PENANG, 15 May 2025 – A researcher from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has earned international recognition at the prestigious European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) 2025 meeting held recently in Vienna.

Associate Professor Dr. Gokula Kumar Appalanaido and his research team were honoured with the Top-Scoring Abstract Certificate, placing them among the top 5% of scientific abstracts submitted globally.

This prestigious achievement was based on their groundbreaking study titled:
“Hybrid HDRIBT followed by IMRT (HyBIRT) technique for the definitive treatment of oral tongue SCC (OTSCC) – first in human prospective study.”

The recognition highlights USM’s leadership in advanced cancer research and treatment, particularly in the field of brachytherapy.

USM is one of a select few institutions worldwide recognised as a Centre of Excellence in head and neck cancer brachytherapy by BrachyAcademy, a scientific organisation based in the Netherlands.

The HyBIRT technique, developed at USM Bertam Medical Centre (PPUSMB), represents a significant clinical advancement in organ-preserving treatment for tongue cancer.

It combines High-Dose-Rate Interstitial Brachytherapy (HDRIBT) with Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) to offer a novel and effective therapeutic approach that preserves organ function while improving treatment precision.

This important milestone was made possible through the collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team.

Alongside principal researcher Dr. Gokula Kumar, the team includes Associate Professor Dr. Yusri Musa, an ENT surgeon; Dr. Ahmad Fakrurrozi Mohamad, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon; Dr. Jasmin Jalil, a clinical oncologist; and Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Zahri Abdul Aziz, a medical physicist; all of whom played critical roles in the development and clinical application of the HyBIRT technique.

The recognition at ESTRO 2025 stands as a testament to the capabilities and global relevance of Malaysian researchers.

It also reflects USM’s continued commitment to advancing cancer treatment through impactful, innovative, and patient-centred medical research contributing meaningfully to the global healthcare landscape.

The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed when met stated that this achievement reflects USM’s excellence in research and innovation, further reinforcing the university’s position as a leader in medical science and technology.

“This success is the result of strong commitment, outstanding dedication, and exceptional teamwork among USM researchers, who have successfully developed a new and innovative approach to treating tongue cancer.

“USM will continue to support high-impact initiatives such as this to strengthen the national healthcare system and to enhance Malaysia’s contribution to the advancement of global medical science,” he added.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin