The 18th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (18-ICML), hosted by the Fondazione Internazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro (IOR), was held from June 17–21, 2025, in Lugano, Switzerland. As one of the most prestigious biennial academic events in the field of hematologic malignancies, this year's meeting gathered thousands of hematologists, clinical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and translational researchers from around the world for in-depth discussions on lymphoma pathogenesis, translational breakthroughs, and clinical innovation.A major highlight of the conference was the special academic session co-organized by the Union for China Lymphoma Investigators (UCLI) and ICML. In this session, Professor Donglu Zhao from the Harbin Institute of Hematology and Oncology delivered a keynote address that systematically presented China’s breakthroughs in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). His presentation not only offered a “China solution” for global clinical lymphoma practice, but also demonstrated how standardized treatment pathways and homegrown drug innovation are paving the way toward improved long-term outcomes for patients.
In an exclusive interview with Hematology Frontier, Professor Zhao provided an in-depth interpretation of the highlights from China’s DLBCL research, progress in innovative therapies, and localized strategies for improving patient survival.
Hematology Frontier: Chinese researchers have made significant progress in the diagnosis and treatment of DLBCL. How have these findings shaped clinical practice in China? Compared to international studies, what unique efficacy and safety features have emerged in the optimization of DLBCL treatment strategies in China, and what are the key factors driving them?
Professor Donglu Zhao: In recent years, Chinese scholars have achieved a series of groundbreaking advances in the clinical research of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), contributing valuable insights to the global landscape of lymphoma treatment. At this year’s ICML conference, I presented a systematic overview of China’s innovative developments in this field, emphasizing the lasting clinical impact of diagnosis and treatment strategies with uniquely Chinese characteristics.
One of the highlights has been the exploration of treatments for specific subtypes such as double-expressor DLBCL. Chinese research teams have led original studies, including the DEB trial, which demonstrated that combining the histone deacetylase inhibitor chidamide with R-CHOP significantly improved event-free survival (EFS) in patients with this poor-prognosis subtype. Based on this evidence, China’s National Medical Products Administration has officially approved this regimen as a first-line treatment for double-expressor DLBCL—marking a notable advance in precision medicine for lymphoma. Moreover, the regimen was recently incorporated into the 2025 CSCO guidelines, providing strong clinical guidance for individualized treatment decisions in China.
Equally noteworthy is the local adaptation of therapy to suit China’s clinical realities, such as the relatively lower tolerance and adherence to intensive chemotherapy among certain patient populations. Chinese researchers have actively investigated non-chemotherapy or reduced-intensity approaches, particularly for elderly DLBCL patients. Several prospective studies have confirmed the safety and efficacy of these regimens, demonstrating that they not only maintain treatment outcomes but also significantly improve tolerance and quality of life—offering promising directions for real-world application. These China-specific strategies are contributing to a new global treatment paradigm.
Overall, the rapid development of lymphoma research in China has been fueled by a dynamic environment for drug innovation. From novel targeted therapies and immunomodulators to optimized chemotherapy regimens and new combination strategies, a wealth of original studies has formed a multidimensional therapeutic ecosystem. This innovation-driven model is expanding treatment options and steadily advancing lymphoma care from “manageable” to potentially “curable,” delivering Chinese expertise and solutions to the global oncology community.
Hematology Frontier: Emerging therapies such as CAR-T cell therapy and bispecific antibodies are advancing rapidly in the global treatment landscape for DLBCL. Could you share China’s latest progress in these areas, including research and clinical practice? Are there localized challenges? Do Chinese data reveal any unique benefits for special populations or distinctive toxicity management insights?
Professor Donglu Zhao: CAR-T cell therapy and bispecific antibodies represent the most dynamic frontiers in lymphoma treatment today, with breakthroughs occurring worldwide. China, alongside the United States, plays a leading role in the global clinical research of these therapies. Chinese researchers have made notable contributions in both optimizing conventional CAR-T approaches and developing novel therapies.
