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On Tuesday, 20 January B.E. 2569 (2026) at 12:34 hrs., Professor Dr. Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana, graciously proceeded to the Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine Building, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Lak Si District, Bangkok, to deliver a special lecture entitled “The Development of Cancer (Oncogenesis)”.
The lecture was graciously bestowed upon faculty members, academics, and third-year medical students of the Doctor of Medicine Programme (New Curriculum B.E. 2563), Cohort 4, Semester 2 of Academic Year 2025, Faculty of Medicine, Srisavangavadhana, totaling 52 students.
On this occasion, the Royal Lecture was attended by Professor Emeritus Dr. Ratjata Ratjatanavin, M.D. Acting Deputy Secretary-General of the Chulabhorn Royal Academy; Dr. Thakur Phanit, Acting Deputy Secretary-General; Professor Dr. Yuwares Sittichanbuncha, M.D. Acting Deputy Secretary-General; Associate Professor Dr. Teerapat Ungtrakul, Acting Dean , Princess Srisavangavadhana Falculty of Medicine; together with members of the executive management of the Chulabhorn Royal Academy, who were present to respectfully receive Her Royal Highness.
The topic “The Development of Cancer” constitutes essential foundational knowledge, as cancer is currently the leading cause of death in Thailand and its incidence continues to rise. Liver cancer and cholangiocarcinoma are among the most prevalent cancers in the country, with some of the highest incidence and mortality rates worldwide, along with lung cancer. The causes of cancer are not limited to genetic factors alone, but also include environmental and lifestyle risks, exposure to carcinogenic chemicals, oncogenic viruses, and radiation.
At present, extensive research is being conducted in the field of medical sciences to develop effective methods for diagnosis and treatment aimed at reducing cancer-related mortality. Consequently, medical students must acquire strong foundational knowledge across multiple disciplines, including biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, and pharmacology, which are essential for understanding carcinogenesis from its earliest stages through to the development of targeted therapies.
In the lecture, Her Royal Highness addressed the processes and stages of carcinogenesis and the biology of cancer cells, emphasizing the complexity of these mechanisms. Illustrative examples included chemical carcinogenesis, particularly the initiation stage, which can be classified into two mechanisms:
1. direct DNA damage or alteration leading to mutations and eventual malignant transformation, such as exposure to aflatoxins found in fungi contaminating grains, and nitrosamines present in certain foods and beverages; and
2. indirect mechanisms that affect gene expression regulatory systems without directly damaging DNA, ultimately resulting in cancerous transformation.
Subsequent stages include promotion, characterized by increased cellular proliferation, and progression, during which cancer cells spread. Key biological characteristics of cancer cells include uncontrolled division and alterations in protein expression. In early stages, cancer cells remain localized at the site of abnormality and, if detected promptly, may be effectively treated or eradicated. Throughout the lecture, biological examples were provided to enhance comprehension and facilitate learning among the medical students.
The Faculty of Medicine, Srisavangavadhana, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, is the 23rd medical school in Thailand and has been accredited in accordance with international standards of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) by the Institute for the Accreditation of Medical Education and the Medical Council of Thailand. The Faculty offers modern curricula at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, with the aim of producing medical graduates and healthcare professionals who are leaders in health services, equipped with strong research capabilities and innovation development skills, to contribute sustainably to national development and the advancement of Thai society.
