IOncology

Traditional treatment for head and neck tumors mainly involves surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising potential in treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and new radiotherapy techniques such as proton and carbon ion therapy offer treatment options with reduced radiation toxicity for patients with head and neck tumors. At the recent 2024 BOC/BOA conference, Professor Chaosu Hu from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center chaired the head and neck tumor session, sharing and discussing significant research findings from the 2024 ASCO conference with colleagues. Oncology Frontier interviewed Professor Hu at the BOC/BOA conference to further explore the current diagnosis and treatment status and research progress in head and neck tumors.

In the field of breast cancer treatment, the rapid development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) is gradually changing the traditional treatment landscape, bringing more hope to patients. The presentation of the DB-06 and OptiTROP-Breast01 studies at the 2024 ASCO conference has elevated the application of ADC drugs in breast cancer treatment to a new level. At the 2024 BOC/BOA conference, Oncology Frontier invited Professor Ying Fan from the Cancer Institute & Hospital  Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences to provide an in-depth interpretation of these two research advances and discuss the latest developments in ADC drug treatment for HER2-low breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Kidney cancer is one of the three major tumors of the urinary system. According to statistics, in 2022, there were approximately 77,000 new cases and 46,000 deaths from kidney cancer in China. The prognosis for advanced metastatic kidney cancer is poor, with a five-year overall survival rate of less than 20% with targeted therapy alone. As research progresses both domestically and internationally, the treatment of advanced kidney cancer is continuously improving. At this year’s Annual Progress Seminar of Chinese Clinical Oncology (BOC) and Best of ASCO 2024 China (BOC/BOA 2024) held in Guangzhou, Oncology Frontier invited Professor Pei Dong from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center to share insights on the unmet needs for advanced kidney cancer in China, the latest treatment advancements both domestically and internationally, and the future changes in clinical practice.

From July 5 to 7, 2024, the 2024 Annual Progress Seminar of Chinese Clinical Oncology (BOC) and Beast of ASCO® 2024 China (BOC/BOA) was grandly held in Guangzhou. On the 6th, Professor Xiaojie Bian from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center shared the latest drug development progress for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) from the 2024 ASCO annual meeting in the urologic tumor session, showcasing the new radioligand drug JNJ-6420 and the PROTAC AR-766.

As the Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), he leads the charge in aligning Chinese clinical oncology with international standards. Experience the cutting-edge advancements in targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and the integration of precision medicine. Let's innovate together for a future where cancer treatment knows no borders.

From July 5-7, 2024, the 2024 Chinese Clinical Oncology Annual Progress Seminar (BOC) and Beast of ASCO® 2024 China were grandly held in Guangzhou. On the 6th, a special session on urinary system tumors convened, gathering significant progress from ASCO. In the field of kidney cancer treatment, besides international advancements, China has made significant strides in first-line and second-line treatments involving immunotherapy combinations and HIF-2α inhibitors, showcasing China’s cutting-edge scientific strength on the international stage. At this conference, "Oncology Frontier" invited Professor Jun Guo from Peking University Cancer Hospital to provide an overview of the current status and prospects of advanced kidney cancer treatment. Additionally, Professor Pei Dong from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center was interviewed to discuss the unmet clinical needs and cutting-edge developments in kidney cancer treatment domestically and internationally, and to grasp the trends in combination therapy for kidney cancer.

In recent years, the accurate detection of HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) expression in breast cancer has become crucial for guiding personalized treatment strategies. However, the heterogeneity of HER2 expression, including spatial and temporal heterogeneity, poses challenges for clinical decision-making. In this article, Professor Songqing Ye from Fujian Provincial Hospital delves into the impact of tumor HER2 expression heterogeneity and how to select appropriate samples (primary or metastatic lesions) for testing to utilize novel ADC drugs effectively, aiming to provide more precise guidance for personalized treatment of breast cancer patients.

For premenopausal patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (mBC), treatment choices are complex due to physiological characteristics, tumor properties, and treatment tolerance. Many patients receive chemotherapy early due to endocrine resistance and concerns about rapid tumor progression, with capecitabine being a commonly used regimen. At the 2024 ASCO conference, the latest updated survival results from the Young-PEARL randomized phase II study were presented. The study evaluated the safety and clinical anti-tumor efficacy of palbociclib combined with GnRHa and exemestane versus capecitabine in premenopausal HR+/HER2- mBC patients. Oncology Frontier interviewed the primary investigator, Professor Yeon Hee Park from Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, Korea, to discuss the study's background, methods, main results, and clinical significance. This comparative study provides significant insights into endocrine therapy for HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer, offering a valuable alternative to traditional chemotherapy.

In the field of breast cancer treatment, gene testing for early-stage breast cancer has become a vital component of precision medicine. By deeply analyzing the genetic expression profiles of patients, we can more accurately predict disease progression and develop more personalized adjuvant treatment strategies. However, how is gene testing currently applied in clinical practice, and what challenges remain? Oncology Frontier invited Professor Qiang Zhang from Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute to discuss the FLEX study presented at the 2024 ASCO conference.