positive response to the treatment.
Due to the mentioned reasons, the team of researchers and doctors who care for the cancer patients at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital have started to work together as the research network called “Cancer Precision Medicine” since 2016 at Siriraj Center of Research Excellence (SiCORE) and separated into two teams: SiCORE – Precision Medicine and SiCORE – Systems Pharmacology (SiSP).
For the past four years, Siriraj started precision medicine in oncology from nothing until now that we can complete all the process loop. In every procedure, we rely on teamwork from diverse departments and divisions inside Siriraj. For the next step, we aim to encourage the wide-range treatment of genomic medicine and precision medicine in oncology. Accordingly, Siriraj was chosen to be the main organization in the integrated action plan of genomics in Thailand which our researchers are an important part of the team in research, service, education, data management, ethics and policy, and as a coordinating center to drive the genomics, especially in cancer syndrome, in the national level. Additionally, Siriraj has cooperation with other external sectors such as the Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, private hospitals, and other medical schools to support, share the experience, exchange knowledge, and push the genomic medicine and precision medicine in oncology to become the main medication of cancer treatment in the future. Thus, the major consequence is consistent with the 3rd goal – Good Health and Well-Being of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Mission/Activities of Siriraj Genomics
- 1. To coordinate between medical professors and researchers from each department and research group to allocate the clinical data and specimen collection for the Thailand genomics project, and to manage the Thailand genomics project at the Faculty level.
- To serve the clinical genome test and to coordinate with the related laboratory such as Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Pathology Laboratory, Department of Clinical Pathology, Department of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and Siriraj Biobank for the specimen collection and management in the project, and to serve the genome test for the physicians and patients
- To coordinate with Bioinformatics and Data Management for Research Unit for data collection, database establishment and management, and genome data analysis along with the clinical data
- To coordinate with related departments and divisions to provide the training course for staff who work in medical genetics; medical professional, consultant, multi-professional in medical genetics, molecular biology, and molecular pathology, and bioinformatician, through various educational programs; Doctor of Medicine Program, Residency/Fellowship Training Program, Master and Ph.D. Program in Medical Bioinformatics and Precision Medicine, and Short Training Program in Genetics
- To be representative of Siriraj to drive the integrated action plan of genomics in Thailand
Performance
1. Collaboration
- To initiate the cooperation in genomics medicine between the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital and other hospitals under the Department of Medical Services which had the MOU signing ceremony between Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, and the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University on July 22, 2020, at Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS), Bangkok
- To establish the network of genome tests in cancer patients between Siriraj Hospital and other hospitals around the country such as Rajavithi Hospital, Chulabhorn Hospital, Vajira Hospital, Klang Hospital, Samutprakarn Hospital, Surin Hospital, Saraburi Hospital, Sawanpracharak Hospital, Buddhachinaraj Hospital, Chonburi Hospital, Chonburi Cancer Hospital, etc. Now, over 1,300 patients have investigated and participated in this project
2. Research Fund
- Siriraj Genomics has steadily got the research fund (Flagship category) and Thai Challenge Fund (ทุนท้าทายไทย) of 366 million Baht since 2016 for the precision medicine in oncology and Thailand genomics project against the cancer. In 2020, the 149 million Baht was funded to support the research.
