上海最乾淨、高級的醫院: 台獨資上海禾新醫院

上海禾新醫院 走頂級路線 【經濟日報】 2011.09.02 聯新國際醫療集團旗下，大陸首家台資獨資醫院上海禾新醫院，最快今年9月底就可對外試營運，服務長三角廣大台商。值得注意的是，上海禾新醫院也是兩岸簽屬ECFA後，首家拿到經濟部核發「服務提供者證明」，今年7月14日通過大陸衛生部審核批准的首家台商獨資醫療機構。聯新國際醫療集團負責人、台灣壢新醫院院長、上海辰新醫院院長張煥禎表示，台灣醫療機構能到大陸開辦獨資醫院，不但可免除過去合資經營容易產生合作糾紛等問題，且自ECFA上路到禾新醫院即將邁入試營運階段，歷時僅七個多月，顯示大陸在ECFA簽署後，對台展現的善意。此外，張煥禎表示，為解決台商急症醫療需求，禾新醫院在台企聯支持下，預計於9月27日開通「兩岸緊急醫療救援公益專線」，連接上海禾新與台灣壢新兩岸醫療資源。針對有緊急醫療需求的大陸台商，提供回台就醫等一連串相關服務。張煥禎指出，台灣以專業的醫療技術、醫院管理聞名於世，這些都是大陸本地醫院急欲取經的重點項目。未來禾新醫院的發展，將有別與大陸本地醫院，服務的對象除是在大陸工作的台灣人，此外還包含境外人士、大陸本地高收入群體。同時擔任大陸國務院深化醫藥衛生體制改革專家諮詢委員會第一屆委員的張煥禎表示，禾新醫院未來將打造高端服務醫療服務中心、大陸地區台商緊急醫療救護轉運中心、大陸全科醫療培訓中心及台灣健康產業上海展示等四個中心。他自豪地說，「未來禾新絕對是上海最乾淨、最高級的醫院。」

台灣護士落跑! 護士荒….

未來美國護士年薪6萬美金　台灣護士錢少事多累到趴NOWnews.com 今日新聞網2011年9月4日美國最近有份研究指出，隨著「戰後嬰兒潮」世代年滿65歲，美國亟需大量銀髮族照護人員，因此護士可能成為未來10年最熱門高薪工作，預估平均年薪高達6萬4千多美金（約195萬台幣）。相反地，據《聯合晚報》報導，台灣護理人員的工作環境並不理想，使得4成持有證照的護士「落跑」。國內22萬有證照護士中，目前僅有13萬多人仍在執業。中華民國護理師護士公會全聯會秘書長呂月榮指出，這是因為國內護理人員薪資水平不高：一般新進護理師月薪約3萬多元，比藥師和營養師都低。不僅薪資水平差強人意，護士的工作繁瑣沉重，也壓得他們喘不過氣來。以白天班護理人員來說，一個人要照顧8至11人；輪值晚班或大夜班時，一人則要負責多達10到20名病人，跟國外護士平均照顧4到5人的情況成天壤之別。無法忍受錢少、事多的工作環境，台灣許多持有證照的護士因而「落跑」。據《聯合晚報》報導，今年全聯會向醫院進行問卷調查，結果發現國內醫院出現嚴重護士荒，平均有6%至10%的缺額，而且越來越難招募到人手。呂月榮認為，唯有調高待遇，才能吸引更多有證照護士投入護理工作。她指出，由於護理人員為數眾多，大部分的醫院擔心調高護士薪資將大幅增加經濟負擔，因此不願意調薪。無論如何，台灣早已步入老年化社會，因此政府和各醫院必須趕緊改善護士人力短缺的問題。

