Background: Tumor budding (Bd) has been demonstrated to be a promising prognostic factor in many carcinomas and in gastric cancer. It may represent an optimal additional parameter that is helpful for risk stratification in gastric adenocarcinoma. Hence, the present research was designed to predict the survival outcomes of gastric cancer in Vietnam, applying the tumor budding criteria of the International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference (ITBCC) 2016. Methods: The present study was conducted on 109 gastric cancer patients who underwent surgery but did not receive neo-adjuvant chemotherapy from 2012 to 2015. The patients’ clinicopathological features were recorded. Bd was evaluated according to the 2016 ITBCC criteria and classified as Bd1 (0–4 buds), Bd2 (5–9 buds), and Bd3 (≥10 buds) grades, in addition to being categorized into 2 main Bd groups: low (<10 buds) and high (≥10 buds) Bd. Kaplan–Meier and log-rank models were applied to analyze survival proportions. Results: Of all the patients, 22.9% were classified as Bd1, 31.2% as Bd2, and 45.9% as Bd3 grades. Furthermore, 54.1% patients were categorized into the low and 45.9% into the high Bd groups. Patients with Bd1 and Bd2 grades (the low Bd group) exhibited the best prognosis, with 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of 85.7%, 90.8%, and90.3%, respectively. Patients with Bd3 grade (the high Bd group exhibited the worst prognosis, and none of them lived for 5 years (p < 0.001). Similar to OS rates, disease-free survival (DFS) rates markedly reduced from the Bd1 to Bd3 grade: Bd1, 95.0%; Bd2, 84.7%; and Bd3, 0% (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with different gastric cancer Bd grades exhibited significantly different OS and DFS rates. The present study findings suggest that the ITBCC criteria can be used to stratify Bd for the treatment and prognosis of gastric cancer patients in Vietnam.

Background/Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region bearing a disproportionate burden. This paper examines HCC challenges within seven APAC health systems, identifies key barriers at each stage of the patient journey, and proposes tailored, actionable solutions. To effectively address HCC challenges, a stepwise approach should prioritise high-impact solutions, focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, and expanding surveillance to maximise health outcomes and economic benefits, while tailoring strategies to each health system’s unique resources and constraints. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, including expert consultations from the 2024 HCC APAC Policy Forum, a literature review, and a review of Japan’s HCC management model. Data were collected through workshops and stakeholder feedback from healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers and patient advocates across Australia, India, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Results: Key findings include significant disparities in HCC awareness, prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and access to treatment. Common challenges across APAC include limited public awareness, suboptimal surveillance infrastructure, and financial barriers to care. The integration of novel biomarkers and advanced surveillance modalities were identified as crucial priorities for improving early detection. Japan’s multi-faceted approach to HCC management serves as a successful model for the region. Conclusions: A customised and targeted approach is essential for reducing the HCC burden across APAC. The proposed recommendations, tailored to each health system’s needs, can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Effective collaboration among stakeholders is necessary to drive these changes.

Objectives: Though menstrual and reproductive factors have been associated with the risk of breast cancer in many populations, very few studies have been conducted among Vietnamese women. This study aimed to assess the association between menstrual and reproductive factors and the risk of breast cancer in Vietnamese women. Methods: A retrospective case-control study of 490 breast cancer cases and 468 controls was conducted in Northern Vietnam. Unconditional logistic regression models adjusting for confounders were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of menstrual and reproductive factors with the risk of breast cancer; overall and by cancer subtype. Results: Among breast cancer patients, the luminal B subtype was the most frequent (48.6%), followed by HER2-overexpressing (24.5%), luminal A (16.7%), and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC; 10.2%). Among menopausal women, menopausal age at 50 years or older (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.15-2.57 vs. <50 y) was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Earlier age at menarche (<13 y) was associated with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer (OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.08-7.51) among premenopausal women only and the luminal A subtype of breast cancer (OR = 3.06, 95% CI: 1.04-8.16). Having more than two children was associated with a reduced risk of premenopausal (OR = .42, 95%CI: .21-.83), luminal B (OR = .43, 95% CI: .24-.79), and TNBC (OR = .34, 95% CI: .14-.89). Later menopause was positively associated with the risk of breast cancer with HER2 overexpression (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.14-4.23). Conclusion: Associations of menstrual and reproductive factors with breast cancer among Vietnamese women, particularly for among premenopausal women and for the luminal A subtype, are generally consistent with those reported from other countries. These findings suggest that changes in menstrual and reproductive patterns among young Vietnamese women may contribute to the recent rising incidence of breast cancer in Vietnam.

