The Asian Fund for Cancer Research is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Hong Kong that is committed to curing cancers that significantly impact Asian populations. It focuses on investigating cancers' causes in Asia and developing more effective therapies tailored for Asian patients. AFCR bridges scientific gaps in cancer research between Asia and the rest of the world by promoting international collaboration and funding projects. It supports multiple research programs investigating prevention strategies, early detection technologies, new drugs, and traditional Chinese medicines for cancers like lung, esophageal, and colorectal cancers.
1. Asian Fund for Cancer Research
A Hong Kong-Based, China-Focused, Worldwide Charity to Fight Cancer
2. Our Mission
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The Asian Fund for Cancer Research, Limited (AFCR) is a nonprofit organization committed to curing cancers of significant
impact for Asian populations.
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Headquartered in Hong Kong, AFCR is uniquely positioned to
implement in Asia the newest cancer research discoveries and
technologies from around the world, investigate the distinct
causes of cancer in Asian populations through innovative genetic
and molecular research, and develop more effective therapies
tailored to Asian cancer patients.
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AFCR bridges the scientific and educational gaps in cancer
research and cancer prevention between Asian countries and the
rest of the world through promoting, coordinating and funding
international collaboration in cancer research and public
education.
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We are devoted to reducing the incidence and increasing the
survival rate of cancers in Asia.
3. Our Focus
Investigating new and more effective prevention strategies to reduce cancer incidence.
Exploring more accurate early detection and diagnostic technologies.
Discovering new anti-cancer drugs that will stop the spread of cancer.
Developing targeted molecular therapies to personalize treatment regimens for cancer patients.
Modernizing and adapting traditional Chinese medicines for cancer treatment.
Providing prevention tips and nutrition education to the general public to help reduce cancer risk.
Fostering and facilitating collaboration among scientists across institutions and regions.
4. Our Approach
• Advancing Cutting-Edge Cancer Research
• Building an International Network to Defeat Cancer
• Creating Collaborative Platforms
• Promoting Public Awareness of Cancer
5. Leadership Team
Senior Management Team
• Sujuan Ba, Ph.D.
President and CEO
• Michael Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
Chief Operating Officer
• Kwok Leung, Ph.D.
Chief Financial Officer
Board of Directors
• Gary Gee Nung Wong, Chairman
Consultant, OLN Lawyers
• Kwok Fai Chan
Information & Communication Manager
The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong
• Albert Cheung-Hoi Yu, Ph.D.
Chairman & CEO, Hai Kang Life Corporation Limited
Chairman, Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization
6. Scientific Advisory Board
Webster Cavenee, Ph.D., Chairman
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
Anthony Chan, M.D.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Yung-Chi Cheng, Ph.D.
Yale University School of Medicine
Mien-Chie Hung, Ph.D.
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Paul Schimmel, Ph.D.
Scripps Research Institute
George Tsao, Ph.D.
The University of Hong Kong
7. Medical Advisory Board
Ronnie Poon, MBBS, MS, Ph.D., Chairman
The University of Hong Kong and Queen Mary Hospital
Tony S. K. Mok, M.D.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Waun Ki Hong, M.D.
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Edward Chu, M.D.
University of Pittsburg
Wai-Kwan Alfred Yung, M.D.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Ben Yong, M.D.
Pfizer Global Research and Development
8. Key Programs of AFCR at Glimpse
Research Programs - focused on cancers that have high impact on the Asian populations
Lung cancer
Esophageal cancer
Ovarian cancer
Colorectal cancer
International Collaborative Programs
Establishing International Research Partnership to Defeat Brain Tumor (GBM)
Connecting Chinese Glioma Cooperative Group (CGCG) with Defeat GBM
International Network
Gastric Cancer Project at the Tissue Bank Consortium in Asia
Accelerating Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Facilitating International Dialogues and Collaborations to Advance Cancer Research
9. Key Programs of AFCR at Glimpse (Cont’d)
• Public Education Program
Cancer Awareness
Cancer Detection Guidelines
Prevention Tips
―On Your Health‖ cancer-fighting guidance series
Direct Response Program
Reaching thousands of households in Hong Kong and other parts of Asia
Distributing public education materials on the latest progress in cancer prevention,
diagnosis and treatment
Raising funds for AFCR’s leading-edge cancer research and public education
programs
Digital Presence
Bilingual Website (English & Chinese)
Current research and activities at AFCR
Up-to-date cancer headlines & global news
AFCR progress reports
10. Research Programs
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Advancing Research for Asian Lung Cancer Patients:
Led by Professor Tony Mok at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Research on personalized lung cancer treatments for the Asian populations.
Results from this research are offering new insights into the mystery of how Asian patients with
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) develop resistance to targeted therapies.
Continued research can develop a promising approach to treating Asian lung cancer patients,
giving them the best chance for a longer life.
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Identifying Biomarkers for Early Detection of Esophageal Cancer:
Research on identifying ―biomarkers‖ that could be used to detect esophageal cancer
earlier or determine those individuals who are at high risk to develop it.