新流感疫苗vs 嗜睡症

國外研究：新流感疫苗恐致嗜睡症日期：2011.09.02 根據路透社的報導指出，芬蘭國家衛生研究所發現由葛蘭素（GlaxoSmithKline）公司出產用於對抗新流感的疫苗「Pandemrix」經研究證實，可能會造成兒童罹患嗜睡症的風險。衛生署疾管局則指出，台灣並未進口葛蘭素公司出產的「Pandemrix」疫苗，民眾可以放心。研究指出，儘管嗜睡症和遺傳因素也有關係，但經過調查發現，有接種過新流感疫苗的孩童得到嗜睡症的機率比未接種過疫苗的孩童風險增加了12.7倍。不過研究也發現，4歲至19歲青少年在接種過疫苗後得到嗜睡症的人數並未有明顯的增加，目前法國、瑞典等其他歐陸國家也在歐洲藥品管理局（EMA）的指示下持續研究接種新流感疫苗對於孩童罹患嗜睡症風險的關聯性。根據本報先前的報導指出，所謂的「嗜睡症」主要是因為腦幹中的睡眠覺醒中樞功能出問題，而產生過度嗜睡、猝倒、睡眠癱瘓，以及入眠期幻覺等4大主要的症狀。目前大多使用中樞神經興奮劑來治療嗜睡的症狀，而其他症狀則會使用抗憂鬱劑來處理，由於嗜睡的情形可能發生在任何時候，若在行車當中發作很可能就會造成生命危險。因此，若發現疑似嗜睡症的症狀，應盡速尋求醫師的診斷及協助。

在地食材36_國健局推薦!!!

88本健康好書 國健局推薦 【2011/09/03 聯合報】衛生署國民健康局昨天公布優良健康讀物，評審專家從500本參賽書籍中，選出88本包括婦、幼、老三代的健康好書，其中「元氣周報」專欄集結的《在地食材36》亦獲選推薦讀物。台灣每年出版4萬6千本書，若以每人每天看書8小時計算，平均每本書的閱讀時間不到4分鐘。為避免民眾淹沒在龐雜的健康訊息，國健局每兩年都會公布健康好書推薦，希望在有限時間與金錢下，民眾能選擇有益身心好書閱讀，「身體健康可救健保。」副局長趙坤郁說。聯經出版的《在地食材36》獲選今年度的中老年組讀物，書中以西醫、中醫及營養師的專業論點，介紹周遭易取得的食材，教導民眾如何挑選，烹飪出健康美味料理，相當貼近生活。另外，擔任兒童及青少年組評審的衛生署前署長楊志良，對於《這麼大，那麼小》的翻譯童書印象深刻。他說，有些事大人覺得孩子小，不可做；但有些事，父母又認為孩子長大必須自己處理，親子間的心理溝通其實很有趣。楊認為，每個人需學習健康知識，因為最重要的健康照護者是自己，學校應該購買這些推薦好書。

牙醫衛生師立法 難!

長壽台灣 牙醫衛生師也熱門 【2011/09/03 聯合晚報】人口老化時代來臨，照顧銀髮族的牙齒，「牙醫衛生師」在美國成為熱門行業，薪資看漲，國內牙醫師表示，雖然國內的牙醫衛生師尚未完成立法，但隨著國人壽命延長，為了預防蛀牙、增加牙齒使用年限，未來這個新興行業在台灣也極具潛力。中華民國牙醫師公會全聯會會務顧問、牙醫師蘇鴻輝表示，在美國、日本、德國等國家有牙醫衛生師，主要是協助牙醫師從事洗牙、諮詢等口腔保健的工作，否則牙醫師衛教的時間成本較高，患者得花很高的費用。蘇鴻輝說，國內對牙醫衛生師的職務分工尚未完成立法，但目前包括高雄醫學大學、台北醫學大學等學校，有口腔衛生系等科系招生，學生畢業後可擔任牙醫助理工作，有些醫院也招募口腔衛教師，但在立法前，因為不具醫師資格，還不能從事醫療行為。但蘇鴻輝也說，隨著平均壽命延長，醫療市場結構發生變化，牙醫衛生師不僅在美國變得越來越搶手，未來國內也有機會更倚重牙醫衛生師的角色，避免蛀牙發生，延長牙齒的使用年限。蘇鴻輝說，老人家常有缺牙、牙周病、以及牙周萎縮造成牙根蛀牙，觀察門診中的老年人，若牙齒越健康，咀嚼功能不受影響，不會因此營養不良，身體狀況越好。不過由於牙醫衛生師的立法在國內已經拖了好幾年，因此也有口腔醫學系的畢業生對未來仍感到悲觀。

