The Li Ka Shing Foundation (LKSF) and Temasek Trust (TT) have committed S$12 million ($8.99 million) to bring innovative non-invasive ultrasound-based histotripsy tumor clinical trials to Singapore.

The duo said in a statement on Friday that the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) will each receive one Histotripsy System – the first of such to be available in Southeast Asia.

The funding from LKSF and TT will also support a clinical trial in Singapore for patients with liver, kidney, and pancreatic cancers, advancing regional cancer research and innovation.

Dickson Lim, Head of TTFA, said this is an important initiative to study the innovative non-invasive ultrasound-based cancer therapy in Southeast Asia.

“We are privileged to work alongside NCCS and NCIS to support clinical research and trials to use this novel modality that targets important cancers,

“Over time, we aim to attract additional philanthropic capital from other donors to sustainably support the next phase of cancer research,” he added.

It is noted that liver, kidney, and pancreatic cancers are on the rise across Asia, with Southeast Asia experiencing the fastest-growing incidence and mortality rates.

Factors such as aging populations, changing lifestyles, and environmental exposure contribute to the regional cancer burden.

In Singapore, liver cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death for men, with liver and pancreatic cancers among the top ten causes of cancer mortality.

These cancers often do not show symptoms until the later stages, making early detection and effective treatment difficult.

Developed by US medical company, HistoSonics, the HistoSonics Histotripsy System generates microbubbles that rapidly expand and collapse, producing shock waves that break down tumors at the cellular level.

This approach does not require surgery, and can non-invasively destroy tumors, including those that cannot be surgically removed.

Unlike surgery, radiotherapy, or traditional ablation, histotripsy requires no incisions or radiation, offering a painless, scarless, and bloodless treatment.

The application for the clinical trial using the HistoSonics Histotripsy System is being prepared.

Professor Brian Goh Kim Poh, Head of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, NCCS and Singapore General Hospital, and principal investigator of the trial, will work alongside a team of oncologists, interventional radiologists and researchers from both NCCS and NCIS.

“We plan to initiate trials for liver cancers first. While surgery and local ablative therapies are the main treatment modalities for liver cancers today, not all patients are suited to undergo these invasive treatments due to various factors such as patient fitness, tumor location or underlying liver disease,

“For these patients, innovations such as histotripsy offer an alternative option with potential advantages as it is non-invasive,” said Goh.

Associate Professor Glenn Kunnath Bonney, Senior Consultant, Division of Surgical Oncology, NCIS, said they are currently preparing for the clinical trial of histotripsy as a potential treatment approach for patients with liver and other complex cancers.

“This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding evidence-based options through rigorous research, with the goal of improving patient outcomes over time,” he added.

The clinical trial is slated to commence later this year, with a targeted enrolment of 40 patients who meet the trial criteria and are reviewed by a multi-disciplinary team.

To drive long-term impact in the region, the funding from LKSF and TT will be disbursed through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) managed by TTFA, the philanthropy advisory services arm of TT. Through the DAF, TTFA aims to attract additional capital from other donors over time to sustainably support the next phase of cancer research.

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