On April 12, 2025, the “Best of St. Gallen 2025” session, co-hosted by the Breast Cancer Committee of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO BC) and the St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference (SGBCC), was successfully held during the National Breast Cancer Conference in China.Following the successful “Voice of China” session led by Chinese experts at last month’s SGBCC conference, this marks the first time that the SGBCC has held a dedicated academic session in China. The event signifies a new chapter in bilateral academic exchange, highlighting the growing synergy between Eastern and Western approaches to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Opening Remarks from the Chair: A Shared Vision for Progress
In opening address, Professor Zefei Jiang—Conference Chair, President-Elect of CSCO, and professor at the Chinese PLA General Hospital extended a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to the experts from SGBCC and all participants attending the session.
Reflecting on the journey since 2011, when Chinese scholars first began participating in the St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference, Professor Jiang highlighted the growing depth of collaboration between China and SGBCC. What began as a process of learning and adaptation has evolved into one of mutual inspiration and innovation. China has not only absorbed the essence of SGBCC’s academic insights to enrich its national guidelines but has also increasingly contributed original ideas and evidence-based practices, bringing the wisdom of Chinese oncology to the global stage.
Professor Michael Gnant, Chair of the 2025 SGBCC Conference and Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Medical University of Vienna, emphasized that the global landscape of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment has entered an era of precision and personalization. He acknowledged the deepening collaboration between CSCO and SGBCC—from the recent “Voice of China” session at the SGBCC meeting to the current “Best of SGBCC” session at the National Breast Cancer Conference in China—as a powerful driver for developing international consensus and sharing innovative outcomes.
Professor Gnant also highlighted the remarkable progress made by Chinese scholars in recent years, particularly in the fields of immunotherapy and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for breast cancer. He praised China’s emergence as a key contributor to global breast cancer research and treatment.
Bridging Borders, Advancing Science Together
The “Best of SGBCC” session featured a distinguished panel of academic chairs from across Asia, underscoring the spirit of international collaboration. Invited experts included Professor Masakazu Toi from the Cancer Institute Hospital of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR) and Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, Professor Feng Jin from The First Hospital of China Medical University, Professor Yongmei Yin from Jiangsu Province Hospital, and Professor Zhigang Yu from The Second Hospital of Shandong University.
Together, these esteemed scholars formed a multinational academic leadership team, ensuring the smooth and productive progression of each segment and fostering high-level scholarly exchange throughout the session.
Academician Binghe Xu from the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, delivered a comprehensive overview of the major clinical challenges currently limiting the application of immunotherapy in oncology. He reviewed key advancements in breast cancer immunotherapy research and proposed future directions for overcoming resistance—specifically, strategies to convert immunologically “cold” tumors into “hot” ones and to identify patient subgroups most likely to benefit from treatment.
Academician Erwei Song from Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, traced the evolution of cancer immunotherapy from fundamental research to clinical application. Grounded in the mechanisms of immune-based treatment, he provided an in-depth analysis of potential biomarkers for predicting therapeutic efficacy, emerging immunotherapy targets, and prospective avenues for the future development of immune-based cancer treatment.
Professor Zhimin Shao from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center provided a detailed presentation on the molecular subtypes of breast cancer and their corresponding precision treatment strategies. In recent years, building upon the traditional molecular classification system, his team at Fudan University developed the “Fudan Classification,” a novel approach that enables more refined and individualized breast cancer treatment. This breakthrough has garnered significant attention from breast cancer experts worldwide.
Professor Michael Gnant, Chair of the 2025 SGBCC Conference and Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Medical University of Vienna, traveled across continents to present the newly updated 2025 St. Gallen International Consensus on Early Breast Cancer. He provided in-depth interpretation of the key updates, delivering cutting-edge international perspectives that will help shape the future of early breast cancer management.
Professor Sibylle Loibl from Goethe University Frankfurt, and Chair of the 2025 SGBCC Conference, provided a comprehensive overview of global research progress in anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). She shared insights into how the advancement of anti-HER2 ADCs is reshaping the landscape of HER2-targeted diagnosis and treatment and explored the potential future directions for ADC development in breast cancer care.
Following the presentations, participating experts engaged in an in-depth discussion on the latest updates and ongoing controversies within the St. Gallen International Consensus on Early Breast Cancer, with a particular focus on how these recommendations can be integrated into clinical practice in China. This dialogue not only deepened academic exchange between Chinese and international experts but also contributed to advancing breast cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies.
East Meets West, Advancing Together
The “Best of SGBCC” session has become a flagship platform for annual dialogue between Chinese and international breast cancer experts. It not only fosters meaningful integration between global clinical consensus and local Chinese practice, but also facilitates in-depth exchange on key topics such as the development of immunotherapy, precision medicine strategies, and standardized application of ADC therapies.
As the mutual exchange mechanism between CSCO BC and SGBCC continues to strengthen, this collaboration will further accelerate the global dissemination of China’s innovations in breast cancer treatment, while supporting the localized adoption of international guidelines. Together, these efforts aim to contribute powerful solutions from the field of breast oncology to the broader vision of a shared global community of health.
