A major step in advancing cancer care has been introduced in the Philippines as St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) partners with Germany-based International Centers for Precision Oncology (ICPO) Foundation to launch a global pilot program on theranostics. The initiative positions the country within an international push for more advanced, targeted approaches to cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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A Shift Toward Precision Cancer Care
In its statement, SLMC emphasized how theranostics, which integrates diagnostic imaging with targeted therapy, is expected to play a key role in reshaping modern cancer care. The approach is seen as part of a broader movement toward more precise and individualized treatment strategies.
Dr. Anthony Perez, St. Luke’s-Global City SVP and medical director, described how the method combines visualization of disease with targeted intervention.
“Theranostics exemplifies the promise of personalized medicine by integrating molecular imaging with targeted therapy. It allows us not only to see disease with remarkable clarity but also to deliver treatment with precision and purpose,” said Dr. Anthony Perez, St. Luke’s-Global City SVP and medical director.
SLMC also highlighted its distinction as the first and only ICPO Clinical Theranostics Center of Excellence in the Philippines, a recognition granted on May 15, 2025. This milestone reinforces its role in introducing precision oncology to the local healthcare system.
Toward More Personalized and Accessible Treatment
During its “Theranostics Day: Awareness and Exchange about New Precision Cancer Care” event, SLMC discussed how this approach moves away from the traditional “one-size-fits-all” model of treatment. Instead, it promotes care strategies designed around individual patient conditions and needs.
“It is a true precision medicine approach where treatment is tailored specifically to the patient,” said Dr. Eduardo Erasto Ongkeko, head of the St. Luke’s-Global City Department of Nuclear Medicine and Theranostics.
Meanwhile, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno stressed the importance of ensuring that such advancements remain accessible, particularly in terms of affordability and fairness in healthcare delivery.
“What is most important to me regarding this event is the equality in terms of access to affordable health care,” said Diokno.
The introduction of theranostics in the Philippines signals a step toward more advanced and personalized cancer care, with potential benefits for Filipino patients through improved treatment precision and better health outcomes, while also strengthening the country’s position in global medical innovation.