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Led by Professor Maria Li Lung at The University of Hong Kong.
A simple blood screening test for early detection of esophageal cancer can be the fruits
of this research.
Overcoming Treatment Resistance in Ovarian Cancer:
Led by Professor Wei Zhang at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA.
Develop a treatment that fights tumor’s resistance to standard chemotherapy that many ovarian
cancer patients eventually experience.
His team of international collaborators has identified a short piece of RNA called microRNA
(miRNA) that may be the key to sensitizing the tumor to chemotherapy, overcoming the problem
of resistance.
With continued success, the miRNA is likely to become a potent new therapeutic tool for ovarian
cancer that can overcome the drug resistance and save the lives of women with ovarian cancer.
11. Research Programs (Cont’d)
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A New Tumor Suppressor Gene and Potential Treatment for Colorectal Cancer
Patients:
Collaborate with Chinese scientists to confirm that the lack of a tumor suppressor gene in
some Asian colorectal cancer patients may explain why their cancer has spread.
The tumor suppressor gene can serve as a prognostic indicator to help doctors choose the
best treatment approach for their patients.
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Led by Professor Wei Zhang at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA.
The tumor suppressor gene may also serve as a target for the development of new
therapeutics to stop the spread of colorectal cancer.
Developing Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Colorectal Cancer Patients:
Led by Dr. Roberta Pang at The University of Hong Kong.
Develop a minimally invasive blood test that will accurately determine if colorectal
cancer patients are at risk for their cancer to spread, or if former patients are at risk for
their cancer to return.
The test is one of the ―next-generation‖ tools that doctors could use to diagnose and
treat cancer at earlier stages.
13. Establishing International Research Partnership to
Defeat GBM
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Initiated by AFCR and its sister organization in the U.S., the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR).
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A scalable, multi-investigator, multi-institutional interdisciplinary consortium focused solely on patients with
Glioblastoma (GBM), the deadliest form of brain tumor.
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A true international collaborative platform: China, US, UK, Germany, Brazil, Singapore and Australia.
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Enabling active public-private partnership and academia-industry collaboration on brain tumor research worldwide.
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Aim: to strengthen the research and expedite the translation of research outcomes into clinical applications for GBM
and other types of brain tumor.
• On April 5, 2013, AFCR, NFCR, the Beijing Institute for Brain Disorder
(BIBD) and Beijing Neurosurgical Institute (BNI) officially signed the MOU
(Memorandum of Understanding) of the international GBM collaboration
program in Washington DC.
• More than 40 leading cancer researchers and officials from both China
and the US, including Dr. Zhu Chen, Former Chinese Minister of Health,
attended the ceremony to support and witness the official launch of this highimpact collaboration program.
14. Connecting Chinese Glioma Cooperative Group (CGCG)
with the Defeat GBM International Network
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AFCR sent a delegation to attend the 2013 NFCR-CGCG GBM Conference co-organized by NFCR and CGCG on
July 5-7, 2013 in Nanjing, China.
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AFCR & NFCR connect CGCG with the Defeat GBM International Network.
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AFCR & NFCR, together with the Chinese partner institutions including Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Peking Union
Medical College Hospital, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, and Beijing Sanbo Hospital, organized the first meeting of the
Defeat GBM Initiative to discuss the clinical trial protocol of how to conduct GBM research in China.
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The first clinical trial in China testing targeted therapies for GBM will start soon.
15. TBCA Gastric Cancer Project
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Working in partnership with NFCR, AFCR is actively participating in infrastructure building and research program
developing for the Tissue Bank Consortium in Asia (TBCA), a collaboration platform that promotes biospecimenbased cancer research collaboration around the world.
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A research project focusing on gastric cancer has been initiated . The success of this project will positively impact
many areas of gastric cancer diagnosis and treatment, saving more lives from this deadly disease. AFCR is an active
driving force on this high-impact research project.
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On April 6, 2013, AFCR and NFCR co-hosted a roundtable meeting in Washington, DC, discussing the current
progress and future direction of the TBCA Gastric Cancer Project. TBCA academic and corporate members from both
China and US, including Tianjin Medical University/Institute, Amgen, Abbott Laboratories and Eli Lilly attended the
meeting and presented their updates and thoughts.
16. Accelerating Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM)
Advancing the modernization and scientific validation of TCM.
Building an International Center for TCM Research for Cancer Treatment with
NFCR in the US.
The Center will:
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Recruit top Chinese and US researchers who have expertise in TCM modernization in
cancer treatment.
Conduct preclinical studies using highly standardized research materials and protocols.
Perform rigorously monitored clinical trials according to the internationally recognized
standard, the Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP).
Expand the recognition of TCM’s medical functions and benefits in the world and
advance modernization of TCM in cancer treatment.
