Focus on clinical priorities, summarize global advancements – the 2024 Lung Cancer Precision Therapy Academic Conference was held on December 15 in Shenzhen. Organized by the Southern Branch of the National Cancer Center, Guangdong Clinical Medicine Association, Guangdong Thoracic Diseases Society, Shenzhen Anti-Cancer Association, and Shenzhen Health Promotion Association, the event was hosted by the the Shenzhen Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS). Oncology Frontier had the privilege of interviewing the conference chair, Professor Jianhua Chang, from the Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen Cancer Hospital who shared key insights from this highly anticipated academic event.Oncology Frontier ：The Lung Cancer Precision Therapy Academic Conference has become a recognized academic brand. Could you tell us about its origins, development, and goals? What impact do you hope this year’s conference will have on the field?
Professor Jianhua Chang: As we approach the end of the year, this conference serves as an annual review of progress in the field of lung cancer. In 2024, four major global oncology conferences (ELCC, ASCO, WCLC, and ESMO) unveiled numerous pivotal research findings. Notably, recent years have seen a growing number of impactful results from Chinese researchers presented on these international stages, many of which have shaped lung cancer treatment strategies and guidelines.
We scheduled this year’s conference in December, leveraging Shenzhen’s warm climate to create a comfortable environment for attendees from across the country. The event primarily focused on medical treatments but also included discussions on radiotherapy and multidisciplinary approaches. We invited renowned experts, including Professors Li Zhang and Yan Wang, to review key positive findings from 2024 and discuss unresolved controversies in lung cancer treatment.
Our goal in hosting this conference is to enhance awareness and understanding of lung cancer management among oncology professionals, particularly in Shenzhen. As a relatively young institution, our hospital hopes this platform will also help our junior doctors expand their knowledge and clinical expertise.
Oncology Frontier ：What distinguishes the academic agenda of the 2024 Lung Cancer Precision Therapy Academic Conference? What were your considerations in structuring and categorizing the topics?
Professor Jianhua Chang: Research on targeted therapies for lung cancer has spanned more than two decades, while immunotherapy has advanced over the past 5–10 years. These developments have brought transformative treatment options for early to advanced-stage lung cancer, marking several milestones along the way.
However, significant challenges remain. For instance, strategies for overcoming resistance to third-generation EGFR-TKI therapies have seen little progress for years. Encouragingly, some recent clinical trials, particularly those involving domestically developed drugs, have shown promising results. This conference addressed this topic, with Professor Li Zhang delivering a presentation on “Optimal First-Line Therapy for EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancer”, highlighting the HARMONi-A trial and other studies that could influence future clinical practice.
For rare mutations, Professor Yan Wang presented “2024 Advances in Research on Rare Mutations in NSCLC”, while Professor Xuchao Zhang discussed “KRAS-Mutant Lung Cancer in Precision Medicine.”
Immunotherapy, which has the potential to cure advanced lung cancer, remains a hot topic. Ongoing exploration of new drugs may lead to significant breakthroughs in the coming years. At the conference, Professor Fen Wang shared insights on “Advances in Immunotherapy for Advanced Lung Cancer in 2024.” Another focus was antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), which have emerged as a star treatment option for advanced lung cancer.
A key theme of the conference was multidisciplinary treatment. Effective cancer care, especially for advanced cases, requires a multidisciplinary approach that combines medical treatment, radiotherapy, interventional therapy, imaging diagnostics, and even surgery. For example, surgeries such as biopsies and tumor resection can alleviate symptoms in late-stage cases. Professor Chengzhi Zhou delivered a lecture on “From Respiratory Tumors to Tumor Respiration: Safeguarding Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Based on Clinical Needs,” while radiotherapy expert Professor Nan Bi reviewed “Advances in NSCLC Radiotherapy in 2024,” and Professor Wei Jiang presented “Adapting Radiotherapy to Drug Developments in Lung Cancer.”
Precision therapy relies heavily on accurate diagnostics. The conference also featured discussions on critical issues in lung cancer precision diagnostics.
Oncology Frontier ：China has made significant progress in lung cancer research, particularly in clinical drug development. What is the current state of lung cancer research in China, and what challenges remain?
Professor Jianhua Chang: China’s pharmaceutical industry has transitioned from generics to innovative drugs, and we are now making strides in developing original drugs. However, challenges persist, such as excessive competition in popular research areas. Once a hot topic emerges, numerous companies rush to invest, wasting resources and leading to intense commercial competition after product launch.
To date, China has not produced a true first-in-class innovative drug. Most drugs are me-too or me-better, with some achieving me-best results. Although Chinese researchers have proposed innovative ideas, we have yet to make groundbreaking discoveries like those recognized by Nobel Prizes overseas.
I hope that Chinese scientists, clinicians, and researchers will focus on practical clinical problems, deeply explore mechanisms and host environments, and develop novel treatment concepts to create genuinely innovative drugs. As President Xi Jinping advocates for “peaceful development and win-win cooperation,” we aim to collaborate with international experts, including those from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, to develop better drugs that benefit humanity.
Oncology Frontier ：The Shenzhen Hospital of CAMS has been active in lung cancer research. Could you share your outlook for future research and clinical efforts in lung cancer?
Professor Jianhua Chang: Our hospital, established seven years ago, will mark its eighth anniversary next year. As the only cancer specialty hospital in the Shenzhen Bay Area, we bear a significant responsibility. Lung cancer, as one of the most common and fatal malignancies in China, poses a major threat to public health.
Through the Lung Cancer Precision Therapy Academic Conference, we aim to leverage the leadership of the CAMS headquarters in Beijing and our role as a regional medical center. We also seek to strengthen collaboration with local institutions such as the Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, and Shenzhen hospitals.
Our goal is to significantly enhance research, medical services, and patient care. We hope to provide high-quality, precise treatment for patients in Shenzhen and South China, improving survival rates and quality of life. Additionally, we are committed to early screening, diagnosis, and prevention efforts to reduce the overall incidence of cancer, combining prevention and treatment to mitigate its impact on public health.
Professor Jianhua Chang
Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences , Shenzhen Cancer Hospital
Director of the Department of Internal Medicine, Professor, Chief Physician
Expert of the Lung Cancer Group, National Committee for Monitoring Clinical Use of Antitumor Drugs
Chairman of the Professional Committee of Tumor Immunotherapy Public Welfare Fund, China Primary Health Care Foundation
Vice Chairman of the Committee on Tumor Chemotherapy, China Pharmaceutical Education Association
Standing Member of the Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Committee, Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO)
Standing Member of the Vascular Targeted Therapy Committee, Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO)
Standing Member of the Clinical Research Committee, Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO)
Standing Member of the Committee on Clinical Chemotherapy, Chinese Anti-Cancer Association
Vice Chairman of the CMUP Committee, Guangdong Anti-Cancer Association
Standing Member of the Society of Medical Oncology, Guangdong Medical Association
Vice Chairman of the Oncology Committee, Guangdong Society of Clinical Medicine
Vice President of the Thoracic Oncology Physicians Branch, Shenzhen Medical Association
Chairman of the Tumor Immunotherapy Committee, Shenzhen Medical Association
