Let's update on the latest advances in the field of immunology - allergies. Many advanced therapies are introduced for the first time in Vietnam, including CAR-T cell therapy, opening up new hope for patients.
Many advanced therapies appear in Vietnam for the first time
On March 27-28, 2026, the annual scientific conference of Vinmec - VinUni Institute of Immunology with the theme "Progress in the era of precision immunity: From research to clinical practice" took place at VinUni University (Vinhomes Ocean Park, Gia Lam, Hanoi).
The conference gathered many prestigious names in the field of immunology - allergies such as Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh - Director of Vinmec Institute for Immunology Research, VinUni; Director of Vinmec Times City Center for Allergy - Clinical Immunology; Prof. Dr. Timothy John Craig - Director of the Center for Genetic Edema (ACARE), Hershey Medical Center (USA); Prof. Dr. Sheryl van Nunen - Professor at the University of Sydney, Macquarie University (Australia), and many other prestigious experts and scientists.
Speaking at the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh said that in the context of increasing immuno-allergic diseases and complex developments, medicine is entering the era of "exact immunity". The personalization of treatment based on the biological characteristics of each patient has become an inevitable trend.
Speakers attending the event updated a series of advanced therapies in the world, many of which were introduced for the first time in Vietnam.
Prof. Dr. Michelle Hermiston (University of California, San Francisco - UCSF) shared the latest results on CAR-T cell therapy research in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. This therapy takes the patient's own immune cells, reprogrammes them in the laboratory and then returns them to the body to remove the disease-causing cells from the root. Initial research shows that this method can help "restart" the entire immune system, helping some severe lupus patients reduce symptoms, even without needing to continue taking medication.
Currently, the study is being implemented in 6 countries. In Vietnam, Vinmec is the first and only Vietnamese unit to participate in this study.
In addition, biological therapies in the treatment of severe asthma are also a topic of much interest. MSc.BS Nguyen Quynh Anh - Department of General Internal Medicine, Vinmec Times City Hospital - has a report on the Mechanism and selection of biological drugs in the treatment of severe asthma. According to doctors, asthma is still a major medical burden, especially for patients who do not respond well to conventional treatment. In fact, the application of biological drugs at Vinmec Times Ciy shows that drugs help control the disease more effectively, reduce the frequency of acute asthma attacks and significantly improve the quality of life for patients.
In the field of allergies, Prof. Dr. Timothy John Craig has updated the latest guidelines on urticaria treatment. According to Prof. Craig, the emergence of remibrutinib - a new generation therapy - is bringing hope to patients who are difficult to treat. The drug directly affects the related immune tracts, helping to control symptoms more effectively, opening up new treatment options for patients with chronic urticaria.
Position of a reputable biomedical research center in the region
Another content attracting attention is the report on biological treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus patients by Dr. Chu Chi Hieu - Head of Allergy Department, Center for Allergy - Clinical Immunology, Bach Mai Hospital. According to the report, early use of immune-modulating therapies can help better control systemic lupus erythematosus. Combining biological drugs with standard protocols has been proven to reduce the risk of organ damage compared to just using standard treatment.
At the conference, Prof. Dr. Sheryl van Nunen updated information about Alpha-Gal syndrome (AGS) - a special form of allergies caused by tick bites, which is becoming a global health issue of concern. Through this, doctors can better identify and at the same time develop effective diagnostic and management strategies for this relatively new disease.
Assoc. Prof. Dinh said that the annual scientific conference of Vinmec - VinUni Institute for Immunology Research is not only a forum to update knowledge, but also a bridge to promote research cooperation between domestic and foreign organizations. Through this, the event opens up opportunities for the development and application of advanced treatment therapies in Vietnam, especially in the context of increasing immuno-allergic diseases.
The presence of world-leading experts along with the latest medical updates has contributed to affirming the position of Vinmec - VinUni Immunology Research Institute as a reputable biomedical research center in the region. At the same time, this is also an important step in the process of international integration of Vietnamese medicine, helping domestic doctors quickly access the latest advances, thereby bringing practical benefits to patients.
