On February 5, the National Cancer Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Disease Control under the Ministry of Health, hosted a seminar titled “Strengthening lung cancer prevention and early screening: International experience and Vietnam’s strategy.” On the sidelines of the event, Professor Le Van Quang - Director of K Hospital and Head of the National Cancer Institute - confirmed that preparations are underway to begin clinical use of the drug.

The medication, called Pembroria, contains the active ingredient pembrolizumab and is an immunotherapy produced in Russia. It was granted market authorization by the Drug Administration of Vietnam in November 2025.

According to Prof. Quang, although Vietnam already had access to pembrolizumab-based immunotherapies from major pharmaceutical companies, their high cost made them less accessible. The Russian-made version offers comparable effectiveness but at a significantly lower price, which could greatly ease the financial burden on patients. Once procurement and insurance procedures are completed, the drug will be introduced into hospital treatment protocols.

Regarding lung cancer diagnosis, Prof. Quang emphasized the growing importance of early screening, particularly for high-risk groups. The recommended method is low-dose CT scanning, which can detect even small lesions. Patients identified with abnormalities are closely monitored or referred for advanced diagnostic procedures.

Vietnam has also adopted cutting-edge technologies for cancer diagnosis and treatment, including PET/CT, MRI, and molecular testing. These methods help identify both common and rare genetic mutations, enabling physicians to prescribe personalized therapies. Many targeted drugs are already available domestically, and others can be imported upon demand.

In terms of surgical interventions, advanced techniques like minimally invasive laparoscopy and robotic surgery are now widely used, minimizing trauma and speeding up recovery. For radiotherapy, Vietnam has also implemented modern methods such as VMAT, IMRT, and SBRT to improve treatment outcomes while reducing side effects.

Looking ahead, Prof. Quang said that the health sector will focus on expanding early lung cancer screening among high-risk populations - such as the elderly, long-term smokers, and those exposed to secondhand smoke. However, scaling up screening programs depends heavily on financial resources. Currently, K Hospital is running several low-dose CT screening projects supported by private enterprises, and it hopes to attract further funding from the government and social organizations.

Prof. Quang reiterated that tobacco remains the primary cause of lung cancer, accounting for over 90% of all cases, including both active and passive smokers. Other contributing factors may include prolonged exposure to environmental toxins such as benzene, particularly in industrial zones.

 
Phuong Thuy