TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National Chung Cheng University Principal Tsai Shaw-jeng (蔡少正) received the Tien Te Lee Biomedical Award for his research on pancreatic cancer and endometriosis, a condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus.
The university said that Tsai is a leading authority on uterine disorders, per CNA. His research suggests that hypoxic conditions and genetic factors may contribute to the development of the condition. He also found that its aggressive form closely resembles the spread pattern of cancer cells, providing medical researchers with insights for developing new treatments.
Tsai’s team discovered that a protein called dual specificity phosphatase-2 is important in stopping cancer cells from worsening. When the body lacks this protein, cancer may progress more quickly. The researchers said that in low-oxygen conditions, the protein does not work as well, which may help cancer grow, spread, and become resistant to treatment.
The team also found the protein is linked to treatments for cervical, colorectal, breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. Pancreatic cancer is among the most difficult to treat because it responds poorly to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It is also hard to detect early due to its location and progresses rapidly.
The university noted that Tsai excels at identifying issues from samples and developing potentially effective drugs. His research methods provide an important foundation for medical innovation and precision medicine.
At Monday’s award ceremony, Tsai thanked his team for their efforts and hopes that his research could lead to new treatments for hard-to-cure diseases.
According to National Cheng Kung University, Tsai is an alumnus and former professor. He has published 130 papers on uterine disorders and cancer drug resistance, which have been cited more than 7,700 times, making him one of the world’s leading medical experts.
Chen San-yuan (陳三元), a professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, also won the award for his research in nanomedicine, focusing on tiny magnetic particles that deliver drugs, which could help overcome limits in cancer treatment.