秀傳醫院遠距照護

秀傳遠距照護 3年救百位老人 【2011/09/03 聯合報】竹山秀傳醫院昨天發表3年來，銀髮族遠距照護系統的服務成果，共照護竹山鎮和鹿谷鄉9個村里的社區老人，不僅能在社區健康檢查，還有緊急按鈕30秒內連絡醫院。院長謝輝龍說，至少有103名老人靠著緊急按鈕，從生死關頭救回來。 竹山秀傳醫院從98年來，在竹山和鹿谷兩鄉鎮安裝遠距照護系統，老人可在家中或社區進行健康檢查，數據靠電腦回傳給醫院，院方馬上能評估資料，不用再舟車勞頓；也有387戶安裝緊急按鈕，只要老人按下按鈕，30秒內連線醫院，馬上派人出車。謝輝龍說，這套系統能減免健保支出，例如例行性的慢性病檢查，老人不用再舟車勞頓跑醫院，不會造成醫療浪費，像是「生理量測」每月可達4000人次，這些人都在電腦前健康檢查，免跑醫院也能照顧自己的身體。指導老人使用系統的紫南宮委員黃新吉說，一開始老人們很排斥新科技，認為有病就該去醫院，或是買了一大堆藥放在家中，但經過院方衛教輔導，他們現在懂得每天自行量血壓、照護自己的身體。研討會也邀集中華經濟研究院、國立清華大學和研發廠商一起交流成果，希望產官學三界將這套照護系統能推廣至全國。

健亞生技上櫃!

櫃買中心審議通過健亞生技上櫃案 (自立電子報2011/09/02)櫃檯買賣中心9/2召開上櫃審議委員會，審議通過健亞生技(4130)申請上櫃案。健亞生技申請時資本額8.49億元，董事長梁榮江，推薦證券商元富證券、元大證券及群益金鼎證券。該公司99年度營收為3.02億元，稅前純益為3999萬元，每股稅後純益為0.43元。

長庚醫院於桃園縣建立失智中心

長庚將設失智症日照中心2011-09-03 中國時報　桃園縣有近八成五失智症患者因未及時治療，造成家庭經濟負擔。縣府衛生局與長庚醫院舉辦一系列失智症活動，二日由縣長吳志揚與林口長庚醫院院長王正儀等人共同開鑼，象徵活動起跑。王正儀並宣布，長庚明年將成立桃縣首家失智症日間照顧中心，提供民眾更完整的醫療照護。縣長吳志揚表示，失智症患者可能帶給家庭的極大負擔，希望民眾都能透過一系列的活動，認識並學會如何關懷照顧家中老人，以期早日發現、早期診斷。　失智症月系列活動包括每周播放一場的電影欣賞《被遺忘的時光》、八日的家屬照顧訓練班、十七日舉辦的「健康不老王國歷險記」嘉年華會、廿二日失智症照護專案人員研討會、廿八日的心靈咖啡坊等，歡迎民眾參與。

許友恭: 醫藥開發 首重智財與法規!!

新興市場新藥開發利基大2011-09-05 工商時報   在國際大藥廠對新藥開發充滿疑慮並放慢開發速度下，台灣微脂體董事長洪基隆認為，新興市場醫藥消費爆發力強勁，預計在2015年即可和歐美地區形成三足鼎立的情勢，加上經濟成長動能轉強，台灣藥廠還是有很大的發展利基，研究特殊華人疾病或開發新劑型藥依舊可創造奇蹟。　就現況來看，歐、美、日本等先進國家持續發生的財務赤字，導致醫改政策偏向發展學名藥政策，在新藥審核趨向嚴格，且開發過程風險和金額都提高下，目前國際大藥廠開發新藥速度已呈現緩慢現象。　Vivo(維梧)創投合夥人孔繁建認為，新藥開發逐漸聚焦，對生技產業的發展是好跡象，但是因新藥開發風險高，成本大，意向與有效執行間的距離，並沒有可依據「成功模式」而一蹴可幾的! 最近包括葛藍素等幾個藥廠的高階主管，就認為新藥研發的鉅額研發預算、嚴謹的預算審查過程，到終端市場的接受度，其成效往往是差強人意，因此，大廠對於持續開發新藥的意願也備受關注。　洪基隆認為，過去全球醫藥消費的市場比重，美國以約40％居冠，其次是歐洲約35％，日本則以約20％排行第三。　但隨著新興國家經濟力起飛，用藥量持續成長，包括中國、蘇俄、印度等17個國家的其在醫藥消費的需求上，到2015年將與歐、美相當，成為三足鼎立的局面，在政策和基本面的激勵下，新藥開發會有不錯的空間，而採取專精的策略的小藥廠是有機會脫穎而出的。　洪基隆不諱言在新藥體檢愈來愈嚴格下，確實有不少國際大藥廠出現裹足不前的動作，但像諾華等積極型的藥廠依舊投入研發。  　洪基隆說，諾華的CEO說過，基於對基因的研究，即使是十分稀少的疾病，也應投入治療該疾病的新藥。諾華就曾經研究過一個每年只有幾百個病人的疾病，由於人數很少，僅找了幾十個人，就非常完整的了解此基因，也透過此基因的研究，更延伸至其它領域。　雖然投入新藥，若順利成功，將大舉提升其在國際市場的地位，對國家的形象也有加成作用，但美國Optimer和台灣浩鼎生技研發長許友恭則提醒，投入新藥研發需要留意法規和申請智財權保護的時間。　被認為是抗生素專家，並已經成功開發出治療偽腸性腸炎Fidaxomicin新藥上市的許友恭認為，Neurocrine藥廠曾經開發一個安眠藥，並已完成三期臨床，結果由於有一個病人有夢遊現象，就終止了此藥上市的命運。　另外，有一個治療感染的抗生素ketolide， 原本已經在歐美上市了，卻因發現對肝臟有副作用，後來也下架。因此，許友恭認為，開發新藥要慎選題目，了解後市的經濟效益和預計開發時間和市場面的狀況，才不會白作工。

