Editor’s Note: From April 14 to 17, 2024, the 50th annual meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) was grandly held in Glasgow, UK. This year marks the 50th anniversary of EBMT, and the event brought together leaders in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and over 6,000 hematology experts from around the world. Together, they reviewed the remarkable achievements in the field of blood and marrow transplantation over the past 50 years and explored future prospects for patient management. At the conference, our magazine’s onsite reporters specially invited Professor Jun Ma, a leading figure in hematology from the Harbin Institute of Hematological Oncology, to recount the history of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and share his profound insights from attending the EBMT conferences for over four decades.
Professor Jun Ma at EBMT: 42 Years of Dedication
This year coincides with the 50th anniversary of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), featuring 72 sub-sessions and attracting over 6,000 hematology colleagues from 89 countries. In 2023, a delegation led by Academicians Huang Xiaojun and Professors Jun Ma, Wu Depei, and Wang Jianxiang attended the 49th EBMT annual meeting in France. Professor Jun Ma mentioned that China’s participation this year exceeded that of 2023, and they were warmly welcomed by Professor Anna Sureda, the chair of this year’s conference.
Professor Jun Ma recalled his first attendance at the EBMT annual meeting in 1982, where he and only one other Chinese scholar, Academician Lu Daopei, were present. At that time, Jun Ma was a spirited student studying abroad. He deeply felt the substantial gap between China’s capabilities in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and those of leading countries worldwide.
Professor Jun Ma noted that the focus back then was primarily on autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and also included allogeneic transplants from related donors, targeting younger patients. However, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was a significant issue post-transplant, and managing and preventing GVHD were major challenges. Today, besides ASCT, there has been development in allogeneic stem cell transplants, haploidentical transplants, unrelated donor transplants, umbilical cord blood transplants, and cellular therapy, which are now widely implemented globally.
50 Years of EBMT: The Evolution of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Since its inception in 1974, EBMT has marked a 50-year history that also represents the exploration of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from its early challenges to its rapid advancements today. In 1960, Dr. Donald Thomas in the USA performed the first successful bone marrow transplant, pioneering the field of stem cell transplantation. For this achievement, he received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1990, becoming the first clinical hematologist to win a Nobel Prize.
Professor Jun Ma stated that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been a forerunner in cell and targeted therapies. Without the success of the first transplant, there would be no curative treatments for various hematological malignancies like leukemia and lymphoma. Even today, the primary curative treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and certain genetic immunodeficiencies are still based on stem cell transplants, heralding a new era and milestone in targeted and curative therapies for these diseases.
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Review of the Development of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in China
The first hematopoietic stem cell transplant in China took place in 1964, performed by the now renowned hematologist and transplant expert, Academician Lu Daopei. He was also the pioneer of China’s first allogeneic stem cell transplant. Subsequently, Professors Zhang Bolong and Yan Wenwei performed the first autologous stem cell transplants in Beijing and Tianjin, respectively. Academician Huang Xiaojun from Beijing People’s Hospital completed China’s first haploidentical allogeneic stem cell transplant. Since 2002, Academician Huang Xiaojun has progressively refined the haploidentical transplant system based on G-CSF and ATG to induce immune tolerance, proposing the internationally recognized “Beijing Protocol.”
Currently, the development of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in China has accelerated rapidly. According to statistics, the number of transplant centers in China significantly increased in 2019, and from 2009 to 2021, the number of stem cell transplants surged. Annually, China performs about 20,000 allogeneic stem cell transplants, approaching the levels of Europe and the United States.
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Innovations in Hematology Lead the Advancement of Modern Cancer Treatments
Professor Jun Ma has participated in the EBMT annual meetings since 1982, marking 42 years of involvement. He notes significant progress in the treatment of hematological cancers, particularly advancements in stem cell transplantation and cellular immunotherapy, which have ushered in a new era of clinical cures for patients. From the success of the first stem cell transplant to the first small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) for treating chronic myeloid leukemia, the first monoclonal antibody drug—anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody for treating acute GVHD post-transplant, the first anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (Rituximab) achieving a 70% cure rate in treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, and the current antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), all these originated from treatments for hematological malignancies. Professor Jun Ma summarized that for sixty years, targeted therapies, immunotherapies, CAR-T cell therapies, and stem cell transplant therapies in the field of hematological cancers have been at the forefront of oncological treatments. Without the advancements in treating hematological cancers, the state of modern cancer treatments today would not exist.
Finally, reflecting on his biggest insights from this year’s EBMT meeting, Professor Jun Ma emphasized that our country must continue on its own path of development while also actively seeking collaboration with international academic organizations. Without relentless international engagement and academic exchange, the flourishing development and future prospects of our country’s hematological oncology field would not be possible.
