The warm summer in Harbin was matched by a surge of medical wisdom. The 8th Hematology Academic Conference of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), hosted by the Harbin Institute of Hematology and Oncology and Peking University Cancer Hospital, was held from July 26 to 28, 2024, in Harbin. This grand event brought together many top experts and scholars from both domestic and international fields, showcasing the latest research results and clinical experiences in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Hematology Frontier had the privilege of inviting Dr. Tiejun Gong from the Harbin Institute of Hematology and Oncology to share his unique insights and experiences from this conference, highlight the key expert guidelines, and discuss the standout content of the Northeast Hematologic Oncology Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment session.Hematology Frontier: The The 8th CSCO Hematology Academic Conference was held grandly in your hometown of Harbin, and you also chaired several sessions. Could you share your special impressions and takeaways from this conference?
Dr. Tiejun Gong: First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to all the colleagues who have supported and followed the The 8th CSCO Hematology Academic Conference. We hold this grand event annually, and this year was no exception. For this conference, we specially organized multiple sessions covering various areas of hematologic malignancies, including leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma, as well as sessions on innovative drugs, immunotherapy, and patient care. These sessions not only showcased the latest advancements in hematologic oncology treatment but also reflected our ongoing spirit of exploration and breakthroughs in this field.
Hematologic oncology is one of the rapidly evolving and cutting-edge fields within oncology, so each of our advancements has garnered widespread attention and anticipation in the oncology community. Throughout the various sessions at this conference, we presented not only the latest international treatment advancements but also shared the achievements of domestic centers in both basic research and clinical practice. We hope that through these exchanges and discussions, we can strengthen the connection between academic research and clinical trials, further promoting the development of hematologic oncology treatment.
We hope that every participant can gain substantial knowledge from this conference, enhancing their professional expertise. At the same time, we also aim to inspire more innovative thinking and practical exploration through such academic exchanges, ultimately bringing more effective treatment options to patients with hematologic malignancies. Once again, I extend my thanks to everyone for their attention and support.
Hematology Frontier: At this conference, you witnessed the release of expert guidelines and discussed them with many experts. Could you briefly introduce the core content and significance of these guidelines?
Dr. Tiejun Gong: At this conference, the CSCO Multiple Myeloma Expert Committee led the development of the “Clinical Application Guidelines for Carfilzomib in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma (2024 Edition),” based on the latest evidence from evidence-based medicine and authoritative guidelines. These guidelines have not only been widely recognized by domestic experts in the field of myeloma but also provide crucial references for clinical practice.
Firstly, the guidelines introduce the resistance mechanisms of Carfilzomib. The new proteasome inhibitor (PI) Carfilzomib (CFZ) has a different target from the first-generation drug Bortezomib (BTZ); Carfilzomib irreversibly and selectively binds to the β5 subunit, inhibiting proteasome activity. Therefore, for multiple myeloma (MM) patients who are resistant to Bortezomib, the new generation PI Carfilzomib not only overcomes this resistance but also shows efficacy when combined with other drugs, such as immunomodulators (IMiDs), CD38 monoclonal antibodies, and nuclear export inhibitors. This combination extends the survival of MM patients.
Secondly, the expert group made recommendations on the specific regimens, doses, and treatment courses of Carfilzomib for different MM patients. Whether in newly diagnosed MM (NDMM), relapsed/refractory MM (R/RMM), or in the treatment of extramedullary MM and plasma cell leukemia (PCL), we presented Carfilzomib-based combination regimens. Notably, the guidelines also discuss potential adverse reactions associated with Carfilzomib use, such as cardiovascular events and renal or hepatic impairment.
Furthermore, detailed instructions are provided on pre-treatment assessments and full-course management during Carfilzomib use.
Through these guidelines, we aim to assist clinicians in the scientific and rational use of Carfilzomib in MM treatment, thereby enhancing the convenience and effectiveness of its clinical application.