Pros and cons of introducing plant patent rights

 2011/09/03 Taipei, Sept. 3 (CNA) Taiwan's government wants to introduce patent rights for plants as part of efforts to promote the development of the country's biotechnology industry, but is facing opposition from some local farmers, environmental protection activists and scholars. Wang Mei-hua, director-general of the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Intellectual Property Office, said recently she was worried that the office's draft amendment to the Patent Act to introduce plant patents may not pass the Legislative Yuan this year. The amendment bill was screened by the relevant legislative committees in April but failed to proceed to the second reading because of disputes over a major revision to the 24th article, which currently states that animals, plants and essential biological processes for production of animals or plants are not entitled to invention patent. Wang said her office hopes the bill, which seeks to amend 108 articles, add 39 new ones and remove 15, will clear the Legislature in the new session that will start in mid-September. However, she said, after hearing the many opposing voices at a public hearing on the amendment bill last month, she fears it may not be passed soon. At the Aug. 16 hearing, Warren Kuo, a professor at the Department of Agronomy of National Taiwan University who specializes in seed technology and biotech law, argued that the introduction of patent rights for plants is not necessary because plants are already included in the protection of the variety rights. If patent rights for plants are adopted, local farmers and small-and-medium seed breeding companies will not be able to use special plant traits in the research and development of new breeds without worry they may be violating patent rights, Kuo said. Individuals or small seed breeding companies will not be able to find unique genes in plants that decide plant traits, only big cross-nation enterprises will be able to so, the scholar said. Adopting patent rights for plants will eventually lead to big companies' monopoly of good plant traits, which would prevent small breeding and research institutes, as well as farmers, from using them to create new varieties, Kuo contended. Echoing Kuo's views, Taiwan Orchid Growers Association President Kao Chi-ching pointed out that Taiwan's orchid industry could not break into the international flora market without the diversified research and development of small and medium-sized breeding companies on the island. He said adopting patent rights for plants will only benefit big business groups in the field of seed breeding, not the numerous small-scale breeders in Taiwan. In response, Wang explained that patent rights and variety rights are two different types of protection that can exist alongside each other. Many countries, like the United States, Japan and some European nations, all have the two systems to ensure full protection of inventions involving plants, she added. She further said that variety rights protect only the appearance of a plant, such as the purple color of a species of flower. But patents are used to protect the breeding techniques, which means protection of researchers' hard work, she said. There are currently 70 biotech departments and institutes at universities around Taiwan, and every year, around 10,000 graduates enter the biotech industry, Wang said. Without plant patent rights, the country's protection of intellectual property rights will be incomplete, she said. Furthermore, in the absence of a good protection system, foreign companies will not be willing to invest in Taiwan's biotech sector, she warned.

Eczema – 10 tips for children with eczema

By Professor Hywel Williams, Nottingham University, 1st September 2011

1. Treat skin inflammation with topical corticosteroids Many people think that topical corticosteroids cause damage to the skin, and therefore avoid using them altogether, or use them in tiny inadequate quantities. Whilst it is true that these anti-inflammatory creams can thin the skin if the wrong one (eg very strong) is used in the wrong place (eg centre of the face) for too long (eg 1 year continuously), they are very safe when used properly. It is very difficult to control skin inflammation (redness and itching and flaking) with just moisturisers alone.

