Editor’s Note: From June 20 to 22, the 19th Annual Meeting of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association Hematology Branch and the 2025 China Hematology Conference (CAH 2025) was held in the historic city of Xi’an. As a major academic event in China’s hematology community, the conference maintained its core mission of “serving clinical practice,” with a strong focus on treatment standardization, practical application, and multicenter collaboration, fostering deep integration of academic exchange and clinical implementation. During the event, Oncology Frontier – Hematology Frontier interviewed Professor Jin Lu from Peking University People's Hospital, Executive Chair of CAH 2025, for an in-depth conversation on the highlights of this year’s conference and the development of multiple myeloma (MM) care in China.Oncology Frontier – Hematology Frontier: As the Executive Chair of CAH 2025, how would you evaluate the positioning and highlights of this year’s conference?
Professor Jin Lu: The annual meeting of the Medical Doctor Association has always adhered to the core mission of “serving clinical practice.” Unlike medical societies, which may emphasize academic research, the Medical Doctor Association focuses more on standardized clinical procedures and professional training for physicians. With that in mind, we designed the conference agenda to align closely with real-world clinical needs.
For example, in the themed lecture sessions, we emphasized the dissemination of standardized diagnosis and treatment protocols, rather than focusing on cutting-edge or early-stage scientific research. In the clinical case discussion segment, we encouraged submissions that raise representative and practical questions, with a strong emphasis on comprehensive diagnostic reasoning and differential diagnosis. Our priority is not the rarity of the case, but rather whether it reflects a systematic clinical thought process. Cases that demonstrate this kind of reasoning are more likely to be selected for discussion at the conference.
In addition, the debate session—one of the signature elements of the Medical Doctor Association’s annual meeting—remains a crowd favorite. These debates typically focus on current hot topics in clinical care and involve seasoned experts. Compared with conventional lectures, debate participants are expected to conduct extensive literature reviews, prepare rigorous arguments, and demonstrate strong critical thinking and adaptability. Many experts have shared that participating in a debate is more challenging than giving a standard lecture. This emphasis on clinical reasoning and practical training is what gives the Medical Doctor Association’s annual meeting its unique value and appeal.
Oncology Frontier – Hematology Frontier: In recent years, significant progress has been made in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). Looking ahead, what key areas do you believe require focused effort to further enhance MM diagnosis and treatment in China—particularly in the introduction of innovative therapies, accumulation of real-world data, and advancement of multicenter collaborative research?
Professor Jin Lu: I believe there are three main areas where we face ongoing challenges and where future efforts should be concentrated.
First, the issue of standardizing diagnostic testing. As I mentioned in my presentation, testing practices still vary across different centers. For instance, with FISH testing, the thresholds used to define abnormalities are not consistent between institutions. Similarly, minimal residual disease (MRD) detection may also differ depending on the methodology and interpretation criteria. In an era where novel therapies are being introduced rapidly, a lack of standardization in diagnostic methods and criteria makes it difficult to conduct high-quality multicenter studies. Therefore, establishing uniform testing standards must be a top priority.
Second, we need to develop effective models for collaboration. Many centers are eager to work together and have accumulated rich data resources. However, these datasets often remain siloed, functioning as isolated “data islands” without meaningful integration. With the rapid advancement of AI technologies, breaking down these data silos has become a critical and urgent challenge. Achieving this will require not only proactive efforts from clinicians but also policy-level support to ensure the legality, safety, and practicality of data sharing, and to alleviate concerns surrounding data usage.
Third, we must address the development of robust follow-up systems. While follow-up tends to be well-structured for patients enrolled in clinical trials, those not participating in trials often lack standardized monitoring. In our recent real-world study, successful follow-up was largely made possible through the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Given that patients frequently move between hospitals and change contact information, clinicians often struggle to stay in touch, making long-term follow-up a significant challenge.
Moving forward, finding ways to better support clinicians in tracking patients over time will be essential. At the same time, I believe that patients themselves should take on greater responsibility by actively cooperating with follow-up procedures. Only with complete, long-term, and high-quality data can we develop treatment strategies that are truly scientific and precise.
· Chief Physician, Professor, Doctoral Supervisor
· Director, Myeloma–Lymphoma Unit, Department of Hematology, Peking University People’s Hospital
· National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases
· Peking University Institute of Hematology
Research Focus: Clinical and translational research in multiple myeloma, primary systemic amyloidosis, lymphoma, and cellular immunotherapy.
Academic and Professional Appointments:
· Vice President and Secretary General, Hematology Branch, Chinese Medical Doctor Association
· President, Hematology Branch, Beijing Medical Doctor Association
· Vice Chair, Multiple Myeloma Committee and Histiocytic Disorders Committee, Chinese Medical Doctor Association
· Vice President, Hematology Branch of the Chinese Geriatrics Society; Chair, Academic Committee on Multiple Myeloma
· Deputy Head, Plasma Cell Disease Group, Hematology Branch, Chinese Medical Association
· Deputy Head, Multiple Myeloma and Related Disorders Group, Hematology Committee, Chinese Medical Women’s Association
· Member, Chinese and International Collaborative Groups on Primary Systemic Amyloidosis
· Member, International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and Asia-Pacific Myeloma Working Group (APMWG)
· Member, International Kidney and Monoclonal Gammopathy Research Group
Publications and Research:
· Over 100 publications as first or corresponding author, including in Leukemia, Clinical and Translational Medicine, Blood Cancer Journal, British Journal of Haematology, among others
· Lead editor of 5 monographs; contributing author to 21 additional books
· Principal investigator of 3 National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) grants, including 1 key project; 1 First Launch Fund grant; 2 sub-projects under China’s “985 Program”
· Participant in major national research initiatives under the Ministry of Science and Technology
· Currently leads 4 ongoing funded projects
· Principal investigator or lead site for over 30 domestic and international multicenter clinical trials
· Lead author of multiple national guidelines in the field of plasma cell disorders.
