China Medical University Hsinchu Hospital has established the Precision Health and Immune Diagnostic Testing Center. Hospital Director Chen Ziliang stated that the center aims to assist medical care with precision medicine testing, promote overall human health and immune balance, identify risk factors for cancer and cardiovascular diseases early on, and improve cancer prevention and treatment rates through early detection and treatment.
Dr. Yang Jing-an, Director of the Laboratory Department, pointed out that the center's laboratory provides clinicians with real-time, high-sensitivity tests such as circulating tumor DNA and circulating cancer cells. These tests help monitor the status of physical tumors in patients and determine if there are residual microscopic tumors. They also aid in identifying potential targeted therapies or immunotherapeutic drugs and predicting a patient's potential resistance to chemotherapy drugs. Through teamwork, the center aims to achieve personalized precision medicine.
In one case, a 60-year-old patient with stage II colorectal cancer was being monitored during treatment. Blood tests revealed that although the traditional tumor markers (CEA, CA19-9) had decreased to within the reference range, circulating cancer cells released from multiple colorectal tumors were detected in the blood, indicating the presence of residual microscopic tumors. As a result, the clinical team discussed and intensified the treatment plan. After one year of further monitoring, the number of circulating cancer cells in the patient's blood significantly decreased, and imaging studies showed a reduction in tumor size.
Dr. Yang Jing-an also mentioned a case involving a 50-year-old patient with no symptoms. Two years ago, during an employee health check-up, myocardial hypertrophy was detected. The patient was subsequently followed up in the cardiology outpatient clinic. Upon the physician's recommendation, the patient underwent whole-exome sequencing and was found to have a mutation in a myocardial protein gene associated with late-onset hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which increased the risk of sudden fainting or sudden death. Due to a family history of heart-related conditions, family members were advised to undergo blood screening. Currently, the patient is under continuous monitoring and clinical management.
Chief Medical Technologist Lin Jianyou of the Laboratory Department stated that the Precision Health and Immune Diagnostic Testing Center offers various tests, including immune monitoring of circulating tumor cells, whole-exome sequencing, monitoring of circulating cancer genes in the blood, and genetic testing for chemotherapy drug toxicity in colorectal cancer. The hospital also provides precision medicine consultation clinics for children and adults with autoimmune inflammatory diseases and other complex conditions. For inquiries, please contact 03-5580558#1418.
