Expert Insight

In a recent expert discussion with Professor Nirmala Kampan, a gynecologic oncologist and pioneer of SLN mapping in Malaysia, shared her perspectives on the evolving role of this technique, from evidence-based outcomes to future innovation and directions in patient-centered care in EC.

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has become a groundbreaking treatment for hematologic malignancies, particularly in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Building on its success in these indications, CAR-T therapy is now emerging as a promising option for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM), offering new hope for those with limited treatment options. However, the challenge of introducing CAR-T therapy into healthcare systems in Asia, is multifaceted. In an interview with Omnihealth Practice, Dr. Sivakumar Palaniappan, a consultant hematologist from Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia shed light on the region’s diverse healthcare landscape and the need for careful consideration of demographic, economic, and cultural factors to ensure broad and equitable access to this innovative treatment.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has historically been one of the most aggressive forms of leukemia and an oncological emergency, characterized by rapid progression and high early mortality rates.1 Traditional chemotherapy treatments often led to dismal prognoses, but the discovery of targeted therapies such as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) has revolutionized its management.1 The ongoing evolution of ATO formulations is highlighted by an Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia Asian Consortium (APL-AC) study, which examines the efficacy and safety of oral-ATO. This study underscores the potential of oral-ATO not only to enhance patient outcomes in APL but also to provide a more convenient and cost-effective option.2 In an interview with Omnihealth Practice, Dr. Gill Harinder Singh Harry, the study’s lead investigator, described how the development of an oral formulation of ATO has further transformed the treatment landscape, offering significant improvements in survival rates, quality of life (QoL), and healthcare resource utilization. 

Penicillin antibiotics are celebrated for their extensive bactericidal activity and overall safety, making them the most commonly prescribed antibiotics worldwide. However, the mislabeling of penicillin allergies poses a significant public health issue, especially in Mainland China. Current PST practices in the region have resulted in a concerning number of falsely labeled penicillin “allergies”. In an interview with Omnihealth Practice, Professor Philip H Li discussed a recent study from his team that critically examined the differences in PST practices between local and national settings. The study highlighted how non-evidence-based testing methods contribute to the high prevalence of incorrect penicillin allergy labels. Prof. Li also detailed the variations in testing practices, their public health implications, and potential strategies for reforming penicillin allergy management in China.

The Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and  Gynaecologists (HKCOG) has recently updated its guidelines on the prevention and screening of cervical cancer. The latest recommendations incorporated recent evidence on the role of co-testing with human papillomavirus (HPV)-based screening and cytology-based screening. In an interview with Omnihealth Practice, Dr. Wong, Ching-Yin Grace shared the rationale behind co-testing as the preferred testing modality in  The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong as it offers concurrent triaging. The combination of sensitivity with HPV tests and the specificity with cytology tests allows for a more lenient screening schedule for women in Hong Kong without compromising the benefit of cervical cancer detection.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare, yet potentially life-threatening, inheritable disease characterized by episodic attacks of cutaneous and submucosal swelling. Unfortunately, the adoption and implementation of international guidelines established in Asia-Pacific (AP) populations remains limited due to a lack of expertise, infrastructure, public awareness, and access. In an interview with Omnihealth Practice, Professor Philip Li, Board Director of the Asia Pacific Association of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (APAAACI) and lead author of a recently published epidemiologic study of HAE in the AP region, outlined the regional epidemiologic characteristics of HAE, current challenges and priority areas that require attention to optimize HAE management in the AP region. He also shared insights regarding the most recent Hong Kong-Macau Severe Hives and Angioedema Referral Pathway (SHARP) which offers guidance on patient stratification and referral strategies in patients with urticaria.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic disorder that can lead to a high disease burden and repeated hospital admissions due to its ability to facilitate a multitude of subsequent morbidities.1 Conventional studies often focus on investigating the risk of time-to-first events in T2D patients, giving limi

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA)/ European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) guideline, a patient-centered approach to type 2 diabetes (T2D) management should be adopted with the goal of not only preventing complications but also optimizing patients’ quality of life.1 To achieve these goals, factors that affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL) such as social determinants of health, psychosocial well-being, and health behaviors are key considerations in glycemic management strategies for patients with T2D.1 At the EASD Annual Meeting 2023, Professor Chan, Chung-Ngor Juliana from the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong presented the results of a cross-sectional analysis of HRQoL in patients with T2D treated with oral glucose-lowering drugs (OGLDs) who were enrolled in the Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) Register. In a subsequent interview with Omnihealth Practice, Prof. Chan shared further insights on the application of the JADE® Program, shedding light on the dynamics between glycemic management strategies and patients’ HRQoL.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a novel post-infectious inflammatory condition associated with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), characterized by prolonged fever, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and rash. To some extent, the disease resembles Kawasaki disease (KD), toxic shock syndrome (TSS), and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), increasing the difficulty in differential diagnosis in clinical practice. In an interview with Omnihealth Practice, Dr. Cheung, Wai-Yin Eddie discussed the challenge of evaluating suspected MIS-C cases in real-life scenarios and emphasized the importance of timely intervention among children who were infected with or recently recovered from COVID-19. He also shared a clinical case of a 7-year-old girl with MIS-C who presented with early MIS-C symptoms and was managed with immunomodulatory treatment, swiftly achieving favorable outcomes.