Editor's Note: The "2024 Cross-Strait Breast Cancer Forum," held alongside the 2024 Academic Annual Meeting of the Breast Disease Branch of the Fujian Medical Association, the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Oncology Physicians Branch of the Fujian Medical Doctor Association, and the Fujian Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment Workshop, took place from December 13 to 15, 2024, in Fuzhou. The forum brought together renowned experts to discuss the latest advancements in breast cancer and oncology. Oncology Frontier interviewed the forum chair, Dr. Jian Liu from Fujian Cancer Hospital, who shared insights into the event's agenda and its key highlights.

1. Oncology Frontier: The field of breast cancer has seen remarkable research progress this year, and the Cross-Strait Breast Cancer Forum’s agenda reflects this. As the forum chair, could you share the considerations behind the agenda planning and highlight some of the key features?

Dr. Jian Liu: The “Healthy China 2030” blueprint explicitly aims to increase the overall five-year cancer survival rate by 15% by 2030. Additionally, the “Opinions on Implementing the Healthy China Initiative” emphasizes transitioning the healthcare model from disease-centered to health-centered, striving to prevent illness and improve overall health outcomes.

In this context, the 2024 Cross-Strait Breast Cancer Forum, alongside the Fujian Medical Association’s Breast Disease Branch Annual Meeting, was launched to actively support these national goals and accelerate the implementation of the “Healthy China 2030” vision. This forum serves as a premier platform for academic exchange and technical collaboration between experts across the Taiwan Strait, showcasing the latest research and sharing cutting-edge clinical experiences to promote high-quality development in cancer prevention and treatment.

Since its inception in 2013 as an essential part of the Cross-Strait Forum, the Breast Cancer Forum has consistently advanced academic exchanges. Held annually in both in-person and virtual formats, it gathers top academicians, renowned experts, scholars, and young talents to explore breakthroughs in basic and clinical research while discussing pressing international and domestic topics.

The 2024 forum features a carefully curated agenda, including sessions such as the Academician Master Forum and dedicated tracks for triple-negative breast cancer, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, HER2-positive breast cancer, and ADCs (antibody-drug conjugates). It also includes discussions on early- and late-stage breast cancer treatment, the latest advancements in safety management for adverse reactions, as well as practical topics like quality management in oncology care and academic writing skills.

The forum provides a comprehensive perspective, covering the entire spectrum from clinical applications to foundational research and from treatment to management. I am confident this event will not only enhance the knowledge and skills of participating experts, scholars, and young medical professionals in breast cancer treatment and management but also raise their professional standards.

We hope this gathering will elevate breast cancer prevention and treatment efforts in Fujian Province and beyond. Furthermore, the in-depth exchange and collaboration facilitated by this forum will strengthen cross-Strait partnerships, fostering significant contributions to the field of breast cancer prevention and care.

2. Oncology Frontier: The ADC (antibody-drug conjugate) session is a major highlight of this year’s forum. Based on the latest clinical research and authoritative guidelines, could you elaborate on the emergence of ADC drugs and their impact on clinical practice for patients with advanced breast cancer?

Dr. Jian Liu: The emergence of next-generation ADC drugs has profoundly transformed the prognosis for patients with advanced breast cancer, ushering in a new era of ADC-based breast cancer therapies. Notable examples, such as T-DXd and SG, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy. Additionally, several new ADC drugs are expected to enter the Chinese market, contributing to this evolving landscape.

Clinical data consistently indicate that ADC drugs deliver outstanding outcomes, whether for HER2-positive patients, HER2-low expressers, or those with triple-negative breast cancer.

Equally significant is the positive impact of including some ADC therapies in the national medical insurance system. This policy change will substantially reduce the financial burden on patients, enabling broader access to effective treatments even in primary healthcare settings. As ADC drugs become more widely available, more patients with advanced breast cancer will benefit, experiencing not only prolonged survival but also significantly improved quality of life.

