IOncology

In early March, as the spring begins in Jiangcheng, the cherry blossoms bloom following the plum blossoms. The 4th Jiangcheng Breast Cancer Academic Forum was successfully held in Wuhan. Experts in breast cancer surgery, medical oncology, radiotherapy, and basic and translational research gathered to present numerous research advancements and clinical development trends. After the conference, Oncology Frontier invited the conference chair, Professor Jing Yao from Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, to share highlights of the conference and developments in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The situation of urological tumors in China is not optimistic, with the incidence of kidney cancer increasing annually by 4% to 7%. There is an urgent need to explore new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve incidence rates and patient prognosis. The 39th Annual Congress of the European Association of Urology (EAU24) was held from April 5 to 8, 2024, in Paris, France. Oncology Frontier invited Professor Tongyi Men from the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University to share his insights from the conference and advancements in kidney cancer research.

Breast diseases have the highest incidence among women, with breast cancer being the leading malignant tumor threatening women's health. From "one-size-fits-all" treatments to "individualized therapy" based on patients, the exploration of breast cancer treatment has been ongoing for centuries. At the 2024 South-North Forum, Prof. Zhiming Shao from Fudan University Cancer Hospital presented a report titled "Precision Typing Drives Diagnosis and Treatment Innovation: A New Model for Breast Cancer Precision Diagnosis and Treatment." This article introduces the key points of the report.

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor occurring in the male reproductive system. Although the incidence in China is lower than in Western countries, it has rapidly increased in recent years, now ranking as the sixth most common male malignancy. With rapid advances in related research, updating prostate cancer treatment guidelines based on the latest evidence-based medicine to suit China's specific context is crucial for early diagnosis, treatment, and improving prognosis. The 2024 CSCO Guidelines Conference is about to take place. "Oncology Frontier" invited Prof. Yao Zhu from Fudan University Cancer Hospital to share key points of the guideline updates.

In the first-line treatment of advanced HER2-positive breast cancer, the combination of pyrotinib and trastuzumab has introduced a new therapeutic model. The complementary mechanisms of large and small molecules have achieved a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 24.3 months, setting a new standard for first-line treatment of advanced HER2-positive breast cancer. This combination therapy is now recommended by three major domestic guidelines: CSCO BC, CBCS, and ABCC. While the success of this dual-target regimen in advanced stages is clear, its effectiveness in early-stage treatment remains to be seen. Can it provide a new dual-target option for neoadjuvant therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer? In this issue, "Oncology Frontier" invites Prof. Xiaowei Qi to share insights from his report at the South-North Forum titled "Clinical and Translational Research on Pyrotinib Combined with Trastuzumab as Neoadjuvant Therapy for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer," offering an in-depth exploration of this new dual-target regimen in early anti-HER2 therapy.

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (allo-HSCT) and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy have become crucial in the treatment of leukemia. However, the effectiveness and safety of these treatments continue to be hot topics of research. Recent breakthrough studies have provided valuable insights, particularly in the treatment of children with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), prevention and monitoring of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and management of complications following CAR-T therapy. The 50th European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) annual meeting, held from April 14 to 17, 2024, in Glasgow, UK, focused on the latest advancements in stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy, pushing forward better clinical outcomes for hematologic patients. At this conference, Professor Shaoyan Hu and her team from the Affiliated Children's Hospital of Soochow University reported on six studies. Oncology Frontier - Hematology Frontier specially invited Professor Shaoyan Hu and her team members to share their research findings on the efficacy and safety of allo-HSCT and CAR-T cell therapy in pediatric leukemia patients in a roundtable discussion format and to provide insightful commentary on these six studies.

Radical cystectomy (RC) and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) are standard treatments for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), yet distant metastasis remains a challenge for some patients. Exploring perioperative treatment options for MIBC is crucial to improve patient outcomes. At the 39th Annual European Association of Urology (EAU24) Congress in Paris, France, "Oncology Frontier" invited Dr. Zedan Zhang from Professor Kan Gong’s team at Peking University First Hospital to discuss the latest advancements in MIBC perioperative treatment.

In recent years, numerous breakthroughs have been made in the field of renal tumors. The EAU Guidelines Panel continually incorporates new research data and evidence-based medicine to revise and update the EAU guidelines. At the 39th Annual European Association of Urology (EAU24) Congress held in Paris, France, "Oncology Frontier" invited Dr. Ruiyi Deng from Professor Kan Gong's team at Peking University First Hospital to discuss the redefinition of small renal masses (SRMs) and the value of active surveillance.

With the continuous development of medicine and science and technology, the field of breast cancer treatment has seen new breakthroughs. We have witnessed an increasing number of new discoveries and research advancements gradually being applied in clinical practice. These achievements not only enhance the efficiency of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment but also bring more possibilities for breast cancer patients to return to normal life. At the 2024 Southern-Northern Summit, Academician Binghe Xu from the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences presented a report on "Progress and Future of Clinical Research in Breast Cancer," sharing current screening and treatment advancements, and experiences from clinical research at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. This article reviews his insights.

For hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer patients with no lymph node involvement (N0) and limited high-risk factors, the consensus has been that their risk of recurrence is low, and adjuvant endocrine therapy alone is sufficient. However, with the release of studies like NATALEE, it has become apparent that intensifying treatment for these patients to reduce the risk of recurrence is also necessary. At the 2024 South-North Forum, Prof. Hong Hu from Shenzhen People's Hospital presented a lecture on "Adjuvant Therapy for HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer: Do N0 Patients with Limited High-Risk Factors Need CDK4/6 Inhibitors?" This article reviews the lecture content.