Media OutReach
AIA Unveils “On Your Side” Critical Illness Protection Series Featuring Multiple First-in-Market Coverages
Flexible and Precise Protection Solutions Supporting Customer Health Needs at Different Life Stages
- Introduces On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 / On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift # , designed for parents, expectant parents and individuals seeking extensive coverage.
- Launches Essence – On Your Side Insurance Plan, offering essential critical illness protection for budget-conscious customers.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 November 2025 – AIA Hong Kong & Macau announces the launch of its new “On Your Side” Critical Illness Protection Series products, offering customers flexible and caring health protection solutions tailored to the diverse needs across different life stages.
According to a survey conducted by AIA@, more than half of the parents and individuals planning to have children are concerned about their children developing childhood cancer. Additionally, more than 40% expressed worries about their children potentially suffering from conditions such as Down Syndrome, Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They said their greatest concern is that if their children were unfortunately diagnosed with these illnesses, the high medical and caregiving expenses would become a financial burden.
The On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 / On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift # (collectively referred as “On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 series”) covers 115 diseases including critical illnesses, early stage critical illnesses and severe child diseases and provides up to 10 additional claims in total for designated diseases1, with the maximum total benefit reaching up to 1,100% of the Initial Sum Assured2, helping customers face long-term health challenges with greater confidence. To better meet the protection needs of children, the First Gift # edition has been further enhanced with first-in-market* benefits, including Waiver of Premium for Down Syndrome^ and Cord Blood Stem Cell Transfusion Benefit^, offering families more extensive coverage. The series also introduces a first-in-market* Top-up Premium Payment Option11 and Top-up Premium Protector, allowing customers to choose a premium payment option according to their own financial situation at the time of application, thereby enhancing financial flexibility. To further support the insured during critical illness treatment, AIA extends a suite of value-added services to its critical illness insurance products for the first time, including Hong Kong insurance industry-first Care Concierge*3 and One-Stop Oncology Service4, offering multi-faceted health support to help customers navigate their treatment journey with peace of mind.
For budget-conscious customers seeking basic critical illness protection, AIA introduces the Essence – On Your Side Insurance Plan. This plan covers 58 critical illnesses and provides the Big 3 Critical Illness Shield Benefit14, which includes a one-time additional claim for cancer, heart attack or stroke. In addition, additional payment up to 40% of the Initial Sum Assured will be paid as the Prime Age Critical Illness Extra Coverage Booster15 when the Critical Illness Benefit or Big 3 Critical Illness Shield Benefit is paid during the Designated Period15, providing stronger support for the insured during their prime years.
Ms Alice Liang, Chief Proposition & Healthcare Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau, said, “Thanks to advancements in medical technology, critical illnesses are no longer necessarily terminal. However, as life expectancy increases, so does the time people may live with illness, and the likelihood of facing multiple critical illnesses over a lifetime. That’s why critical illness protection is no longer optional, but an essential safeguard that stands by customers and their families through prolonged health challenges. The need for sustained financial support has never been greater.
The newly launched flagship On Your Side Critical Illness Protection Series is thoughtfully designed to meet the diverse needs of different customer segments. The On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 series is tailored for those seeking extensive coverage, with the First Gift edition enhancing protection for severe childhood diseases. Through our promotional offer⁵, which includes ‘Personal Medical Case Management Services with Rehabilitation Management’, we help families connect with paediatric care professionals, with an aim to give families greater confidence and peace of mind when facing the unknown.
On the other hand, the Essence – On Your Side Insurance Plan offers essential critical illness protection, with additional coverage for the three major illnesses: cancer, heart attack, and stroke, is ideal for customers who are more budget-conscious and seek value for money.
For the first time, we are also extending value-added services to our critical illness products, delivering personalised medical support that accompanies customers through every step—from diagnosis and treatment to recovery—helping people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.”
The promotional offer5 providing complimentary Personal Medical Case Management Services with Rehabilitation Management is available to the eligible insured of On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift # for the first two policy years. These services are designed to help families receive prompt support from professional medical teams as needed, along with administrative assistance for access to paediatric services (including private services at the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital16).
AIA has always been committed to caring for children’s physical and mental well-being. Following previous initiatives such as hosting a carnival for patients and their families at the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital and making a donation to support the hospital’s activities, AIA is now further enhancing its health support for children in Hong Kong, demonstrating its long-term commitment to society.