Looking ahead, we firmly believe that the continued development of ADC drugs, coupled with enhanced insurance coverage and expanding clinical applications, will further improve the survival outlook for patients with advanced breast cancer. Achieving the goal of a 15% increase in the five-year cancer survival rate by 2030 is no longer a distant aspiration; it is within reach and may even be realized ahead of schedule, bringing a brighter future to breast cancer patients.

Oncology Frontier: With the continuous emergence of new drugs and research findings, effectively disseminating these advancements to primary care practitioners has become a critical task. Could you share how we can enhance the promotion of guideline tours, advanced training programs, and related activities to ensure that cutting-edge knowledge reaches grassroots levels and ultimately benefits more breast cancer patients?

Dr. Jian Liu: According to the latest annual report on breast cancer quality control released by the National Cancer Center, significant disparities exist in the five-year survival rates of breast cancer patients across provincial, municipal, and county-level hospitals. These differences can primarily be attributed to gaps in personnel, technology, and drug accessibility.

To bridge these gaps, we leverage platforms such as the Cross-Strait Breast Cancer Forum, the Breast Disease Branch of the Fujian Medical Association, and the Oncology Physicians Branch of the Fujian Medical Doctor Association. Through regular academic conferences, we promptly disseminate the latest advancements and provide in-depth interpretations of updated guidelines. Our goal is to achieve cognitive homogenization across all levels of healthcare, enabling tailored and optimal treatment for patients based on local conditions.

Additionally, we actively undertake guideline tours as part of the responsibilities of the Breast Cancer Committee of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and the Breast Cancer Committee of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO). These tours are structured across three tiers:

• Provincial Level: Organized by the presidium to deliver guideline tours.
• Municipal and County Levels: Delivered by mid-career and young experts.
• County-Level Extension: Following directives from higher authorities, we extend the tasks of young academic committees to county regions, ensuring that grassroots experts and scholars can immediately access updated guideline information.

These efforts aim to enhance the quality of healthcare services at the county level, improve the five-year survival rates for patients with advanced breast cancer, and elevate early detection, diagnosis, and treatment capabilities. Ultimately, this approach increases the chances of cure for many patients.

About Dr. Jian Liu

• Director, Breast Oncology Department, Fujian Cancer Hospital; Expert, Fujian Provincial Healthcare Commission
• Director, Tumor Chemotherapy Quality Control Center, Fujian Health Commission
• Chair, Breast Disease Branch, Fujian Medical Association
• Chair, Oncology Physicians Branch, Fujian Medical Doctor Association
• Deputy Chair, Breast Disease Expert Training Committee, Chinese Medical Doctor Association
• Deputy Chair, Breast Disease Branch, China Primary Healthcare Smart Health Foundation
• Deputy Chair, Breast Disease Branch, China Society for Health Science and Technology Promotion
• Deputy Chair, Supervisory Committee, Major Disease Relief Fund, Fujian Red Cross
• Deputy Chair, Rare Disease Branch, Fujian Medical Association
• Standing Member, Breast Cancer Professional Committee, Chinese Anti-Cancer Association
• Standing Member, Breast Cancer Professional Committee, Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO)
• Standing Member, Tumor Cardiology Expert Committee, CSCO
• Editorial Board Member of numerous journals, including JCO Chinese Edition Breast Cancer Special Issue, Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery, and Clinical Oncology Journal
• Member and Secretary, Breast Cancer Group, National Health and Family Planning Commission Rational Drug Use Expert Committee
• Member, Breast Cancer Expert Committee, National Cancer Quality Control Center
• Member, Expert Committee for Clinical Anticancer Drug Monitoring, National Anticancer Drug Clinical Use Monitoring Committee
• Member, Breast Cancer Group, Chinese Medical Association Oncology Branch
• Member, Breast Cancer Group, Maternal and Child Health Branch, Chinese Preventive Medicine Association
• Member, Tumor Physicians Branch, Chinese Medical Doctor Association
• Chief Expert, AI-Based Standardized Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Project, CSCO.