Background: Data about the risk factors and pancreatic cancer in developing countries remain limited. We investigated for the first time the role of a number of risk factors (family cancer history, smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes, inflammation disease, HBV infection) associated with pancreatic cancer among Vietnamese patients. Methods: We included all patients hospitalized at 4 Northern Vietnamese hospitals (Vietnam National Cancer Hospital, Bach Mai, Viet Duc, Thai Nguyen) and diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during the period from 2017 to 2019. Risk factors of eligible patients were collected and assessed the associations using a matched control study and logistic regression model analysis. Results: We identified 196 patients with diagnosis of pancreatic cancer of which 114 males and 82 females. The average age of the patient at the time of diagnosis was 58.28 years (standard deviation of 12.94, ranging from 25 to 87). Most of patients were diagnosed at advanced stage (85%). Smoking, diabetes, inflammation disease significantly increased the cancer risks (OR and 95% CI were 2.42 (1.38-4.37), 3.09 (1.54-6.68), 2.21 (1.42-3.45), respectively). HBV infection demonstrated a significant link with pancreatic cancer in univariate model (OR = 2.94 (1.08-9.36)), but not in multivariate model. However, cancer family history and alcohol drinkers did not show any significantly increased risk related to pancreatic cancer. Conclusions: Our finding showed smoking, diabetes, inflammation disease significantly increased the risk of pancreatic cancer in Vietnam.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, have emerged as a major public health problem in Vietnam; however, NCD research in Vietnam is limited, primarily because of inadequate research infrastructures, funding, and well-trained investigators. To address these challenges, we established a US-Vietnam-China partnership to plan for building the V-CORE (Vietnam Center of Research Excellence on Cancer and Other Noncommunicable Diseases) with the support of a grant from the US National Cancer Institute. The objectives of this program are to assess the need and current NCD research capabilities and infrastructure in Vietnam and to develop and pilot test research capacity building/enrichment programs, including conducting two research projects for demonstration. Through a need- and capacity-assessment workshop, with participation of stakeholders in NCD research and prevention in Vietnam, we identified top priorities and gaps and needs in cancer and other NCD research in Vietnam. We organized two site visits for Vietnam National Cancer Institute delegates to observe epidemiologic research field operations, core laboratories, and biorepositories at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, as well as at several partner institutes in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. We organized an in-country workshop on the principles and methodology of epidemiology and biostatistics. We sponsored overseas training for 4 Vietnamese scholars. We conducted two demonstration projects: a case-control study involving 501 patients with breast cancer and 468 controls, and a community survey for diabetes and other metabolic conditions involving 1,035 urban and rural residents of Vietnam. We also jointly sponsored with Vietnam National Cancer Institute an international conference on cancer research and prevention in 2017, and jointly published 11 papers. Within a 3-year period, we have built a productive collaborative network and laid a solid foundation for building the V-CORE in Vietnam. We strive to maintain and expand the collaboration and bring the success of the National Cancer Institute grant work to full fruition.

Introduction: For patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) who are HER2-negative and ineligible for targeted therapies, chemotherapy remains the cornerstone of treatment. The modified docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (mDCF) regimen has been proposed as an effective and tolerable triplet regimen in this setting. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line mDCF in Vietnamese patients with HER2-negative AGC. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 64 patients with histologically confirmed HER2-negative advanced or recurrent gastric adenocarcinoma treated with mDCF at K Hospital, Vietnam, between January 2017 and January 2022. The regimen was administered every 14 days, consisting of docetaxel 40 mg/m ² , cisplatin 40 mg/m ² , leucovorin 400 mg/m ² , 5-FU 400 mg/m ² IV bolus, and 5-FU 2000 mg/m ² as a 48-hour continuous infusion. The primary endpoints were disease control rate (DCR) and progression-free survival (PFS). Safety was assessed as a secondary endpoint. Results: The overall DCR was 87.5%, including complete response in 9.4%, partial response in 59.4%, and stable disease in 18.7%. Median PFS was 8.7 months. Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicities occurred in 21.9% of patients, including neutropenia (15.6%) and thrombocytopenia (3.1%). No grade 3-4 non-hematologic toxicities were observed. Primary prophylactic G-CSF use was associated with a significantly lower incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia ( P < .05). In multivariate analysis, poor ECOG performance status (≥2) and poor histological differentiation were independently associated with shorter PFS ( P < .05). Conclusions: mDCF is an effective and tolerable first-line chemotherapy regimen for HER2-negative AGC patients in Vietnam. These findings support mDCF as a practical first-line option for HER2-negative AGC in real-world settings with limited access to targeted therapies.