In the field of traditional CAR-T therapies, Chinese research teams have conducted extensive foundational and clinical studies while also spearheading technological innovations. By refining CAR construct designs and improving signaling pathways, they have achieved dual progress—reducing adverse event rates while enhancing antitumor efficacy. One major breakthrough has been the development of dual-target CAR-T cells that simultaneously recognize two tumor-associated antigens, significantly increasing specificity in targeting malignant cells. In addition, combination strategies—such as CAR-T with small molecule targeted agents or sequential integration with autologous stem cell transplantation—have demonstrated promising translational potential and offer new avenues to improve patient outcomes.
China also remains at the forefront of next-generation cell immunotherapy technologies. For example, domestic teams are actively exploring CAR-NK therapies based on natural killer cells, as well as innovative platforms like FAST CAR-T, which enable faster cell manufacturing. These advances not only diversify therapeutic options but also aim to overcome limitations seen in conventional CAR-T therapies, such as long production timelines and challenges in managing cytokine release syndrome.
Altogether, China’s contributions underscore both scientific excellence and a strong capacity for independent innovation. These advancements are helping to expand the global toolkit for DLBCL treatment while addressing real-world clinical challenges, especially in adapting therapies to diverse patient populations and healthcare settings.
Hematology Frontier: Is there still a gap between the 5-year survival rate of lymphoma patients in China and that of developed countries? In your view, what is currently the biggest bottleneck in clinical practice when it comes to improving survival outcomes? How are Chinese researchers working to overcome these limitations?
Professor Donglu Zhao: Although some major medical centers in China have achieved 5-year survival rates for lymphoma comparable to those in developed countries, disparities in healthcare resource distribution and variability in clinical expertise across regions still contribute to an overall national survival rate that lags behind that of Western countries.
To address this, China is taking a multi-pronged approach to improve outcomes in lymphoma care. One key strategy is the development and broad dissemination of standardized diagnostic and treatment guidelines, ensuring that cutting-edge diagnostic technologies and evidence-based therapeutic protocols are implemented even in primary care settings—thus improving overall consistency in clinical practice.
Additionally, accelerating the research and development of innovative drugs is crucial. China is actively promoting the clinical translation of domestically developed original therapies, aiming to establish a full innovation pipeline from bench to bedside. With these systemic efforts, we are laying a solid foundation for improving the long-term survival of lymphoma patients nationwide.
Expert Profile
Professor Donglu Zhao Harbin Institute of Hematology & Oncology
- Assistant Director, Harbin Institute of Hematology & Oncology
- Director, Second Hematology Ward (Lymphatic System Diseases)
- Deputy Secretary-General, CSCO Lymphoma Expert Committee
- Member, CSCO Committees on Leukemia, Multiple Myeloma, and Antitumor Drug Safety
- Deputy Head, Chinese Society of Hematology Lymphocyte Disease Group
- Member, Oncology Expert Committee on Capacity Building and Continuing Education, National Health Commission
- Standing Committee Member, Integrative Rehabilitation Committee for Lymphoma and Hematologic Tumors, Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (CACA)
- Member, Lymphoma and Hematologic Oncology Committees, CACA
- Member, Tumor Hematology Committee, CACA
- Standing Committee Member, Hematology Branch of the Chinese Geriatrics Society
- Member, Lymphoma Group, Hematology Branch, Chinese Medical Association
- Member, Lymphoma Subcommittee, Heilongjiang Medical Association
- Member, Hematology Committee, Heilongjiang Medical Association
- Standing Committee Member, Lymphoma & Myeloma Committee, Heilongjiang Medical Doctor Association
- Member, Hematology Committee, Heilongjiang Medical Doctor Association
- Standing Committee Member, Hematologic Oncology Committee, Heilongjiang Anti-Cancer Association
- Vice Chair, Lymphoma and Immunotherapy Committee, Heilongjiang International Exchange & Promotion Association for Medical and Healthcare
- From 2014 to 2015, Professor Zhao studied as a visiting scholar at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the United States.
