IOncology

With breast cancer incidence rates on the rise globally, it has become a major health threat to women. In China, the challenge of breast cancer control is equally significant, and improving the quality of diagnosis, treatment, and survival rates for breast cancer patients has become a critical task in healthcare. International cooperation has been a driving force in advancing breast cancer clinical research worldwide. At the 2024 Breast Cancer Standardized Diagnosis, Treatment, and Quality Control Conference, Academician Binghe Xu from the Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences delivered a report on the current state and future of breast cancer clinical research in China. Oncology Frontier had the privilege of interviewing Academician Xu, who shared insights on how Chinese scholars, by participating in international multicenter clinical trials, have not only gained experience in advanced research methods and management but also earned a prominent role on the global stage, contributing significantly to new treatment options for breast cancer patients worldwide.

Antibody-drug conjugates have expanded treatment options for patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, providing new options for those who have exhausted other treatments. Studies presented at the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress (September 13-17, Barcelona) aimed to expand the current use of ADCs to a wider patient population and explore novel ADCs in advanced or metastatic breast cancer, shedding light on targeting HER2 and HER3 to improve patient outcomes.

The final results of the KEYNOTE-522 trial confirm the potential of pembrolizumab to change patient management, though careful patient selection and toxicity monitoring are essential.

The strength of artificial intelligence (AI) in precision oncology lies in its ability to unlock the value of real-world data from millions of cancer patients. In recent years, AI has empowered oncologists to analyze large datasets from multiple sources, including next-generation sequencing and medical imaging, aiding in cancer characterization and offering a more comprehensive understanding of the disease (NPJ Precis Oncol. 2023;7:43).

On October 18-19, 2024, the CACA Integrative Gastric Cancer Conference was held in Wuhan, bringing together multidisciplinary experts from around the world to discuss the latest advances, standards, and research developments in gastric cancer diagnosis and treatment.During the conference, Oncology Frontier interviewed Dr. Xiangdong Cheng, Secretary of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. Professor Cheng shared insights into the role of the oral-gastric microbiome in gastric cancer and the progress of his research on clinical applications. Based on his extensive clinical experience, Professor Cheng also offered valuable career guidance for young physicians. Here are the highlights of the discussion:

On behalf of the organizing committee of the 2024 Chinese Congress on Holistic Integrative Oncology (CCHIO), we are very pleased to invite you to attend the 2024 CCHIO & 4th International  Congress of the Asian Oncology Society (AOS2024) . This esteemed event will be held from November 14-16, 2024, in the historic and culturally rich city of Xi'an, China, the birthplace of Holistic Integrative Medicine. The 2024 CCHIO is proudly sponsored by the China Anti-Cancer Association and co-organized by the Shaanxi Anti-Cancer Association, and the China Research Institute of Development Strategies of Holistic Integrative Medicine.

On October 18-19, 2024, the CACA Integrated Gastric Cancer Conference concluded successfully in Wuhan, gathering global authorities in gastric cancer to discuss the latest advancements, pioneering developments, and standardized protocols for gastric cancer treatment. During the event, the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association Gastric Cancer Professional Committee (CGCA) completed its transition, electing Dr. Lin Chen from Peking University International Hospital as the new Chairman.Oncology Frontier had the privilege to conduct an in-depth interview with Dr. Lin Chen at the conference to discuss the future priorities and development strategies for the CGCA.

The 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Annual Meeting is taking place from September 13-17 in Barcelona, Spain. Dr. Tao Sun from Liaoning Cancer Hospital is leading a prospective phase II study, which will be presented as a poster at the conference (Poster Abstract No. 387P). This study explores the efficacy and safety of the combination of anlotinib, penpulimab, and nab-paclitaxel as first-line treatment for advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The interim results demonstrate the significant advantages of this combination in terms of objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and progression-free survival (PFS), while also confirming its favorable safety and tolerability. As the research progresses, we anticipate that this innovative therapy could further extend patient survival and improve quality of life, offering hope to more TNBC patients.

Recently, the "Expert Consensus on Radiotherapy Combined with Immunotherapy for Unresectable Lung Cancer (2024 Edition)" was published, co-authored by Academician Jinming Yu of Shandong Cancer Hospital, Professor Ying Cheng of Jilin Cancer Hospital, and Professor Liangan Chen of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital. This publication marks a new level of scientific standardization in the multidisciplinary management of radiotherapy and immunotherapy.Oncology Frontier invited Dr. Yong Song from the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, one of the core reviewers of the consensus expert group, to share his insights on the consensus guidelines for managing adverse reactions from a respiratory perspective.

Four international experts will jointly chair the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), scheduled to take place in Barcelona from September 6 to 9, 2025. Here is an introduction to the incoming co-chairs who will guide the planning of WCLC 2025 and serve as ambassadors to the global attendees.