As scientists, we spend much of our time in the lab studying genes, signaling pathways, and cellular behavior. In cancer biology, we ask detailed questions about how tumors grow, how they resist therapy, and how we might outsmart them. But our discoveries should not stop at the laboratory door. They should reach the doctors, the health policymakers, and most importantly, the patients.
When biology meets policy, we can turn research into action. We can shape smarter screening programs, guide more effective treatment guidelines, and build health systems that reflect the latest knowledge in cancer science. This connection is essential if we want our work to truly improve lives.
What the Estrogen Receptor Teaches Us About Resistance
In my research on breast cancer, one of the key areas of focus is endocrine resistance. Many breast tumors are initially sensitive to hormone therapy because they express the estrogen receptor, or ER. But over time, some of these tumors lose ER expression and stop responding to treatment. We have found that this loss can be caused by epigenetic silencing of the ESR1 gene, not by mutation or deletion.
This discovery matters not just for researchers but for clinicians and policy makers. If we can predict which patients are likely to lose ER expression, we can avoid ineffective treatments and move toward alternatives sooner. It also means that screening protocols, which often rely on receptor status at diagnosis, need to account for how that status may evolve during treatment.
Policies that support repeat biopsies, biomarker monitoring, and dynamic treatment planning could help tailor care more accurately, save costs, and reduce side effects for patients who would not benefit from standard hormone therapies.
Taiwan’s Health System as a Model for Integration
In Taiwan, we are fortunate to have a national healthcare system that collects comprehensive patient data and provides broad access to care. This system allows researchers and public health officials to work together more easily than in many other countries.
For example, the National Health Insurance Research Database contains decades of anonymized patient data that researchers can use to study cancer trends, treatment outcomes, and the long-term effectiveness of different therapies. When paired with molecular studies and clinical trials, this kind of data allows us to ask questions like: Which subtypes of breast cancer respond best to certain drug combinations? How does treatment timing affect survival? When should screening begin for women with specific genetic profiles?
In Taiwan, this level of integration has already improved screening programs for liver and cervical cancer, and I believe breast cancer can follow the same path, especially with more input from molecular biologists and epigenetic researchers.
Screening Must Keep Up With Science
Cancer screening programs have saved many lives by catching disease early, but they must evolve as we learn more about how cancers behave at the molecular level. A one-size-fits-all approach may no longer be sufficient. If national screening programs begin to incorporate molecular profiling, we could identify high-risk patients even when tumors are not yet visible. We could also reduce unnecessary biopsies and surgeries by distinguishing between aggressive and indolent tumors more accurately.
These improvements require not only scientific evidence but also policy changes. Governments must be willing to invest in new technologies, update clinical guidelines, and train healthcare workers to interpret more complex results. That means researchers like me must do a better job of communicating our findings in ways that policy makers can understand and apply.
Bridging the Gap Between Science and Systems
At China Medical University, we work closely with clinicians to explore how cancer biology research can inform healthcare decision-making. We share our findings with medical societies, and these conversations help ensure that scientific advances do not stay trapped in journals but make their way into hospitals and government offices.
I also encourage my students to think beyond the lab. I ask them to imagine how their experiments could influence treatment options, insurance coverage, or national prevention programs. When they see themselves not only as researchers but as contributors to public health, their work becomes more grounded and more impactful.
The Role of Translational Research in Public Policy
Translational research is about more than moving discoveries into drugs. It also means translating basic science into policy-relevant insights. For example, if we identify a subgroup of patients who benefit from a shorter course of therapy, that information should lead to updated treatment guidelines. If we discover a non-invasive biomarker that predicts tumor recurrence, health systems should consider incorporating it into follow-up care protocols.
This kind of translation does not happen automatically. It requires collaboration between research labs, hospitals, insurance providers, regulatory agencies, and ministries of health. It also requires researchers to think strategically about how their work can be measured, replicated, and scaled.
Moving Forward Together
As we learn more about how cancer behaves at the molecular level, we have a responsibility to make sure this knowledge shapes real-world care. In Taiwan, we have the infrastructure and talent to lead this kind of integration— we can not only treat disease more effectively but also build a smarter, more equitable system for everyone.