Hematology Frontier: At this conference, you also chaired a discussion on “Challenges and Opportunities of ADC Drugs in ALL Treatment.” Could you share the latest developments in ADC drugs for ALL treatment?
Dr. Tiejun Gong: In recent years, significant progress has been made in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), primarily due to breakthroughs in immunotherapy. The “three pillars” of ALL treatment—bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) drugs, antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy—have markedly improved the remission rates and survival outcomes of ALL patients.
At this conference, we specifically formulated drug guidelines for ADC treatment in ALL, titled “Guidelines for the Clinical Application of Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Hematologic Malignancies (2023 Edition),” and engaged in extensive discussions on this topic. The guidelines cover the standardized use of ADC drugs, ensuring their safety and efficacy in clinical practice. We also shared experiences from various centers on combining ADC drugs with chemotherapy regimens or transplant treatments.
Additionally, the discussions emphasized the management of potential adverse events related to ADC drugs and the implementation of preventive measures before treatment to ensure drug safety. Given the relatively high cost and limited accessibility of ADC drugs, we also discussed how to apply these drugs clinically and how to minimize drug dosages to achieve optimal efficacy. This discussion aimed to balance treatment efficacy with economic burden, benefiting more patients.
Finally, numerous collaborative groups and centers expressed their commitment to close cooperation and the formulation of joint strategies, presenting research results to promote the application of ADC drugs in ALL treatment. These efforts will help accumulate more clinical data, optimize treatment regimens, and ultimately benefit more patients. Through these in-depth discussions and exchanges, we hope to provide more treatment options and hope for ALL patients, driving continued progress in this field.
Hematology Frontier: The Northeast Hematologic Oncology Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment session was undoubtedly a highlight of this conference. Could you briefly introduce the key content of this session and how it will enhance the standardized diagnosis and treatment of hematologic malignancies in the Northeast region?
Dr. Tiejun Gong: Under the leadership of Director Ma Jun, the establishment of the Northeast Hematologic Oncology Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment session aims to improve the professional level of hematologic malignancies treatment and thereby contribute to the overall economic development of the Northeast region.
This session brought together many top experts in the field, providing specialized standardized diagnosis and treatment training for primary hospitals. Although the conference discussed many cutting-edge advancements, what primary hospitals need most is standardized treatment knowledge that can be translated into clinical practice. Through such training, patients can receive more effective control and standardized treatment in frontline care, thereby slowing disease progression and reducing the need for second-line treatments.
Once patients enter second-line treatment, not only does the risk of complications increase significantly, but the overall treatment costs also rise. Therefore, the original intention of establishing the Northeast Hematologic Oncology Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment session is to provide standardized treatment for primary hospitals, enabling patients to achieve prolonged remission in frontline treatment, thus ensuring that fewer patients need to enter second-line treatment later. This strategy not only benefits patients more widely but also reflects our ongoing commitment to serving primary hospitals. We hope that this session will continue to play its role, bringing broader benefits to patients in the Northeast region.
Dr. Tiejun Gong
Deputy Director, Harbin Institute of Hematology and Oncology Member, Youth Committee of the Hematology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association (9th and 10th sessions) Member, Hematology Physician Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association Standing Member, Hematologic Oncology Professional Committee of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association Standing Member, Hematological Disease Translational Research Professional Committee of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association Vice Chairman, Youth Committee of the Anti-Leukemia Lymphoma Alliance of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Secretary, Leukemia Expert Committee of CSCO; Member, Lymphoma Expert Committee of CSCO Standing Member, Hematology Organization Branch of the Chinese Hospital Association Member, Oncology Expert Committee on Capacity Building and Continuing Education of the National Health Commission Corresponding Editor, Chinese Journal of Hematology; Editorial Board Member, Leukemia & Lymphoma Deputy Director, Hematology Branch of Heilongjiang Medical Association Deputy Director, Lymphoma and Myeloma Professional Committee of Heilongjiang Medical Doctor Association Vice Chairman, Anti-Leukemia Lymphoma Alliance of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), Heilongjiang Province
