Editor’s Note: The 2025 Annual Conference of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (BOC), held in conjunction with Best of ASCO 2025 China (BOC/BOA), will take place from July 4–5 in the historic city of Nanjing. This prestigious event will gather leading oncology experts from across China and around the world to reflect on major clinical oncology advances in China over the past year and to present key takeaways from the recently concluded American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the publication of Annual Research Progress in Chinese Clinical Oncology, making the occasion even more momentous. In celebration of the upcoming conference, we are honored to feature insights from Professor Jun Ma—member of the BOC/BOA Organizing Committee and a leading figure at the Harbin Institute of Hematology & Oncology—who shares the most anticipated highlights in the field of hematologic malignancies. Join us as we witness China’s academic contributions take the global stage and drive the future of oncology innovation.
BOC/BOA Conference Highlights: Global Frontiers Meet Chinese Innovation
Oncology Frontier – Hematology Frontier: What landmark studies or breakthroughs in hematologic malignancies can we expect from this year’s BOC/BOA? Which findings do you believe will have a direct impact on clinical practice in China?
Professor Jun Ma: This year, Chinese researchers have actively participated in several major international academic meetings, including the ASCO Annual Meeting, the European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress, the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Congress, and the International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML). China’s progress in the field of hematologic malignancies has been remarkable. At the ICML, for instance, China ranked second globally in the number of accepted abstracts—accounting for 24% of submissions, just behind the United States at 25%.
In lymphoma treatment, China has made strong strides across various modalities: small-molecule drugs, monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), cellular therapies, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. In particular, China’s research output in CAR-T therapy now represents over 58% of the global total, placing it nearly on par with the United States.
At this year’s BOC/BOA, we will highlight global advancements in small molecules, bispecifics, monoclonals, ADCs, and cell therapies, with a special emphasis on integrating these international insights with China’s own research achievements. One of the key objectives of the conference is to create a bridge between Chinese innovation and the global hematology community. In some areas of medical technology, China has moved beyond a phase of catching up and is now progressing in parallel with global leaders. This is especially true in the field of cellular therapies, where China is now considered a global frontrunner.
Therefore, the BOC/BOA will spotlight China’s most recent breakthroughs in lymphoma, myeloma, and leukemia. The goal is to accelerate the internationalization of China’s clinical experience and ensure that Chinese innovations are more widely recognized and exchanged on the global academic stage.
The Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) continues to champion a patient-centered, innovation-driven philosophy. Through platforms like BOC/BOA, we aim to foster deeper international collaboration in both cancer research and clinical practice.
“Annual Research Progress in Chinese Clinical Oncology” A Decade of Growth and a New Academic Frontier
Oncology Frontier – Hematology Frontier: As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Annual Research Progress in Chinese Clinical Oncology, what role do you think this publication has played in promoting academic exchange, standardizing clinical practices, and advancing domestic research in hematologic malignancies?
Professor Jun Ma: China’s pharmaceutical innovation landscape has evolved significantly—from a model dominated by “Me-too” and “Me-better” products to a new phase driven by First-in-Class and Fast-Follow strategies. In the field of hematologic and lymphoid malignancies, China has approved approximately 40 therapeutic agents, including the world’s first clinically approved JAK-1 inhibitor and the first CD79b antibody–drug conjugate (Polatuzumab vedotin) approved for first-line therapy. These milestones demonstrate that China is now at the forefront of global progress in hematologic cancer treatment.
The Annual Research Progress in Chinese Clinical Oncology has played a critical role over the past decade by comprehensively mapping China’s innovative drug landscape. It has highlighted high-interest molecular targets, examined their development challenges and future directions, and presented in-depth analyses of emerging therapeutic agents. By integrating domestic clinical experience with global scientific perspectives, the report has provided valuable guidance and scientific insight for Chinese drug development. Over the past ten years, it has helped steer the efforts of researchers and biopharma companies, accelerating the globalization of Chinese innovation, minimizing avoidable setbacks, and fostering international alignment. It has contributed meaningfully to the rapid advancement of China’s innovative drug ecosystem.
Since its founding 27 years ago, the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) has remained committed to the principles of unity, collaboration, and pragmatic innovation. Since China’s first international principal investigator (PI) engagement in 2002, Chinese PIs now account for approximately 20% of global clinical research leadership. In areas such as lung cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gastrointestinal tumors, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, esophageal and pancreatic cancers, and hepatocellular carcinoma, China has already achieved international prominence. An increasing number of Chinese researchers are now visible on the global stage, driving forward clinical oncology innovation.
Looking ahead, we must continue to expand international collaboration, drawing on both global and domestic real-world data and clinical experience. Together, we can push the boundaries of oncology research and bring Chinese clinical oncology to even greater heights.
In Summary The Annual Research Progress in Chinese Clinical Oncology report compiles China’s leading advancements in oncology treatment, drug development, and translational research. Its core mission is to promote the integration of Chinese oncology into global scientific discourse and help elevate China’s presence on the world stage.
The Future of Hematologic Oncology in China: A Strategic Opportunity to Lead the World
Oncology Frontier – Hematology Frontier: As a leading expert in hematologic malignancies, how do you foresee the development of clinical research in this field in China over the next five years? In what areas might China move from a position of catching up, to running alongside—or even leading—the global field?
Professor Jun Ma: Hematology in China has a long and distinguished history, spanning more than 120 years—predating the country’s oncology field by nearly four decades. It has continuously driven progress in both hematology and oncology, keeping China at the forefront of global scientific advancement. Since the emergence of China’s first generation of hematologists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, we are now witnessing the rise of the fifth and sixth generations, whose achievements continue to fuel remarkable progress.
One notable example is the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with arsenic trioxide. With cure rates exceeding 95%, this “Harbin protocol” has been internationally recognized as the gold standard. Under the leadership of Academician Xiaojun Huang, haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has also reached world-class levels, offering curative opportunities for patients with complex hematologic conditions.
China’s record of innovation in hematology is rich and ongoing. Academician Zhenyi Wang’s discovery of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) pioneered the global era of differentiation therapy. In recent years, China has kept pace with—or even outpaced—the United States in emerging technologies such as CAR-T cell therapy, bispecific antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). These advances are particularly evident in the treatment of relapsed/refractory lymphomas, B-cell leukemias, multiple myeloma, and certain immune-related disorders, where China now ranks among global leaders.
To sustain and build upon this momentum, it is vital for the next generation of hematologists and oncologists to carry forward the vision of their predecessors. By deepening international collaboration, embracing CSCO’s guiding principles of “unity, collaboration, and pragmatic innovation,” and remaining patient-centered and innovation-driven, China can confidently shift from global alignment to global leadership in hematologic oncology.
Expert Profile
Chief Physician, Professor, Doctoral Supervisor Director, Harbin Institute of Hematology & Oncology Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Vice Chair, Asian Clinical Oncology Society Chair, Expert Panel on Lymphoma Specialty Program, National Health Commission Capacity Building and Continuing Education Center Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma
Former Chair, Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Former Vice Chair, Hematology Branch, Chinese Medical Association
