“Thailand Against Cancer as One”

Professor Dr. HRH Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana Presides over the 2025 Princess Chulabhorn Award Ceremony and Opens the 3rd Princess Chulabhorn Award Academic Conference on “Thailand Against Cancer as One”
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BANGKOK, 9 July 2026 – Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana graciously traveled to preside over the 2025 Princess Chulabhorn Award Ceremony at the Asawin Grand Convention Hotel, Laksi District, Bangkok. Upon her royal arrival, Her Royal Highness was received by Professor Emeritus Rajata Rajatanavin, M.D., Chairman of the Princess Chulabhorn Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage and Acting Deputy Secretary-General of the Chulabhorn Royal Academy; Associate Professor Dr.Tassana Boontong, Secretary-General of the Princess Chulabhorn Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage and Acting Dean of the Princess Agrarajakumari  Faculty of Nursing; Professor Yuwares Sittichanbuncha, M.D., Acting Deputy Secretary-General of the Chulabhorn Royal Academy and Acting Dean of Faculty of Health Science Technology, Chulabhorn Royal Academy; and Professor Sarikapan Wilailak, M.D., Chairperson of the Nomination and Screening Committee of the Princess Chulabhorn Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage.

On this occasion, Her Royal Highness granted an audience to the Secretary-General of the Princess Chulabhorn Award Foundation to present the event program. Following this, the Chairman of the Foundation delivered a citation praising the laureates and humbly introduced the recipients of the 2025 Princess Chulabhorn Award: Professor Chen Zhu, M.D., and Professor Zhao Wei Li, representing Professor Wang Zhen-Yi, M.D., both of whom advanced to receive the prestigious award.

Subsequently, Her Royal Highness delivered an opening address for the 3rd Princess Chulabhorn Award Academic Conference on “Thailand Against Cancer as One” and attended a special keynote lecture by Professor Chen Zhu, M.D., titled “Treatment of acute Promyelocytic leukemia with all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide as an effective approach of cancer differentiation therapy.”

For the 3^rd Princess Chulabhorn Award for the year 2025, the award is jointly presented to two distinguished recipients who have made monumental contributions and revolutionized the global landscape of cancer treatment:  Professor Wang Zhen-Yi, M.D. Honorary Director of the School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Professor Chen Zhu, M.D. Former Director of the Shanghai Institute of Hematology and President of the Red Cross Society of China. The work of both professors represents one of the most significant breakthroughs in medical history. Together, they discovered and developed a pioneering treatment for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL), which was historically considered one of the most lethal forms of leukemia. Patients diagnosed with APL frequently suffered swift fatalities due to severe hemorrhage, resulting in a survival rate of only 30% to 40%. However, both professors completely revolutionized cancer therapy by introducing a dual-targeted approach using All-trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) combined with Arsenic Trioxide (ATO). This discovery shifted the therapeutic paradigm away from conventional chemotherapy, which relies on direct cytotoxicity and causes severe side effects, to an approach that "teaches or induces highly malignant mutated cancer cells to differentiate and transform back into normal, non-toxic cells."

This therapy became the world's first chemotherapy-free regimen capable of curing advanced, metastatic cancer with minimal side effects. As a result, APL patients today experience a survival and cure rate as high as 90% to 95%. This breakthrough has transformed one of the most fatal diseases into the most curable form of leukemia, serving as a foundational blueprint for modern "Precision Medicine" and "Targeted Therapy."

The most admirable aspect of their achievement, which truly aligns with Her Royal Highness's royal determination, is their "spirit of self-sacrifice." Neither professor filed for patents or copyrights for this monumental discovery. This selfless act has enabled pharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide to produce ATRA and Arsenic Trioxide at affordable prices, making the life-saving treatment widely accessible to patients globally. The outstanding merits and dedication of Professor Wang Zhen-Yi and Professor Chen Zhu clearly affirm their exceptional worthiness for this prestigious royal award. The two laureates have not only utilized "Science for Humanity" to conquer a deadly disease but have also remained steadfastly committed to the public good, ensuring that humanity can access this cure with true equality.

The "Princess Chulabhorn Award" is an international award established to pay tribute to and commemorate the global prestige of Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana on the auspicious occasion of her 65th birthday on July 4, 2022. It stands as a symbol of deep gratitude for her benevolence toward the Thai people, particularly her support for research and development in cancer prevention, control, and treatment. The Princess Chulabhorn Award recognizes and honors individuals or groups with exceptional excellence whose research, discoveries, or clinical treatments have yielded significant benefits and made monumental contributions to humanity on an international scale. The Foundation selects and announces one recipient annually, who receives a trophy and a monetary prize of USD 50,000, with the prestigious royal award presentation ceremony scheduled in July of each year.

Furthermore, to carry forward the royal determination to disseminate and promote cancer knowledge for the ultimate benefit of humanity, Chulabhorn Royal Academy and the Princess Chulabhorn Award Foundation have scheduled the 3^rd Princess Chulabhorn Award Academic Conference under the theme THAILAND AGAINST CANCER AS ONE: “Genomic Medicine.” The conference will continue on Friday, July 10, 2026, to support and drive key national policies regarding cancer prevention, control, and treatment toward sustainable advancement in Thailand. The event will convene national experts to share insights, exploring genomic medicine technologies, cutting-edge research, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) poised to reshape the future of cancer patient care.