different from each other in how it is treated. There are also lots of promising new complex multimodality treatments in each cancer type, so it is important to get everyone in the tumour stream working together on what is best for the patient,’ she said. ‘I really hope to foster an inspirational environment to learn from each other, whether we are talking about research, patient management or teaching, to come together to improve things further.’ On research, she plans to build a page on the Centre’s website that lists current cancer research by tumour stream and provides contact details of the principal investigators from various departments and schools, so other researchers can get in touch. Teachers in each tumour stream will work together in the new eight-week oncology block of the MBBS curriculum, using several common cancers as springboards to illustrate general principles of cancer management. The whole-team approach will be reinforced with regular service meetings and educational sessions where clinicians and scientists present their work to each other and thereby encourage collaborations. Professor Hui is also keen to step up cancer clinical trials and bring new treatments within reach of more patients. She plans to develop a dedicated clinical trials unit in CancerMed that will have its own manager to provide training for study co-ordinators and internships for students. In the longer term, she hopes to develop an app similar to the one available in Australia that provides information on clinical trials underway in the area, so patients and their physicians can consider the options. Development of new drugs gives more hope to patients, but it means higher cost for patients and healthcare systems. Phase III trials are particularly attractive because the treatments will have already undergone certain safety and efficacy tests and offer treatment that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive. ‘I have a passion not only to advance knowledge, but also to provide patients with improved, timely access to the new standard of care without selffunding the drugs,’ she said. ‘Enrolling patients in clinical trials ↑Professor Hui strives to expand cancer patients' access to timely provision of new treatment options. has proven to be an effective way to get new and better drugs to patients in this rapidly evolving field. I hope to increase the awareness of cancer patients and the general Hong Kong population of the benefits and safety of joining clinical trials.’ There is also a personal reason in her desire to serve the people of Hong Kong. ‘HKU as well as Hong Kong are close to my heart. I was born in Hong Kong and my late father-in-law Dr HY Mok was a King Edward VII scholar at HKUMed, my grandfather Dr PM Hui MBE a physics senior lecturer and my aunt Dr WH Hui MBE a chemistry lecturer at HKU. I want to be able to use my skills and experience to contribute back and, in a way, return to my roots,’ she said. 13 HKUMed News Summer 2023
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