Key Product Features and Value-added Services:
| On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 | On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift |
| Designed for customers seeking extensive critical illness protection |
Targeted at expectant mothers aged 18 to 45 and their newborns# |
|
|
| Essence – On Your Side Insurance Plan |
| Designed for budget-conscious customers seeking essential critical illness protection |
|
All information above is for reference only and does not constitute any offer and/or insurance product recommendation. The product information in this material does not contain the full terms of the policy, for the details of the product features, terms and conditions, exclusions and key product risks, please refer to the product brochure and policy contract of relevant products or visit the AIA Hong Kong’s website. In case you want to read policy contract sample before making an application, you can obtain a copy from AIA. Life insurance policies are long-term contracts of insurance. Should you surrender the policy early, you may receive an amount considerably less than the total amount of premiums paid. You may choose to purchase the above Plan(s) as a standalone plan without purchasing other type(s) of insurance products at the same time.
| * |
Regarding the first-in-market statement in:
Regarding the “Hong Kong insurance industry-first” statement in “Care Concierge”, as of 31 January 2024, compared against similar services offered by major Hong Kong insurance companies. |
| # |
“First Gift edition” refers to “On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift”. The proposed insured of the On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift policy must be an expectant mother who (i) must be aged 18 to 45 with gestation period of 22nd week or above at the time of application for the On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift policy and (ii) carries the fetus for herself and who will become the legal mother of the newborn child following his/her birth. Only 1 person can be the insured under the On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift policy at any given time. The expectant mother is required to apply for a separate On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift policy for each fetus if she is carrying twins. On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift is not applicable to an expectant mother who is carrying more than two fetuses at the same time. The issuance of the On Your Side Insurance Plan 2– First Gift policy is subject to AIA’s sole discretion and underwriting decision. |
| ^ |
Only applicable to On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift. |
| & |
The insured of the On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift policy must have been changed from the expectant mother to the newborn child before AIA will process any claims related to the newborn child under the policy. The policy owner shall notify AIA of the birth of the newborn child and provide a certified true copy of the newborn child’s birth certificate as soon as possible and by 14 days before the first policy anniversary, otherwise the policy will terminate on the first policy anniversary and the insured will lose the cover. |
| @ |
AIA conducted an online survey in August 2025 among 1,000 Hong Kong residents aged 18 to 65. |
| 1. |
Once the total advance payments paid under the policy reach 100% of the Initial Sum Assured, subject to the relevant waiting period, the 10X Multiple Critical Illness Benefit will pay up to 10 additional claims in total for cancer, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease / Irreversible organic degenerative brain disorders and Parkinson’s disease. The cover period of the 10X Multiple Critical Illness Benefit is up to age 85 of the insured. Each claim payment under the 10X Multiple Critical Illness Benefit is equivalent to 100% of the Initial Sum Assured. In order to be eligible for a claim payment under the 10X Multiple Critical Illness Benefit, (a) heart attack must be newly diagnosed and must relate to a separate cardiac incident, and (b) stroke must be newly diagnosed and must relate to a separate cerebrovascular accident or incident, producing new findings of new or increased neurological functional impairment.
