Cancer research is a rapid evolving field. Year on year, after new discoveries and insights on cancer biology, new drugs and technologies emerge. Harnessing this knowledge to improve the prevention, early detection and cure of cancer is an implementation challenge which requires regional and international collaboration between scientists and clinicians, academia and industries.

While the exciting advancement of targeted therapies as well as those that seek to mobilise the immune system to fight the disease have significantly changed the outcomes of cancer, there is rising concern about the cost in achieving such gains. The ability to plan a patient’s treatment for his maximum benefit and a better understanding of the processes in early cancer development that will improve early detection to potentially eradicate cancers, are two important areas of development. In this regard, the themes chosen in this joint symposium reflect our collective strength and interest. Successful collaboration will certainly benefit patients.