The 2024 CACA Integrative Gastric Cancer Conference was held in Wuhan from October 18-19, bringing together domestic and international experts across multiple disciplines in gastric cancer. Oncology Frontier had the privilege to interview Dr. Kaixiong Tao, Executive Chair of this year’s conference and Professor from Wuhan Union Hospital of China. Prof. Tao discussed the core principles of integrative medicine and highlighted the conference's major themes. His profound clinical expertise and insights offered invaluable guidance for advancing gastric cancer treatment.

From October 24-27, 2024, the 9th Academic Symposium of the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (IHPBA) China Chapter took place in Wuhan. In the field of liver cancer adjuvant therapy, Dr. Minshan Chen from the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center presented new treatment strategies. Oncology Frontier invited Prof. Chen for an in-depth interview, where he shared insights on this topic. Prof. Chen highlighted that traditional postoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is becoming outdated, as it shows limited efficacy in addressing large liver tumors and residual micro-lesions. In contrast, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), validated through a decade of clinical research, has proven highly effective for advanced liver cancer. HAIC not only shrinks tumor size for resectability but also shows promising results for large tumors and patients with vascular invasion. Prof. Chen emphasized that in liver cancer treatment, patient survival and quality of life should be prioritized over the focus on recurrence alone.

Liver cancer is a major global health threat, and ongoing exploration into treatment strategies remains a focal point in medical research. From October 17 to 19, 2024, top experts and scholars in the field of liver cancer gathered in Toronto, Canada, for the 18th International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) Annual Meeting. This conference brought together leading researchers from around the world to discuss the latest progress and future directions in liver cancer treatment. Oncology Frontier invited Dr. Guohong Han, Executive Dean of the Digestive Hospital at Xi’an International Medical Center Hospital, to provide an insightful interpretation of the conference highlights.

From October 24 to 27, 2024, the 9th Academic Symposium of the Chinese Division of the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (IHPBA) was held in Wuhan. Experts discussed pressing issues and innovations in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, exchanging diagnostic and treatment experiences, promoting new ideas and techniques, and advancing the management of hepatobiliary diseases in China. During the conference, a new professional organization, the Liver Tumor Committee of the IHPBA Chinese Division, was formally established, with Dr. Feng Shen from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital) appointed as the committee’s director. Oncology Frontier invited Dr. Feng Shen for an in-depth interview, where he highlighted the committee’s commitment to uniting research efforts, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and addressing the many challenges posed by liver cancer. Among these challenges, advancing multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) capabilities, particularly for complex diseases like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), is paramount. Looking forward, the committee aims to broaden collaboration, foster research breakthroughs, and develop precise and effective treatment strategies, creating a robust defense line in liver cancer prevention and treatment.

Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) is a validated treatment for liver cancer, yet the influence of the immune microenvironment on treatment response and survival remains unclear. At the 18th International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) Annual Conference, a recent study shed light on the complex relationship between the immune microenvironment in liver cancer patients prior to SIRT and its impact on treatment response and survival. Oncology Frontier invited Dr. Lin Zhang, from the Hepatobiliary Interventional Radiology Department at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, to provide an expert analysis. With a detailed breakdown of the data and expert interpretation, this study offers valuable insights into the role of the local immune state in liver cancer treatment, paving the way for personalized and combination therapy strategies.

From October 25 to 28, 2024, Wuhan hosted an enriching academic exchange – the 9th Academic Symposium of the Chinese Chapter of the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (CCIHPBA), alongside the symposium commemorating the 110th birth anniversary of Academician Fazu Qiu and a tribute to Academician Yunyi Liu. Oncology Frontier, invited Prof. René Adam, current President of IHPBA from AP-HP Paul Brousse Hospital in Paris, France, and Academician Xiaoping Chen, President of the CCIHPBA from Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, to share insights on IHPBA's mission and the establishment and development of its Chinese chapter.