Together with the claim under Critical Illness Benefit, the maximum number of claims under the policy for the following diseases cannot exceed the following limitations:
|
| 2. |
Total benefits payable per policy (under major illness benefit and 10X Multiple Critical Illness Benefit):
|
| 3. |
Care Concierge is an additional value-added service of On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 / On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift, which is not guaranteed and subject to the respective terms and conditions thereof, and does not form part of the contractual benefit of On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 / On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift. AIA reserves the right to amend, suspend or terminate Care Concierge or any part of the service thereunder (including the service providers, any details or terms and conditions relating thereto) at any time without any prior notice. The services under Care Concierge are provided in Chinese Mainland by the designated third-party service provider engaged by AIA and not applicable to Hong Kong and Macau region. Please note that the Pre-approval – Medical Expense & Cashless Service and the relevant administrative support under Care Concierge as set out in the leaflet of Care Concierge are not available to be used by the insured of On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 / On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift. For details and the terms and conditions thereof, please refer to the relevant service leaflet and AIA’s website: https://www.aia.com.hk/en/health-and-wellness/healthcare-services/care-concierge |
| 4. |
One-Stop Oncology Service is additional value-added service of On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 / On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift and Essence – On Your Side Insurance Plan , which is not guaranteed, and subject to its terms and conditions thereof, and does not form part of the contractual benefit of On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 / On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift, or Essence – On Your Side Insurance Plan. AIA reserves the right to amend, suspend or terminate One-Stop Oncology Service or
any part of the service thereunder (including the service providers, any details or terms and conditions relating thereto) at any time without any prior notice. One-Stop Oncology Service is provided in Hong Kong by the designated third party service provider engaged by AIA and not applicable to Macau region. The multi-disciplinary team of the medical specialists under One-Stop Oncology Service is designated by independent third party service provider and is subject to change from time to time without prior notice. Please note that the Pre-approval – Medical Expense & Cashless Service and the relevant administrative support under One-Stop Oncology Service as set out in the service leaflet of One-Stop Oncology Service are not available to be used by the insured of On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 / On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift, or Essence – On Your Side Insurance Plan. For details, please refer to the service leaflet and AIA’s website at https://www.aia.com.hk/en/health-and-wellness/healthcare-services/aia-carepass/one-stop-oncology-service |
| 5. |
The promotional offer of On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift (“Promotional Offer”) is available upon successful application of On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift within the promotional period from 23 September 2025 to 31 March 2026 and fulfilment of the relevant conditions, including a minimum initial sum assured of US$50,000 at policy issuance. The Promotional Offer is subject to its terms and conditions. For details and the terms and conditions thereof, please refer to the promotional leaflet: https://www.aia.com.hk/content/dam/hk-wise/pdf/campaign-and-events/en/oys2-promotion-leaflet-en.pdf
The Personal Medical Case Management Services with Rehabilitation Management (“PMCM Services”) under the Promotional Offer are available to the eligible insured of On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift for use within the first 2 policy years from the issue date of the eligible policy of On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift as shown on the policy information page of such policy. The PMCM Services are subject to the eligibility of the insured, including the evaluation of the insured’s medical conditions. The PMCM Services, including the administrative support in accessing to paediatric care of the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, are provided in Hong Kong by the designated independent third-party service provider engaged by AIA and are not applicable to Macau Region. Please note that the provision of any services by the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital is not part of the PMCM Services and is subject to the review and assessment of conditions of the insured by the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital. AIA shall not be responsible or liable for any medical service, product and solicitation effort provided by the designated independent third-party service provider or the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, which is not sold or marketed by AIA. The PMCM Services are subject to its availability and the relevant terms and conditions of (i) the Promotional Offer as set out in the leaflet of the Promotional Offer and the notification letter issued by AIA notifying the entitlement of the Promotional Offer (upon fulfilment of all the requirements of the Promotional Offer), and (ii) the PMCM Service as set out in the service leaflet and as imposed by the service provider of the PMCM Services. For details of the PMCM Services, please refer to the service leaflet and AIA’s website at https://www.aia.com.hk/en/health-and-wellness/healthcare-services/personal-medical-case-management-services/what-is-personal-medical-case-management), and contact the service provider. |
| 6. |
Subject to relevant conditions. For details, please refer to the relevant product brochure. |
| 7. |
If the insured child is diagnosed with Down Syndrome, and if the result of the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) conducted by the expectant mother during gestation for Down Syndrome was low risk or low probability, we will waive the balance of regular premiums payable under the On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift basic policy. |
