Under the leadership of Dr. Jun Zhu, the Lymphoma Department at Peking Cancer Hospital has become a frontrunner in lymphoma drug development. This year, what innovative achievements from the team will illuminate the treatment path for lymphoma patients? How have they showcased Chinese expertise on the international stage? Additionally, how will the opportunities and challenges China faces in new drug development be transformed into driving forces to enhance lymphoma treatment standards? At the 12th Lu Daopei Hematology Forum, Hematology Frontier had the honor of conducting an in-depth interview with Dr. Jun Zhu. During the discussion, Professor Zhu not only reviewed the illustrious journey of China's lymphoma drug development but also, with his profound insights and forward-looking perspective, envisioned the limitless possibilities in this field's future. Let us delve into Professor Zhu’s remarkable analysis and unique insights on the development of lymphoma drugs in China.

Hematology Frontier: Your team at Peking Cancer Hospital has conducted numerous clinical studies in the field of lymphoma. Could you share the latest research outcomes from this year? Additionally, can you discuss the experience and insights your team has gained through these studies, particularly from the perspective of China or Peking Cancer Hospital?

Dr. Jun Zhu: Over the past decade, China has made significant progress in the field of anti-cancer drug development, especially in the area of lymphoma drugs. The medical community across the nation has worked together to promote extensive clinical trials of new lymphoma drugs. As a pioneer in this field, the Lymphoma Department at Peking Cancer Hospital has been deeply involved in the research and application of these drugs, collaborating closely with colleagues nationwide to advance multiple clinical research projects. Through this process, we have not only cultivated a lymphoma specialist team with an international perspective and professional expertise but also successfully implemented a series of clinical trials that adhere to international standards. This ensures the authenticity, reliability, and traceability of clinical data, allowing the results of Chinese clinical trials to withstand the rigorous scrutiny and recognition of international peers.

One of the most notable achievements is that the drug development projects led by our department have crossed national borders, receiving approval from relevant U.S. authorities and successfully entering the U.S. market. This milestone signifies that China’s lymphoma drug development has reached international standards, marking a qualitative leap forward. Therefore, beyond the successful clinical application of new drugs, the broader significance lies in how this journey has greatly enhanced the overall capability of China’s clinical trial teams, laying a solid foundation for the continued development of China’s pharmaceutical innovation.

Regarding specific accomplishments in lymphoma drug development, since the approval of Chidamide, a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), as the first domestically developed Category 1.1 new drug in China in 2014, the pace of new drug development in the field of lymphoma treatment has accelerated. In recent years, various innovative drugs, including small molecule JAK inhibitors, bispecific antibodies, and CAR-T cell therapies, have emerged, significantly expanding treatment options for lymphoma patients in China and bringing new hope and benefits to them. These achievements not only reflect the remarkable enhancement of China’s pharmaceutical innovation capabilities but also highlight our country’s prominent position in global cancer drug development.

Hematology Frontier: What do you see as the advantages and challenges for China in developing new lymphoma drugs? How should these new drugs be utilized to better enhance overall capabilities in future disciplinary and hospital development?

Dr. Jun Zhu: For a long time, the field of lymphoma diagnosis and treatment in China lagged significantly behind that of developed countries in Europe and the United States. However, over the past two decades, this field has seen substantial improvement, encompassing advancements in diagnostic technology, diversification of treatment methods, and increased adherence to treatment guidelines. These advancements have been driven by extensive exchange and learning between domestic and international medical communities, as well as the continuous efforts and exploration within China’s healthcare system.

Particularly important is that the clinical trials and rapid approval of new lymphoma drugs have provided Chinese patients with timely and effective treatment options. These drugs not only employ strategies tailored to local application but have also accumulated rich clinical experience through practice, greatly benefiting a wide range of patients. With the increasing variety of new drugs and the accelerating pace of their approval, alongside the shortening introduction period for foreign new drugs and the rapid improvement of China’s domestic drug development capabilities, lymphoma patients now have more treatment choices, and their chances of survival and cure have significantly increased, which is undoubtedly encouraging.

At the same time, we must remain aware that despite the significant progress, there is still a gap between China and developed countries in lymphoma diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, given China’s vast geographical area and the uneven distribution of medical resources and development levels, promoting and strictly implementing standardized diagnostic and treatment principles nationwide, strengthening supervision and improvement, and ensuring that more patients receive homogeneous, high-quality medical services have become pressing issues that demand our attention.

In summary, with the continuous advancement of drug development, the sustained improvement of treatment outcomes, and the strengthening of medical team construction, we have every reason to believe that the treatment prospects for Chinese lymphoma patients will become even brighter, with their quality of life and dignity of life being more solidly guaranteed.

Hematology Frontier: What do you think should be the direction and focus of China’s future lymphoma drug development? How can we balance innovation with patient needs during the drug development process? How can we develop more personalized treatment plans that cater to the specific needs of Chinese patients?

Dr. Jun Zhu: China, with its vast population, has a large number of disease patients, including a significant number of lymphoma patients, covering various types such as T-cell lymphoma, aggressive B-cell lymphoma, and extranodal lymphoma. Given this situation, how to closely align with China’s national conditions, especially focusing on the actual needs of the elderly patient population, and develop anti-cancer drugs that are both affordable and effective, has become a pressing medical and social issue. This requires us to not only pursue innovation during the drug development process but also pay attention to economic factors, ensuring that the price of new drugs is reasonable so that patients, especially those with heavy financial burdens, can afford them, thus achieving true “universal healthcare.”

At the same time, promoting the organic integration of new drug development and clinical application requires the establishment of a scientific, safe, and effective application system to summarize and promote lymphoma treatment experiences that are in line with China’s realities. During this process, it is crucial to enhance the public’s, especially patients’, awareness and understanding of clinical trials for new drugs. Through scientific education, patients should be made aware of the scientific nature and necessity of clinical trials, helping them realize that participating in clinical trials is not only a positive attitude towards personal health management but also a shared responsibility to advance medical progress and benefit a broader patient population.

Moreover, considering China’s vast geographical area and uneven distribution of medical resources, effective measures are needed to promote the dissemination and accessibility of high-quality medical resources, ensuring that patients in grassroots and remote areas can also receive standardized lymphoma diagnosis and treatment services. This includes strengthening the training of grassroots doctors, optimizing the allocation of medical resources, and establishing referral and teleconsultation mechanisms to comprehensively elevate the nationwide level of lymphoma diagnosis and treatment.

Improving the overall survival rate and cure rate of Chinese lymphoma patients is not only a positive response to the Healthy China 2030 strategy but also a direction for joint efforts by all medical professionals and patients. In this journey, doctors and patients should become comrades-in-arms, enhancing mutual understanding and support to form a united front. Only with widespread social attention and participation, through close cooperation and tireless efforts by both doctors and patients, can we gradually overcome numerous challenges and move towards a brighter future.

Expert Profile

Dr. Jun Zhu

• Party Secretary, Peking Cancer Hospital
• Director of Internal Medicine, Director of Lymphoma Department
• Vice President of the Council of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO)
• Vice President of the Supervisory Board of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology
• Vice President of the Beijing Sisco Clinical Oncology Research Foundation
• Chair of the Lymphoma Expert Committee of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology
• Vice President of the Beijing Anti-Cancer Association
• President of the Beijing Cancer Rehabilitation Association
• Vice Chair of the Oncology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association
• Head of the Hematologic Oncology Group of the Oncology Expert Committee on Capacity Building and Continuing Education of the National Health Commission