Editor's Note: From September 25-29, 2024, the "27th National Clinical Oncology Conference and 2024 CSCO Annual Meeting," hosted by the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) and the Beijing Xisike Clinical Oncology Research Foundation, will be held in Xiamen. With the theme "Patient-Centered, Sharing the Future," the conference will showcase major research advancements and developments in the field both domestically and internationally. Over the past 20 years, CSCO has continuously led the development of clinical oncology in China, with many experts deeply involved in its growth, advancing their careers through this platform. Hematology Frontier has launched a special "Growing with CSCO" series in response to CSCO's call, inviting Chinese scholars to revisit past stories. In this issue, we have invited Dr. Jun Ma, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of CSCO and Director of the Harbin Institute of Hematology and Oncology, to share his touching stories of "growing with CSCO."

It is well-known that CSCO, originally the Chinese Clinical Oncology Collaborative Group, was established in 1997 in Beijing, strongly advocated by four eminent medical pioneers: Academician Mengchao Wu, Academician Yan Sun, Professor Zhongzhen Guan, and Professor Meiling Liao. They collaborated with many outstanding scholars, including myself, Professor Datong Chu, Professor Shukui Qin, and Professor Yilong Wu, who had returned to China in the 1980s. The founding ceremony was attended by Minister Yu Peng from the Ministry of Health and many senior officials.

CSCO was established with the aim of accelerating clinical trials in China, focusing particularly on innovative drug development in oncology. At that time, China faced significant challenges in participating in international new drug research and clinical trials, mainly limited to generic drug studies and marginal involvement in international clinical research.

Under the visionary leadership of the four founders, CSCO emerged as a collaborative platform with a core mission to promote independent new drug development in China, foster the growth of biotechnology, and help Chinese anti-cancer drugs reach the global stage, actively participating in and leading international trends in clinical oncology trials.

Since its inception, CSCO has gone through 27 years, growing from a fledgling organization into a thriving society. Although this journey seems long, it has passed in the blink of an eye. Throughout this period, CSCO has witnessed remarkable transformation, leading the way in China’s oncology research and driving its rapid development. Today, Chinese scholars are making their voices heard louder at international conferences such as ASCO, ESMO, the International Lymphoma Coalition, and the Union for International Cancer Control. China’s research contributions are particularly notable in areas like liver cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and nasopharyngeal cancer, accounting for over 50% of findings in these fields. This reflects the unique charm and strength of “Chinese Red” and the “Chinese Style.” The ASCO president has highly praised CSCO’s rapid development, noting that in just over 20 years, it has grown to become the world’s second-largest clinical oncology society after ASCO, with considerable influence and contributions.

It is also worth mentioning that CSCO has established strong “sister” relationships with many international societies, including ESMO, ASCO, and peer organizations from Japan, Singapore, Korea, and various European countries. Additionally, CSCO maintains close collaborations with international bodies such as the International Society for Immunology and the International Society for Hematology. This signifies that the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology has secured a significant position on the global stage, and its development journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

Personally, since returning to China in 1982 and being part of CSCO’s founding, I feel deeply honored to have witnessed its growth and helped elevate it to new heights. CSCO is not just an academic organization but also a home for me, a place I cherish deeply. I will continue to move forward hand in hand with CSCO, writing a more glorious chapter together and dedicating all my efforts to the field of oncology research that I love.

Dr. Jun Ma

Chief Physician, PhD Supervisor Director, Harbin Institute of Hematology and Oncology Chairman, Supervisory Board, Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Vice Chair, Asian Clinical Oncology Society Chair, Leukemia Expert Committee, CSCO Group Leader, Lymphoma Specialty Project, Capacity Building and Continuing Education Center, National Health Commission Editor-in-Chief, Leukemia & Lymphoma Journal Former Chairman, CSCO Former Vice Chair, Hematology Branch, Chinese Medical Association