Hanoi (VNA) - A memorandum of understanding on collaborative research on primary cancer screening test N-Nose and cancer type specific test using N-Nose technology was signed between Hanoi Medical University, TH Group, and Japan’s Hirotsu Bio Science Inc. (HBS) in Hanoi on September 26.
Studying application of Japanese technology in Vietnam
Professor Ta Thanh Van, Chairman of the Hanoi Medical University Council, emphasized that the signing ceremony marks an important step in the financial collaboration with TH Group. It enables the university to implement tests on N-Nose technology for early cancer detection for Vietnamese people. Through research and human testing evaluations, Hanoi Medical University is committed to being a pioneer in this field.
"N-Nose is a groundbreaking cancer screening technology that enables early detection through a non-invasive urine test. By using genetically modified roundworms and advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning methods, this approach harnesses the biological characteristics of C. elegans to develop a range of technologies for early screening of various cancers from a single urine sample," stated the professor.
According to him, the university, TH Group, and HBS are conducting a collaborative project aimed at assessing the screening value of certain cancers in the Vietnamese population using N-Nose technology. Following clinical studies in Japan and Vietnam, N-Nose technology is expected to be deployed in Vietnam to provide an early cancer detection solution for the Vietnamese people.
Eric Di Luccio, Chief Technology Officer of HBS, stated that the event marks a successful start for the partnership between the two organizations from Vietnam and Japan. N-Nose technology, which uses urine for non-invasive testing at a very reasonable cost, represents a groundbreaking revolution in early cancer detection.
HBS will strive to make this testing increasingly effective and more accessible to the public, he said, adding that in Japan, the company has screened over 700,000 people and expects to conduct as many as 1 million tests within the next year.
He also mentioned that Vietnam is the first country in Southeast Asia chosen by the company to introduce and implement the research project. HBS hopes to facilitate early detection and support the treatment of cancer cases in Vietnam, he noted.
Preventive health care key to cancer prevention
In Vietnam, cancer is the second leading cause of death, following cardiovascular diseases. According to the Global Cancer Organization, an average of 180,000 new cancer cases are reported each year in the country, with approximately 122,000 deaths. The World Health Organization predicts that by 2040, new cancer cases in Vietnam will increase about 59.4% (equivalent to 291,000 cases), while cancer-related deaths are expected to rise approximately 70.3% or 209,000 cases.
Thai Huong, founder of TH Group, emphasized the importance of preventive health care, where nutrition and food safety are primary factors. Studies have shown that many diseases are linked to environmental factors and food safety issues, both of which are currently contributing to the growing cancer burden.
Thai Huong expressed TH Medical's desire to collaborate on the N-Nose technology project, stating that she and TH "do not want to miss any opportunity, no matter how small," to bring early screening technology for serious diseases to Vietnam.
"The N-Nose technology testing is fully financed by TH Group through the Vietnam Foundation. We are committed to long-term collaboration with Hanoi Medical University to effectively implement these research trials, contributing to the early detection of cancer for the Vietnamese people," she stressed./.