| 8. |
additional 10% of Initial Sum Assured will be paid, subject to a maximum per life limit of US$35,000. This benefit can be paid once only under the policy. |
| 9. |
If the insured child is born on or after 37 weeks of gestation and suffers from severe jaundice, and if in-patient phototherapy for treatment of such severe jaundice is medically necessary for at least 5 consecutive days and within 30 days after birth, an additional 0.1% of Initial Sum Assured will be paid for each day of confinement, subject to a maximum limit of US$250 per day per life, up to a maximum of 7 days. This benefit can be paid once only under the policy. |
| 10. |
Under the coverage of Child Development Protector, the insured child will be covered until he / she reaches age 18. |
| 11. |
The Top-up Premium Payment Option can only be selected at policy application, and it is only available to policies with annual premium payment mode selected (the payment mode can be changed after the first policy anniversary). The amount of top-up premium for a policy is determined by AIA and cannot be adjusted on individual basis. Once top-up premium payment option is selected, it cannot be cancelled or changed. For the differences between these two premium payment options (including returns, benefits and premium amounts), please refer to the respective benefit illustrations. |
| 12. |
The Waiver of Premium on Death (Parents) is applicable to (i) On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 – First Gift policy and (ii) On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 policy with insured under the age of 18 at the time of policy application. The parent of the insured child must be aged 50 or below at the time of policy application. |
| 13. |
The Waiver of Premium on Death (Spouse) is applicable to On Your Side Insurance Plan 2 policy with insured aged 18 or above at the time of policy application. The insured’s spouse must be aged 50 or below at the time of policy application. |
| 14. |
After the total advance payments paid under the policy has reached 100% of the Initial Sum Assured, subject to the relevant waiting period, the Big 3 Critical Illness Shield Benefit will pay 1 additional claim for cancer, heart attack or stroke. The claim payment under the Big 3 Critical Illness Shield Benefit is equivalent to 100% of the Initial Sum Assured. The cover period of the Big 3 Critical Illness Shield Benefit is up to age 85 of the insured. In order to be eligible for a claim payment under the Big 3 Critical Illness Shield Benefit, (a) heart attack must be newly diagnosed and must relate to a separate cardiac incident, and (b) stroke must be newly diagnosed and must relate to a separate cerebrovascular accident or incident, producing new findings of new or increased neurological functional impairment. In case the insured reaches the age of 70 or above and makes any subsequent claim for prostate cancer resulting from the continuation of a previous prostate cancer for which a previous claim was made under the policy, the Big 3 Critical Illness Shield Benefit will only be payable for the subsequent claim for prostate cancer if the insured has received or is in the process of receiving the full course of cancer-directed surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy or a combination of these treatments (excluding hormonal therapy) which is medically necessary as recommended by a registered medical practitioner during the intervening period between the diagnosis of the previous and subsequent prostate cancer. |
| 15. |
Designated Period refers to the period starting from the policy effective date until the later of (i) the day before the policy anniversary on or immediately following the insured’s 70th birthday; and (ii) the end of the 10th policy year.
The amount of Prime Age Critical Illness Extra Coverage Booster payable is subject to the following:
|
| 16. |
According to information from the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital specialises in complex, serious and uncommon paediatric cases requiring multidisciplinary management. It provides diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for patients with relevant clinical needs from birth to 18 years of age. Apart from public services, the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital also provides limited private services. All patients have to be referred by registered doctors in public hospitals or the private sector. (Source: https://www31.ha.org.hk/hkch/Patients/PrivateService) |
| 17. |
The amount of Whole Life Extra Coverage Booster for Death will be reduced to 50% of the Extra Coverage Booster Amount (i.e. 20% of the Initial Sum Assured) if Prime Age Critical Illness Extra Coverage Booster has been paid for minor illness. The Whole Life Extra Coverage Booster for Death will be terminated upon the earlier of (a) payment(s) paid under the Prime Age Critical Illness Extra Coverage Booster reach 100% of the Extra Coverage Booster Amount (i.e. 40% of the Initial Sum Assured) and (b) the Big 3 Critical Illness Shield Benefit is payable under the basic policy. |
| 18. |
Regarding the rare-in-market statement for Extension of Grace Period Benefit: As of 13 August 2025, compared with critical illness insurance products provided by Hong Kong major insurance companies.
Application for the Extension of Grace Period Benefit is subject to submission of required documentary proof, AIA’s approval and its prevailing rules and conditions. |
| 19. |
AIA Vitality is not an insurance product, and an annual membership fee is required for joining. |
Hashtag: #AIAHongKong
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About AIA Hong Kong & Macau
AIA Group Limited established its operations in Hong Kong in 1931. To date, AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau have about 18,000 financial planners1, as well as an extensive network of independent financial advisors, brokerage and bancassurance partners. We serve over 3.6 million customers2, offering them a wide selection of professional services and products ranging from individual life, group life, accident, medical and health, pension, personal lines insurance to investment-linked assurance schemes with numerous investment options. We are also dedicated to providing superb product solutions to meet the financial needs of high-net-worth customers.
