IOncology

For many years, platinum-based chemotherapy has been the standard treatment for metastatic urothelial carcinoma. However, this year’s EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39 study results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), demonstrated that the combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab (EV+P) significantly improves survival outcomes for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. The 2024 ASCO Breakthrough conference, held from August 8-10 in Yokohama, Japan, presented the efficacy and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from the KEYNOTE-A39 study. Here is a summary for our readers.

The ASCO Breakthrough Summit, co-hosted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the Japanese Society of Clinical Oncology (JSCO), and the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology (JSMO), in collaboration with several authoritative societies in the Asia-Pacific region, including the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (CACA) and the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), was held from August 8-10 in Yokohama, Japan. This year’s conference featured two significant advances in prostate cancer research (Abstract Nos. 118 and 119), which are summarized below.

In the spirit of "Healthy China, Urology First," the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Chinese Urological Association (CUDA) was grandly held in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, from August 8th to 11th, 2024. The event showcased the latest achievements in urological medicine from a global and multidimensional perspective. In recent years, with the deepening of molecular exploration, prostate cancer treatment has entered the era of precision medicine. Urology Frontier invited Dr. Qiang Wei from West China Hospital, Sichuan University, to discuss the significance, recent breakthroughs, and future applications of precision medicine in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the male urinary system, with over 110,000 new cases diagnosed annually in China. The bones are the primary site of metastasis for prostate cancer, leading to bone-related events (BREs) such as pathological fractures, spinal cord compression, and bone pain, which significantly impact patients' quality of life and long-term prognosis. Studies have shown that 60%-75% of prostate cancer patients with bone metastases experience severe bone pain at diagnosis, causing substantial disruption to their daily lives. Bone-related events, represented by bone pain, accompany the entire course of disease progression in prostate cancer bone metastasis patients, imposing a heavy economic burden on patients, families, and society. Urology Frontier has invited Dr. Shun Zhang from Medical School of Nanjing University Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital to share insights on this topic.

Prostate cancer is a common malignant tumor of the reproductive system, particularly affecting elderly men. Screening high-risk populations and tailoring treatment plans based on patient characteristics are crucial for improving cure rates and enhancing quality of life. Recently, the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting unveiled numerous advancements in the precision treatment of prostate cancer. "Oncology Frontier" invited Dr. Fu Fu Zheng from The First Affiliated Hospital , Sun Yat-sen University to provide an in-depth analysis of these advancements and discuss the latest breakthroughs in prostate cancer. This article summarizes the current challenges and directions in prostate cancer treatment, sharing insights into genomics, liquid biopsy, and new targeted therapy explorations presented at the ASCO conference.

For patients with recurrent metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), would you choose "chemotherapy + immunotherapy" or "ADC" for treatment? At the 2024 Breast Cancer Summer Forum·Northern Salon "In-Depth Analysis" session, Dr. Wei Li from Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital and Dr. Shaohua Zhang from the Chinese PLA General Hospital presented their respective viewpoints. Dr. Wei Li expressed a preference for "chemotherapy + immunotherapy," while Dr. Shaohua Zhang opted for "ADC." Following the session, Oncology Frontier invited the two experts to elaborate on their perspectives.

For patients with recurrent metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), would you choose "chemotherapy + immunotherapy" or "ADC" for treatment? At the 2024 Breast Cancer Summer Forum·Northern Salon "In-Depth Analysis" session, Dr. Wei Li from Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital and Dr. Shaohua Zhang from the Chinese PLA General Hospital presented their respective viewpoints. Dr. Wei Li expressed a preference for "chemotherapy + immunotherapy," while Dr. Shaohua Zhang opted for "ADC." Following the session, Oncology Frontier invited the two experts to elaborate on their perspectives.

At the recent 14th Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert Meeting (APPLE 2024), Dr. Jian Zhou from Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, officially assumed the position of the new Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert Association (APPLE). This marks the first time since the establishment of the APPLE Alliance that a Chinese mainland expert has held the chairmanship, signifying that Chinese liver cancer experts will step onto this highly influential international academic stage as leaders. This allows for deeper integration of Chinese wisdom and strength into international liver cancer academic exchanges. Oncology Frontier and Hepatology Digest had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Jian Zhou to share his thoughts and plans as the new APPLE Chairman, the significant achievements in the field of liver cancer surgical treatment in China, and the growing international influence of Chinese liver cancer guidelines and consensus, which have greatly promoted standardized diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer.

Cancer-related anemia (CRA) encompasses anemia that occurs in cancer patients during disease progression or treatment, including non-chemotherapy-related CRA and chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA). With the increase in chemotherapy treatments, the incidence of anemia is significant, with over 90% of patients not receiving any corrective treatment. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the current practices and perceptions of Chinese clinicians in managing CIA and to improve the management level of CIA in China, Oncology Frontier initiated a "Survey on Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia in Cancer Patients," collecting 308 questionnaires from 28 provinces and cities across the country. The survey revealed that although the current management concepts of CIA in China still differ from existing guidelines, Chinese clinicians' awareness of CIA management is continually strengthening, contributing to the standardization of management for anemia related to new anti-cancer therapies.

Mammography is the only imaging method proven to detect breast cancer early and reduce patient mortality; however, traditional mammography often yields false-positive results, and the long-term outcomes of these false positives remain unclear. Recently, a Swedish study involving 497,343 women found that the risk of breast cancer following a false-positive mammogram varies based on personal characteristics and follow-up. These findings underscore the importance of long-term follow-up awareness for women with false-positive mammograms and help tailor personalized screening strategies based on false-positive results.