17. Sponsoring the 8th Annual Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research
Dinner and Award Ceremony
April 5, 2013 | Washington DC, USA
8th Prize Winner Dr. Alex Matter, CEO
of A*Star in Singapore
Dr. Sujuan Ba, 8th Prize Selection
Committee Co-Chair and AFCR President
8th Prize Selection Committee Chair Dr. Zhu
Chen and Co-Chair Dr. Sujuan Ba with 8th
Prize Winner Dr. Alex Matter
Dr. Zhu Chen, 8th Prize Selection Committee
Chair, 7th Prize Co-Winner, and Former Chinese
Minister of Health
Keynote Speaker Mr. John Castellani,
President of PhRMA
Mr. Franklin Salisbury, Jr.,
NFCR President
18. Organizing the “Asia-US Panel Discussion on Targeted Cancer Therapies
and Global Strategy for Clinical Development”
April 5, 2013| Washington, D.C., USA
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AFCR sponsors and organizes summit discussions among top academic researchers and industry
leaders from both Asia and the US on targeted therapies and global strategy for clinical development.
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Calls for a broader and more aggressive approach in both basic and clinical research collaborations
between the China, US, and other Asian countries.
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40 Attendees by invitation only, comprised off cancer research leaders of academia, government and
industry from Asia and US.
19. Organizing High-Level Meeting with Dr. Zhu Chen and Leaders of
Chinese Cancer Research Community in Beijing
July 8, 2013 | Beijing, China
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AFCR leadership met with many high-profile leaders in Chinese cancer research community to discuss the
framework and scope of a joint China –US Lab on GBM. The attendees included Dr. Zhu Chen, Former
Chinese Minister of Health.
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AFCR leadership finalized the partnership agreement with Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University
and Beijing Neurosurgical Institute. All parties agreed to seek state approval status for the China-US Joint Lab,
which will enable the lab to receive more financial resources and visibility in China.
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The Steering Committee of the China-US Joint Lab was assembled., co-led by Dr. Zhu Chen and AFCR
Scientific Advisory Board Chairman Dr. Webster Cavenee.
20. Public Education Program
Cancer Awareness Colors
To increase public awareness of various cancers and to understand cancer at the cellular and molecular
level—understanding the root causes of cancer.
Childhood Cancer Detection Chart
Comprehensive information for childhood cancer detection in one chart to help parents understand the
different types of cancer, such as leukemia and lymphoma, and how to detect any symptoms of those
diseases in their own children.
Cancer Detection Guide
To educate individuals about the latest cancer screenings and diagnostic tests for various cancers that
may help detect cancer early.
“On Your Health” Series
To provide cancer-fighting guidance to help people reduce their cancer risk through lifestyle and diet
change.
Prevention Tips for Ovarian Cancer
Detailed information about risk factors, symptoms and prevention tips for ovarian cancer, aiming to raise
more awareness in women of this ―Silent Killer.‖
21. Public Education Program (Cont’d)
Skin Cancer Prevention Tips
Practical skin cancer prevention guidelines to help keep people and their families skin cancer-free.
Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer
To help the general public better understand the risk factors of the disease so that they can minimize the risk
through adopting healthy lifestyles and taking regular colorectal cancer screening examinations.
Breast Cancer Examination
Guidance on periodic self-examination and screening that may help detect breast cancer early and save
lives.
Risk Factors for Lung Cancer
Providing the general public with risk factors for lung cancer and encourages people to live a healthy
lifestyle, which is crucial for lung cancer prevention.
Warning Signs of Cancer
Providing warning signs of a variety of cancers such as lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, uterine, ovarian,
cervical, and skin cancer.
Cancer-Fighting Recipes
A wide variety of healthy recipes, from traditional to new and interesting ones, to help people add more
healthy foods to their daily diet.
22. Direct Response Program
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Reaches thousands of
households in Hong Kong and
other parts of Asia.
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Delivers to our donors and
prospects:
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Cancer prevention tips
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Cancer screening and
detection guidelines
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Healthy recipes, and
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The latest research
updates of our programs
Hope for the Cure
Raises funds essential for the
leading-edge and life-saving
research and public education
programs at AFCR.
23. Digital Presence
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Continuously add new and fresh content onto
the bilingual website, including cancer
headlines, global news, cancer prevention
tips, events, etc.
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Feature key research projects and event
spotlights onto the flash board.
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Reach more audience through social
networking sites such as Facebook and
Twitter.
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Send out E-newsletters on a quarterly basis,
including research program highlights, events,
global news, healthy tips, etc.
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Send out periodic E-appeals for special
announcements and event promotions.
24. Taking Action Against Cancer
Coffee Wong Book Signing & Charitable Donation Event
March 23, 2013 | Hong Kong, China
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Mr. Eric Wong (nicknamed ―Coffee Wong‖), Former Director and General Manager of Bright Sun Coffee Co.,
Ltd and a dedicated supporter of AFCR, successfully hosted a book signing and charitable donation event for
his new book “Enjoy Coffee, Enjoy Life” to benefit AFCR’s life-saving cancer research projects.
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At the event, Coffee Wong shared his feelings and experiences of writing and publishing the book, and also
had a charitable sale for his new coffee flavor ―Happy Ha Ha Ha.‖
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All the net proceeds from the event, in total HK$45,688, was donated to AFCR.
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The newspaper Oriental Daily mentioned this successful event on its July 26 th issue.