Editor’s Note: The 31st Urology Academic Conference, organized by the Chinese Medical Association and the Chinese Urological Association (CUA), took place from September 19 to 22, 2024, at the National Convention Center in Tianjin. The conference brought together leading urology experts to showcase the latest clinical research and surgical advancements. After the event, Urology Frontier invited Academician Xu Zhang, Chair-Elect of the Chinese Urological Association and Director of the Urology Department at the Chinese PLA General Hospital, to discuss conference highlights, recent advancements in PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy for prostate cancer, and the future development direction of the CUA.

01

Urology Frontier: As the Chair-Elect of the Chinese Urological Association, could you share the key highlights from this year’s conference?

Academician Xu Zhang: This year’s CUA Annual Meeting was full of excitement and attracted the attention of numerous experts and scholars. I believe the conference had several noteworthy features:

1. Large-scale participation: The event brought together over 5,000 experts, scholars, and professionals from the urological field, showcasing its broad influence and appeal within the specialty.
2. Well-structured organization: The conference’s framework was meticulously planned, with smooth operations on-site, providing an efficient and professional platform for academic exchange. This ensured seamless information dissemination and in-depth knowledge sharing.
3. Diverse and rich content: The agenda covered a range of cutting-edge technologies and the latest research findings, including but not limited to artificial intelligence (AI), remote diagnosis and treatment technologies, and the latest clinical innovations and scientific breakthroughs. The presentations not only reflected current research hotspots in urology but also forecasted potential future developments.

02

Urology Frontier: You presented a report on the “New Advances in PSMA-Targeted Radioligand Therapy for Prostate Cancer”. Could you elaborate on the patient groups that benefit most from this therapy and its clinical application?

Academician Xu Zhang: In China, the incidence and number of prostate cancer cases continue to rise rapidly, and a significant proportion of patients progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), with some advancing to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Once mCRPC develops, treatment options are quite limited. However, with the results of studies on 177Lu-PSMA-617, we now have an effective treatment option for these patients.

PSMA-617 binds to PSMA receptors on the membrane of tumor cells, enabling radiopharmaceuticals to accumulate in cancer cells. These are then internalized into the cells, where the beta radiation emitted by 177Lu exerts its tumor-killing effects. Several studies, including the VISION and PSMAfore trials, have shown that for mCRPC patients—whether they have previously undergone chemotherapy and novel endocrine therapy or not—177Lu-PSMA-617 can provide significant benefits in terms of radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS). As 177Lu-PSMA-617 becomes more accessible in China, we expect it to further improve survival outcomes and quality of life for prostate cancer patients in China.

03

Urology Frontier: You and your team have extensive experience in urological oncology. Could you share your vision for the future development of the Chinese Urological Association?

Academician Xu Zhang: Over nearly 40 years of development since the reform and opening up, China’s urological field has made significant progress in closing the gap with advanced global standards, and in some specific areas, we have even surpassed them. However, from a broader perspective, there is still a gap in overall strength. To achieve President Xi’s goal of making China a global scientific and technological powerhouse by 2035, we must also aim to build a world-class urological department.

To this end, we need to continue supporting the work of Professor Jian Huang, the current Chair of the Chinese Urological Association, while also prioritizing the cultivation of young physicians. This includes promoting comprehensive progress from basic research to clinical translation and enhancing clinical skills. Only by doing so can we ensure continuous innovation and improvement in urology.

Academician Xu Zhang Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Director, Urology Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital Member, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Chair-Elect, Chinese Urological Association Chair, Urology Division, Beijing Medical Association Deputy Director, China Human Organ Donation and Transplantation Management Center Chair, Laparoscopy and Robotic Surgery Division, Chinese Anti-Cancer Association Member, Central Health Protection Committee Expert Group Director, National Key Laboratory for Trauma and Surgery of the Armed Forces Chief Scientist, National High Technology Research and Development Program and Major Logistics Research Projects of the Armed Forces Recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars and the State Science and Technology Progress Award Founder of China’s Urological Laparoscopy and Robotic Surgery Techniques, and recipient of the State Council Special Allowance Editor-in-Chief of Bladder and Journal of Minimally Invasive Urology