1 As at 30 June 2025
2 Including AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau’s individual life, group insurance and pension customers (as at 30 June 2025)
Media OutReach
St. George’s University Prepares Future South Korean Physicians for the Growing Global Cancer Care Challenge
Recognizing the importance of addressing workforce shortage in South Korea, St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, highlights how its medical education approach supports the development of clinical competencies relevant to cancer care across healthcare settings.
These challenges reflect broader global trends, where cancer care increasingly depends on multidisciplinary teams rather than specialty expansion alone. SGU’s curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation in clinical diagnosis, patient communication and multidisciplinary care, which are essential skills for effective oncology and cancer-related care. Through anatomy labs, simulation-based learning, and integrated digital tools, students develop foundational clinical skills in structured, supervised environments designed to reflect real-world medical practice.
The curriculum also integrates traditional cadaveric dissection with modern 3D anatomical modeling. This blend helps students visualize the human body in a holistic way while reinforcing knowledge through their hands-on interaction. SGU’s simulation lab also enables medical students to have their first direct interaction with ill patients in a safe, simulated learning environment.
On top of core medical training, SGU offers early exposure to prevention, diagnosis and patient-centered care to prepare graduates to tackle complex health issues. SGU has developed long-standing relationships with more than 75 established hospitals and clinical centers in the US and UK. These clinical placements provide exposure to diverse patient populations and care environments, including settings where cancer diagnosis and management are part of routine clinical practice.
South Korean SGU alumni are contributing to healthcare systems through roles that intersect with cancer diagnosis, treatment coordination, and long-term patient care. For example, Dr. Julia Hweyryoung Cho, MD 2022 is practicing internal medicine, which plays a crucial role in cancer care. Internal medicine physicians are often involved in the initial diagnosis of cancer, managing complex medical conditions that may arise during treatment and providing long-term comprehensive care and survivorship planning for patients with a history of cancer.
In observance of World Cancer Day 2026, SGU encourages all medical professionals and organizations to collaboratively address global cancer care challenges. This includes recognizing and meeting the cancer healthcare needs of individuals and communities in South Korea.
For more information on the programs and tracks available through SGU School of Medicine, visit SGU’s website.Hashtag: #St.George’sUniversity
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
Finalists and Semifinalists for $1 Million Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge Announced
Created and funded by Seeding The Future Foundation and, for the first time, hosted by Welthungerhilfe (WHH), the Challenge attracted a record 1,600+ applications from innovator teams in 112 countries, underscoring growing global momentum for food systems transformation.
Following a multi-stage, rigorous international review process, 36 teams have advanced across three award levels. These include 16 Seed Grant Finalists (competing for 8 awards of USD 25,000), 12 Growth Grant Semifinalists (competing for 3 awards of USD 100,000), and 8 Seeding The Future Grand Prize Semifinalists (competing for 2 awards of USD 250,000).
“Hosting the GFSC reflects Welthungerhilfe’s commitment to accelerating bold, scalable innovations where they are needed most. This year’s diversity of solutions underscores the complexity of food system challenges and the creativity of innovators worldwide.” said Jan Kever, Head of Innovation at Welthungerhilfe
The submitted innovations span diverse themes and approaches, including climate-smart production, nutrient-dense foods, food loss reduction, and inclusive market models, reflecting the complexity and interconnected nature of today’s food systems challenges.
“The Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge exists to catalyze impactful, bold, and scalable innovations that advance food systems transformation. We are excited to work alongside Welthungerhilfe as a trusted partner and host of the Challenge and are encouraged by the quality and diversity of innovations emerging from this first year of collaboration.” said Bernhard van Lengerich, Founder and CEO of Seeding The Future Foundation
While the number of awards is limited, all semifinalists and finalist applicants plus all applicants with any prior recognition of other innovation competitions can join the STF Global Food System Innovation Database and Network—currently in beta testing with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations—vastly expanding their visibility and reach across a global audience.
