National Institute of Cancer Research

Research Wards

This clinical program is to conduct novel early phase clinical trials focusing on Taiwan prevalent cancers and with special emphasis on the use of anti-cancer drugs and treatment methods development domestically and translated from our laboratory research work. The second purpose of this clinical program is to develop and promote cancer clinical research in the academic medical school. Combining the resources and facilities of the clinical research ward and research laboratory, to train the best competent, high standard medical oncologist in Taiwan.

I. Brief Introduction:

Under the auspices of the Department of Health, Executive Yuan, the NHRI Clinical Research Plans were established in collaboration with Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital, Tri-Services General Hospital and National Cheng-Kung University Hospital. The NHRI Clinical Research Wards provide senior researchers, attending physicians, research nurses, and other technical personnel, while the hospitals provide research wards, supporting staff and services.

The Clinical Research Ward at Taipei Veterans General Hospital:

The first Clinical Research Ward was established at Veterans General Hospital-Taipei in September 1991. The Clinical Research Ward comprised 36 research beds, 16 of them were designated for gastro intestinal cancer. This ward was intended to carry out clinical trials of new drugs and new protocols in the search for more effective cancer therapy by integrating the efforts of pre-clinical research and clinical pharmaco dynamics. The clinical service of this ward had been officially terminated by December 31th 2007.

The Clinical Research Ward at National Taiwan University Hospital:

The Clinical Research Ward at National Taiwan University Hospital has been established since September 1, 1995, and comprises 16 research beds with major research aims directed at gene therapy and the development of biological response modifiers. The Cooperative ward was officially closed at 2005. But currently the NHRI staffs provided in-patients services for their patients through the mechanism of joined care with NHRI staffs.

The Clinical Research Ward at Tri-Service General Hospital:

The Clinical Research Ward at Tri-Service General Hospital has been established since Feb 1, 2006 and comprises 21 research beds with Division of Hematology and Oncology, TSGH. Due to limited patient’s referral and the consideration of geographic cancer care / resource balancing, the Cooperative Ward Project was terminated by August 31th 2007. Most of the manpower was moved to Tainan for National Cancer Research Center Southern Branch.

The Clinical Research Ward at National Cheng-Kung University Hospital:

The Clinical Research Ward at National Cheng-Kung University Hospital has been established since Aug 1, 2007 and comprises 30 research beds with Division of Hematology and Oncology, NCKUH. The goal of establishment of "National Cancer Research Institute Southern Branch", in collaboration with National Cheng-Kung University Hospital, is magnificent. It is an assignment from Cancer Act – a law initially proposed by Professor Jacqueline Whang-Peng and passed by Legislation Yuan, which can be one of the most important decisions and actions to facilitate the cancer patient care and clinical cancer research in Taiwan. With the closure of most clinical service in Taipei by the end of last year, more NHRI staffs will join the team since 2008. In addition, with the approval of IRB for several ongoing clinical trials, the bed occupancy is expected to drastically increase in the near future.

II. Future Direction:

With the movement of Clinical part of National Institute of Cancer Research to Tainan to establish the National Cancer Research Center Southern Brach in 2007, and we more focus our effort on: In collaboration with National Cheng-Kung University (NCKU) Hospital to establish the National Cancer Research Center Southern Branch, aiming to promote the in basic-clinic interaction, among the clinical staffs and basic scientists of NHRI and NCKU/NCKUH. Furthermore, to expand the collaboration of National Cancer Research Center Southern Branch with other major medical centers and teaching hospitals, to promote the cancer patient care, and clinical and translational cancer research in South Taiwan.

The final goal of our clinical research program is the development of novel anti-cancer treatment and new anti-cancer drugs, to achieve the best quality of good medicine through the collection and analysis of accurate clinical treatment data. Hopefully, the new and first hand anticancer drugs can be reasonably available to every needed patient.