2. Learn more about your topical corticosteroids Learn more about the different strengths of topical corticosteroid preparations from your doctor – stronger ones may be needed for the body and limbs, and weaker ones for the face. Scalp preparations are also available. Use a cream/ointment that works for you. Use it for a few days at a time rather than whenever you feel like it, so that the eczema under the skin is also treated. Always build in a break period of a few days rather than use them continuously. That way, it is very unlikely that you will develop any side effects.

3. Moisturise regularly Keeping your skin moist with a good moisturises is important, especially in between a flare up. Regular use of a moisturiser (emollient) helps to prevent flares and protect the skin from cracking. Take time to look after your skin daily even when it does not look red.

4. Find a moisturiser that you like Many moisturisers and emollients are now available through the NHS or over the counter. Try a few until you find one or two that you like. Sometimes a thinner cream is nicer for the face, whereas a thicker one is better for the body and during winter. Find one that is fragrance free. Recent research has shown that aqueous cream may irritate the skin. The best time to moisturise your skin is just after you have got out of the bath or shower.

5. Avoid soaps and bubble bath Soaps and detergents can take away too much protective oil from your skin. Instead, use soap substitutes such as cream moisturisers or thicker emollients mixed with water. Recent research has shown that water softeners do not help eczema, so there is no need to shell out for one unless you want one for protecting your water appliances.

6. Protect your skin Wearing gloves for washing up or for outdoor gardening or working on the car is important to protect your hands from repeated damage. Used oversized rubber gloves with cotton liners for wet work if rubber ones make your skin more itchy and sweaty. Cotton gloves are usually fine in the garden.

7. After swimming  Swimming is good for you, but the combination of water and chlorine can irritate and dry out your skin. Put plenty of moisturiser on your skin before you go swimming and again after you have dried off after the shower. Put the moisturiser on at the pool rather than wait to get home, but which time your skin has dried out again.

8. Come to terms with the condition Get used to the idea that there is no single "allergic" cause. Eczema is a combination of inherited factors combined with various things in the environment that can bring out eczema. Sometimes these things are allergic, such as dust, pollen and certain foods, and a lot of the time, they are non-allergic such as irritation from soap, wool clothing and changes in weather.

9. Watch out for skin infections Sometimes, the skin of people with eczema becomes infected. The skin may become sore, red and oozy and may develop pus spots. If this happens, you may need antibiotics from your doctor. Sometimes, the cold sore virus can spread rapidly on eczematous skin – see your doctor urgently if you think a cold sore has spread on your eczema.

10. Don't put up with terrible eczema Plenty of good advice is available from your local doctor or skin specialist. Lots of additional treatments are available for people whose eczema that does not seem to respond to usual first line treatment.

Understanding contact dermatitis and eczema

NetWellness August 31, 2011,  Contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin caused by contact with a certain substance. The substance, which can range from poison ivy to fragrance, prompts an allergic reaction of the skin. This skin inflammation can vary from redness to widespread rashes with open sores. Eczema (often used synonymously with the term dermatitis) can also result from an inherited dry, cracked skin with allergies to foods or pollen (atopic dermatitis) or from leg swelling (stasis dermatitis).

Understanding contact dermatitis Atopic dermatitis almost always starts during childhood, but contact dermatitis can first appear at any age. Patients are often diagnosed with atopic eczema during adulthood; however, this is most likely contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is curable, which is good news for many undiagnosed patients who continue to use potentially harmful steroids, in both cream and pill form, to treat their "eczema." Contact dermatitis is triggered by substances that cause an allergic reaction in certain people. Examples include:

‧Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. ‧Preservatives in personal care products (in industrial environments, preservatives are referred to as biocides). ‧Fragrances. ‧Adhesives. ‧Chemicals used in the workplace. ‧Dyes and finishes in fabrics/clothing.

