Editor’s Note: The 27th National Clinical Oncology Conference and 2024 CSCO Annual Meeting, hosted by the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) and the Beijing Xisike Clinical Oncology Research Foundation, is about to open in Xiamen. This grand event will bring together top domestic and international experts to share the latest research results and practical experiences. Ahead of the conference, Oncology Frontier interviewed Dr. Jun Guo of Peking University Cancer Hospital, who reflected on CSCO's development over the past two decades. He also introduced the key features and value of the newly updated CSCO Guidelines for Melanoma Diagnosis and Treatment and the CSCO Patient Education Manual - Melanoma. Emphasizing early detection and treatment, Professor Guo highlighted the promising outlook for melanoma therapy in China, where patients can expect improved survival rates and better quality of life thanks to the emergence of new drugs and advanced treatment concepts.

Oncology Frontier: CSCO has been growing for over 20 years since its founding in 1997. As the Secretary-General of CSCO, what are your thoughts on CSCO’s growth and development over these years?

Dr. Jun Guo: CSCO has undergone remarkable development over the past two decades. Under the leadership of pioneers such as Dr. Datong Chu, Dr. Yan Sun, Dr. Zhongzhen Guan, and Dr. Meilin Liao, CSCO was established and gradually grew. Throughout this process, generations of experts like Dr. Yilong Wu, Dr. Jun Ma, Dr. Shukui Qin, and Dr. Jin Li have worked tirelessly to support CSCO’s flourishing growth.

Over the years, CSCO has remained committed to its principles of unity, collaboration, and pragmatism, bringing together the domestic oncology community to carry out extensive clinical research and develop specialized diagnostic and treatment guidelines. I vividly remember August 2007, when the first CSCO expert committee, the Melanoma Expert Committee, was officially established in Hangzhou. Today, CSCO has grown to include 55 expert committees.

Notably, in 2008, CSCO launched its first Melanoma Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines, marking the birth of the CSCO guidelines series and opening a new chapter in standardized melanoma treatment in China. Since then, with the release of guidelines across various specialties, CSCO’s guideline system has become more comprehensive, creating a rich evidence-based medical knowledge base. These guidelines have been highly regarded by clinical oncology experts for their scientific rigor, practicality, and authority, earning trust and high praise across the field.

CSCO has consistently upheld its mission of contributing to the advancement of oncology in China, driving progress in diagnostic and treatment standards, and tirelessly working for the health and well-being of patients.

Oncology Frontier: At the melanoma session, the new CSCO Melanoma Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines and the first CSCO Patient Education Manual – Melanoma will be officially released. Could you introduce the key features and value of these guidelines?

Dr. Jun Guo: This year, we are launching an updated version of the CSCO Melanoma Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines, which further supplements the latest evidence from clinical studies, particularly focusing on unique melanoma subtypes prevalent in China and Asia—acral and mucosal melanoma. These updates provide more evidence-based support for these specific subtypes.

It has been a fruitful year for melanoma treatment. Early this year, trametinib was approved for the treatment of NRAS-mutated melanoma. Recently, pembrolizumab was approved for first-line treatment of advanced melanoma, and the application for toripalimab in first-line treatment of advanced melanoma has been accepted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).

What’s remarkable is that China’s development in melanoma treatment not only keeps pace with international advancements but has also taken a leading role in specific subtypes. Chinese researchers have conducted in-depth studies on acral and mucosal melanoma, contributing significant evidence to the global academic community. These contributions have shined on international stages like ASCO and ESMO.

The new CSCO Melanoma Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines are currently the only guidelines worldwide that separately classify and describe acral and mucosal melanoma. From neoadjuvant to adjuvant, first-line, and second-line treatments, Chinese melanoma researchers have built a comprehensive evidence chain for the Asian-specific melanoma subtypes. Therefore, our new CSCO Guidelines not only cover the treatments outlined in the NCCN and ESMO guidelines for cutaneous melanoma but also highlight China’s unique strengths. This guideline has been cited by many international counterparts, solidifying its comprehensive nature, distinct Chinese characteristics, and its significant impact on clinical practice.

Additionally, we are releasing the CSCO Patient Education Manual – Melanoma for the first time. This handbook, led by Professor Yin Yongmei, Vice President of CSCO and Chair of the CSCO Patient Education Expert Committee, aims to provide tailored educational materials for patients with specific cancer types.

Given that melanoma is a visible tumor, early identification and diagnosis are crucial for improving treatment outcomes. The CSCO Patient Education Manual – Melanoma emphasizes the importance of early detection and recognition. Whether the lesions are on the skin, acral areas, or mucous membranes, the manual provides detailed self-examination guidelines and warning signs.

The content is easy to understand and offers patients clear guidance on how to identify melanoma early and seek professional medical help. The manual also outlines the treatment pathways for different stages of melanoma (early, mid, late), including overviews of neoadjuvant, adjuvant, first-line, second-line, and third-line treatments. It ensures that patients are well-informed about their treatment options. Additionally, the manual addresses the psychological challenges of facing melanoma, providing constructive advice and mental support suggestions. I believe the CSCO Patient Education Manual – Melanoma will be welcomed by patients, serving as a valuable resource that offers them comprehensive care and guidance.

Looking ahead, the future of melanoma treatment in China is promising. After nearly two decades of efforts, we have moved beyond the limitations of having only dacarbazine as a treatment option. Today, more than ten new drugs and new indications have been approved, offering patients more treatment choices and hope. Numerous investigational treatments and new drugs continue to emerge, showing great therapeutic potential and indicating that patients may experience longer survival and better quality of life in the future. The introduction of advanced treatment concepts like neoadjuvant therapy also signifies a significant improvement in China’s melanoma treatment standards. Therefore, I am confident that with the joint efforts of the CSCO Melanoma Expert Committee and the broader community, Chinese melanoma patients will receive more precise, individualized treatments, leading to improved survival rates and quality of life.

Dr. Jun Guo

Dr. Jun Guo is the Director of the Melanoma and Sarcoma Department and the Urological Oncology Department at Peking University Cancer Hospital. He also serves as Vice President and Secretary-General of CSCO, Vice Chair of the International Melanoma Working Group (MWS), and Chair of the CSCO Melanoma Expert Committee. Additionally, Professor Guo holds key roles in various other cancer committees and has made significant contributions to clinical research and melanoma treatment in China.