Editor's Note: With an international perspective and a focus on leading-edge advancements, the Overseas Experts China Tour project welcomed a prominent figure in the field of lung cancer from August 5th to 10th, 2024—Dr. Jürgen Wolf, Director of the Centre for Integrated Oncology (CIO) at University Hospital of Cologne, Professor of Interdisciplinary Translational Oncology at the University of Cologne, and Head of the CIO Lung Cancer Program. During his five-day academic exchange tour in China, Professor Wolf visited Chengdu, Hangzhou, Changsha, and Qingdao, attracting lung cancer experts from across the country for discussions and exchanges. Throughout these academic activities, Professor Wolf not only shared the experiences of lung cancer diagnosis and treatment in Germany but also engaged in vigorous academic discussions with Chinese experts on the latest advancements and contentious topics in lung cancer treatment, sparking many brilliant ideas.

During this academic tour in China, Dr. Jürgen Wolf shared the “Cologne Experience” in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment, particularly the experiences from the Centre for Integrated Oncology (CIO) at the University Hospital of Cologne. According to Professor Wolf, approximately 138,000 cancer cases are reported annually in the Western Germany region, including around 40,000 outpatient cases and 98,000 inpatient cases. The University Hospital of Cologne, where the CIO is located, boasts a long-standing historical tradition. In this vibrant and historically rich area, Dr. Jürgen Wolf and his team have made significant strides in lung cancer treatment innovation, establishing a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach to closed-loop management that spans from clinical screening, diagnosis, clinical validation, clinical trials, to real-world research, embodying the “from bench to bedside” philosophy.

Dr. Jürgen Wolf also introduced the achievements of the National Network Genomic Medicine (nNGM) Lung Cancer Project in Germany, of which he is the founder and spokesperson. Established in 2018 and led by the German Cancer Consortium, the nNGM now covers 28 specialized academic centers across Germany. The project focuses on key tasks such as “molecular diagnostics,” “digital networking and real-world evidence,” “molecular tumor boards and preclinical evaluation,” “clinical trial coordination,” “personalized immunotherapy,” and “hereditary cancer risk.” These academic centers collaborate with over 500 regional partners, including community hospitals and private clinics, enabling most patients to receive treatment close to home. This nationwide network fosters interconnected diagnosis and research, with many findings already incorporated or expected to be incorporated into authoritative guidelines such as those of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). Looking ahead, the nNGM aims to continue expanding its patient base, connect patients digitally to continuously generate evidence, assess the genetic impact on cancer patients, and implement biotherapies for patients with driver gene-negative tumors. These measures aim to enhance the efficiency of clinical trials and treatment outcomes, providing patients with more personalized care.

During the discussion sessions, Chinese lung cancer experts delved deeper into topics such as how to combine clinical experience with translational research directions, conduct clinical research and practice on molecular biomarkers, explore clinical research on lung cancer with rare mutations, and share experiences in publishing SCI papers. They also exchanged insights on conducting multi-center clinical trials and building lung cancer treatment networks in Germany with Dr. Jürgen Wolf.

When sharing experiences in lung cancer clinical research, Dr. Jürgen Wolf highlighted the research achievements of the Collaborative Research Center in Cologne (CRC 1399) in the field of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). He pointed out that while immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with chemotherapy have brought breakthroughs in SCLC treatment, managing resistance after progression remains a significant challenge, as the loss of TP53 and RB1 cannot yet be targeted. The CRC 1399 project has made remarkable progress in understanding the mechanisms of drug sensitivity and resistance in SCLC. Additionally, Professor Wolf introduced new therapeutic approaches for SCLC, such as DLL3/CD3 bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTE) and targeted DNA damage repair (DDR) therapies.

In the context of small cell lung cancer, Dr. Jürgen Wolf engaged in in-depth discussions with Chinese experts from various regions. These discussions covered how to conduct more valuable research to improve overall survival in SCLC patients, practical and research explorations of SCLC molecular biomarkers, and how clinicians and basic researchers can better collaborate to advance the development of precision medicine in lung cancer. The diagnosis and treatment of translational SCLC, in particular, sparked significant interest and heated debate among experts. There are still many gaps to fill and unknowns to explore regarding the molecular pathology, genetic characteristics, resistance mechanisms, and optimized precision treatment strategies for this type of tumor.

Dr. Jürgen Wolf‘s five-day academic tour in China has come to a successful conclusion, but the academic discussions with Chinese experts continue to resonate. This academic exchange has sparked strong interest among Chinese and international experts in lung cancer clinical and research directions. We look forward to more collaborative research efforts between Chinese and European experts, contributing further to the fight against lung cancer.