IOncology

Head and neck tumors are common malignant tumors among Chinese residents, significantly impacting organ function, quality of life, and prognosis due to disease progression and treatment effects. The "2024 Annual Progress in Clinical Oncology Conference (BOC) and Best of ASCO 2024 China" was recently held in Guangzhou, showcasing the progress of clinical oncology research in China and sharing cutting-edge information from the ASCO conference. On this occasion, "Oncology Frontier" invited Dr. Ye Guo from Shanghai East Hospital , Tongji University to share key research insights related to head and neck tumors.

In a significant advancement in breast cancer research, Dr. Yongmei Yin and her team from The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital published the article "Unveiling Alterations of Epigenetic Modifications and Chromatin Architecture Leading to Lipid Metabolic Reprogramming during the Evolutionary Trastuzumab Adaptation of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer" in Advanced Science on May, 2024. This pivotal study investigates the epigenetic and chromatin structural changes that lead to metabolic reprogramming during the development of trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2-positive breast cancer is characterized by the overexpression of the HER2 protein, which promotes the growth of cancer cells. Trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody, targets the HER2 protein but is met with resistance in many patients over time. This study addresses the urgent need to understand the underlying mechanisms of trastuzumab resistance to improve treatment strategies.

Dr. Zefei Jiang from The Fifth Medical Center of  Chinese PLA General Hospital, along with his colleagues, published the groundbreaking article titled "Neoadjuvant-adjuvant pertuzumab in HER2-positive early breast cancer: final analysis of the randomized phase III PEONY trial" in Nature Communications  on March 9, 2024. This pivotal research examines the long-term efficacy and safety of incorporating pertuzumab, a monoclonal antibody, into the treatment regimen for HER2-positive early and locally advanced breast cancer. HER2-positive breast cancer is characterized by the overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. Pertuzumab targets the HER2 receptor, working synergistically with trastuzumab, another HER2-targeted therapy, to provide a more effective treatment approach.

The results of studies such as postMONARCH and Young-PEARL presented at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting have sparked a new round of discussions on treatment strategies for patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer. To gain deeper insights into the significance of these studies and their implications for clinical practice, Professor Shaohua Zhang from The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital provided a detailed analysis of the relevant research at the 2024 BOC/BOA Annual Meeting.

The 8th Yunling Breast Cancer Summit Forum, hosted by the Yunnan Anti-Cancer Association and the China Medical Education Association and organized by Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan Hospital/Yunnan Cancer Hospital/The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University/Yunnan Cancer Center, Yunnan Breast Cancer Clinical Research Center, Yunnan Anti-Cancer Association Breast Cancer Professional Committee, Yunnan Medical Association Breast Cancer Professional Committee, and China Medical Education Association Breast Disease Professional Committee, will be held on July 14, 2024, in the beautiful spring city of Kunming. "Oncology Frontier" interviewed Professor Jianyun Nie, the chairman of the conference, to share the highlights of this event.

From July 5th to 7th, the highly anticipated 2024 Annual Progress Seminar in Clinical Oncology in China (BOC) and Best of ASCO 2024 China were grandly held in Guangzhou. This conference focused on the "2023 Annual Progress in Clinical Oncology in China" selected by CSCO, aiming to deeply analyze the latest research achievements in the field of oncology in China. Based on the actual situation of cancer incidence in the country, the conference specially invited authoritative experts in the field of oncology and carefully selected outstanding papers from the 2024 ASCO conference in various related fields for comprehensive and in-depth interpretation. During the conference, "Oncology Frontier - Hematology Frontier" had the honor to interview Professor Meng Wu from Peking University Cancer Hospital, who shared profound insights and unique academic perspectives on major research in the field of lymphoma.

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).