Allergens cause a contact allergy when they touch the skin, and this reaction is almost always delayed. Immediate reactions can occur such as to latex, but skin takes several days after contact before a rash develops in response to most allergens. Respiratory allergies, in contrast, are much more immediate. For example, a person with a common allergy to pollen who is running through a grassy field would notice their nose running within minutes. On the other hand, if that person in the field had an allergy to the poison ivy, the rash may not be visible for three to seven days. In fact, this single brief contact with poison ivy can cause a rash that lasts for a month. This makes it difficult for patients to diagnose the source of their contact dermatitis or eczema. It's understandable to presume that a persistent rash, such as one that lasts for a month, is caused by something you come in contact with frequently. However, given the delayed reaction associated with contact dermatitis, the source could have been a substance that briefly or infrequently touched the skin. A contact dermatitis specialist has the tools to accurately determine the particular allergen.

Breakthrough testing, breakthrough results  Patch testing is the gold standard for diagnosing a contact allergy. In this test, a dermatologist applies patches that each contains a specific type of allergen. The patient wears the patches for 48 hours and returns to the office near day three and day seven of the test. This is because the reaction taking place between the skin and allergen is delayed, meaning it will take the skin time to show visible signs of an allergy. When the dermatologist notices redness at the test site, they have identified a substance to which the person is allergic. Physicians belonging to the American Contact Dermatitis Society even have access to unique software that allows the information gathered in the patch test to be translated into a tool for daily life. The software determines what substances the patient should avoid based on his or her allergy and what substances would make good alternatives. Even more useful, the substances to avoid and the substances to use are listed by category and brand name. In addition to useful software, contact dermatitis specialists use a patch test process that tests 75 to 100 allergens in most people. They can also add tests for other allergens based on the occupation of the patient. By avoiding the allergen causing the contact dermatitis, the patient can actually be cured of the condition.

The danger of steroids and contact dermatitis Often, contact dermatitis is diagnosed in patients as atopic eczema. In order to treat the symptoms, some doctors may prescribe corticosteroid skin creams or steroid pills (for example, Prednisone) for the patient. But this does not provide a cure and may present dangerous side effects for the person such as: glaucoma and cataracts when corticosteroid ointments or creams are used near the eyes for extended periods of time; thinning skin; weight gain; bones that break more easily; worsening of contact dermatitis or eczema. The best way to ensure you are getting the latest and safest treatment for your eczema or contact dermatitis is to see a contact dermatitis specialist. Information on finding a specialist near you can be found through the American Contact Dermatitis Society.

Team makes lung cancer breakthrough

A medical research team funded by the National Science Council (NSC) said it has discovered how to predict the effectiveness of targeted lung cancer therapies. The discovery would help doctors decide if they should to switch to alternative treatment methods for the 20 to 30 percent of patients for whom targeted therapy is currently ineffective, the team said.Lung cancer now ranks as the No. 1 cancer-related killer in Taiwan, accounting for about one-fifth of all fatal cancer cases.Yu Sung-liang (俞松良), an -assistant professor of the School of Medical Technology at National Taiwan University (NTU), said that about 50 percent of lung cancers are caused by mutations in the expression or activity of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR).Employing targeted therapy as a first-line treatment to cure EGFR mutation in lung cancer patients has proven effective, said Yu, but some patients still respond poorly to the treatment, or even develop a resistance to the drugs and need alternative therapies.The medical team — made up of researchers from the Institute of Statistical Science at Academia Sinica, the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology at NTU and the Development of Comprehensive Cancer Center at Taichung Veterans General Hospital — has identified a set of gene copy number imprints that can predict lung cancer recurrence and its survivability rate.The team compared the genes from 138 lung adenocarcinoma (a common type of lung cancer) patients, and discovered a difference in gene copy numbers between mutated EGFR and non-mutated EGFR. Yu said they found significant differences on the seventh pair of chromosomes and identified a further six genes on the chromosome that could effectively predict whether EGFR mutation lung cancer patients would respond well to targeted therapy.However, the advance prediction formula — which was calculated from observations of how much the mutation rate can be converted to a treatment response rate — needs to be backed up by further evidence from more cases in the actual trial period, said Li Ker-Chau (李克昭), director of Institute of Statistical Science at Academia Sinica.Currently, the 20 percent to 30 percent of patients who respond poorly to targeted therapy face delays in being switched to alternative treatments, but the new findings can assist doctors in better predicting the effectiveness of targeted therapy, saving valuable time, Yu said.The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology last month, and the team is now in the process of applying for patents in Taiwan, the US and other countries.The team added that the new findings would go into a three-year clinical trial period in the hopes of compiling data from 300 to 500 cases, starting in May next year. If the method proves to be effective during the trial period and it gets certified, the treatment will be available to the public in about four to five years, the team said.