Alongside the major 21st century trend in medicine of trying to conquer breast cancer and cancer in general, Japan"s mission is to contribute to the development of breast cancer care. We are expected to produce results that will make us a global opinion leader. It is therefore essential that Japan-based clinical research groups fully utilize their respective strengths, gather their wisdom and efforts, and act as a united Japan team. This year sees the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Japan Breast Cancer Research Group (JBCRG), and during this time, many reports on clinical trials and research outcomes have been presented at academic society conferences and published in academic journals. The target for the coming decade is to further strengthen partnerships with clinical research groups, not only inside Japan but also overseas, to perform internationally recognized quality clinical trials and mainly translational clinical research. We also wish to nurture young physicians and health professionals, promote standardized therapies, and disseminate information. To this end, your support and cooperation are greatly appreciated.

Dr. Shinji Ohno
Representative Director
Cancer Institute Hospital, Breast Oncology Center
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JBCRG was founded to activate the breast cancer clinical trials and to provide the information from Japan to the world, therefore improving the treatment outcomes and patients' quality of life.

Our research projects are developing thanks to the participation of many patients along with the generous support from corporations and organizations.
Results of research are gradually documented and evaluated in academic journals, conferences and patient groups. The number of medical institutions participating in JBCRG studies is increasing nation-wide, making larger clinical trials possible, and we are planning and conducting many collaborative studies in the field of biomarkers. We also conduct interdisciplinary studies, implement clinical trials with a view to investigator-driven registration trials, and have become more active in clinical trials in collaboration with overseas groups.

Believing that the development of better breast cancer treatment will be advanced by promoting investigator-driven clinical trials, developing new biomarkers and medical algorithms, improving many treatment methods and optimizing sequential treatments by multiple regimens, JBCRG hopes to play an innovative role in developing the next generation of breast cancer treatment.

At the same time, we are seeking to minimize the toxicity associated with treatment, develop more efficient methods of diagnosis and treatment, and establish a treatment system which pays much attention to quality of life. These are large areas of medical research which still face many challenges, but there are areas in which significant progress is expected by gathering different people of varying expertise and introducing new technology, techniques and concepts. I think that a breakthrough medical paradigm will be produced in the near future.

The members of JBCRG contribute to the further development of breast cancer treatment in the hope of overcoming breast cancer, and give our heartfelt thanks for your advice, support and cooperation.

Dr. Masakazu Toi
Senior Director, Founder of JBCRG
Professor, Department of Surgery, Breast Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto University
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