List of 2025 GFSC Seed Grant Finalists, Growth Grant and Seeding The Future Grand Prize Semifinalists
Find details here: welthungerhilfe.org/gfsc-finalists
Seeding The Future Grand Prize Semi-Finalists
- CNF Global, Kenya
- ZTN Technology PLC, Ethiopia
- One Acre Fund, Rwanda
- Sanku, Tanzania
- Nabahya Food Institute (NFI), Democratic Republic of the Congo
- ABALOBI, South Africa
- metaBIX Biotech, Uruguay
- Nurture Posterity International, Uganda
Growth Grant Semi-Finalists
- Baobaby, Togo
- Safi International Technologies Inc., Canada
- Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo (CIMMYT), Mexico
- Farmlab Yeranda Agrisolution Producer Company Limited, India
- Banco de Alimentos Santa Fe (BASFE), Argentina
- Chartered Consilorum (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
- American University of Beirut, Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU at AUB), Lebanon
- The Source Plus, Kenya
- Iviani Farm Limited, Kenya
- Rwandese Endogenous Development Association, Rwanda
- NatureLEAD, Madagascar
- Ndaloh Heritage Organisation, Kenya
Seed Grant Finalists
- Inua Damsite CBO, Kenya
- World Neighbors, United States
- Keloks Technologies Ltd, Nigeria
- REBUS Albania, Albania
- Tanzania Conservation and Community Empowerment Initiative (TACCEI), Tanzania
- Intrasect, Switzerland
- VKS AGRITECH, India
- Murmushi People’s Development Foundation, Nigeria
- Levo International, Inc., United States
- Effective Altruism Research Services Ltd, Uganda
- Taita Taveta University, Kenya
- CultivaHub, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Resource Hub for Development (RHD), Kenya
- FUTURALGA S.COOP.AND, Spain
- West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement, University of Ghana, Ghana
- Sustainable Solutions Kenya, Kenya
Hashtag: #TheFutureGlobalFoodSystemChallenge
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Seeding The Future Foundation
STF is a private nonprofit dedicated to ensuring equitable access to safe, nutritious, affordable, and trusted food. It supports innovations that transform food systems and benefit both people and planet. More at Seeding the future.
About Welthungerhilfe
WHH is one of Germany’s largest private aid organizations, striving for a world without hunger since 1962. More at: Welthungerhilfe (WHH)
Media OutReach
PolyU develops novel antibody targeting fat cell protein, offering new approach to treating metabolism-related liver cancer
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), commonly known as fatty liver disease, currently affects around a quarter of the global population and is an important risk factor for liver cancer. In affected individuals, fat cells induce insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, leading to excessive fat accumulation in the liver. This ultimately impairs liver function and may progress to liver cancer. Treatment options for MASLD-induced liver cancer remain limited and the effectiveness of current immunotherapies is suboptimal.
A breakthrough study led by Prof. Terence LEE, Associate Head and Professor of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, and his research team has revealed that an adipocyte-derived protein, known as fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) is a key driver that accelerates tumour growth. Through mass spectrometry, the team confirmed that patients with MASLD-induced liver cancer had markedly elevated FABP4 levels in their serum. Further investigations showed that FABP4 activates a series of pro-proliferative signalling pathways within cells, causing cancer cells to multiply and grow more rapidly.
Prof. Lee’s team has successfully developed a monoclonal antibody that neutralises FABP4. This antibody not only inhibits the growth and proliferation of FABP4-driven cancer stem cells, but also enhances the ability of immune cells to combat cancer.
Prof. Lee said, “This neutralising antibody against FABP4 demonstrates significant potential in inhibiting tumour growth and activating immune cells, providing a complementary approach to current immunotherapy strategies. Our findings highlight that targeting adipocyte-derived FABP4 holds promise for treating MASLD-induced liver cancer.”
Prof. Lee added that gaining deeper insights into how adipocyte-derived FABP4 affects liver cancer cells helps to explicate the disease mechanisms of liver cancer, particularly in obese individuals. Intervening in the relevant signalling pathways could provide effective methods to combat this aggressive malignancy.
Prof. Lee believes that, as this adipocyte-targeted immunotherapy continues to mature, it will bring more treatment options to MASLD patients. He remarked, “If its efficacy can be proven in clinical trials, it could offer new hope to many affected individuals.”
The research is supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund of the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. PolyU has filed a non-provisional patent for the developed antibody and is continuing to optimise its binding affinity to facilitate future clinical applications.
Hashtag: #PolyU #FattyLiver #Cancer #LiverCancer #理大 #香港理工大学 #肝癌 #癌症 #脂肪肝
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn