The 19th St. Gallen Breast Cancer Conference (SGBCC 2025) recently concluded in Vienna, and once again, voices from China stood out on the global stage. Dr. Yongmei Yin from Jiangsu Provincial Hospital made history as the first Chinese female expert to join the St. Gallen International Consensus Panel on Early Breast Cancer, actively participating in the formulation of the consensus and highlighting China’s significant contributions to global breast cancer research. During the specially organized “Voice of China” session, Professor Yin delivered a keynote titled “Chinese Clinical Trials Transforming Breast Cancer Practice: From Local Innovation to Global Impact”, in which she presented landmark clinical research findings across breast cancer subtypes and showcased the strength of China’s clinical research. Oncology Frontier invited Professor Yin for an exclusive interview during the conference to hear her reflections on her debut as a voting panel member, key insights from her “Voice of China” presentation, and future plans for collaboration between SGBCC and CSCO.Oncology Frontier: This was your first time participating in SGBCC as a member of the international consensus panel and taking part in the voting process. Could you share your impressions of this experience? How did it differ from your past engagements with SGBCC?
Dr. Yongmei Yin:Being the first Chinese female expert to join the St. Gallen International Consensus Panel on Early Breast Cancer, I feel deeply honored—but even more so, a strong sense of responsibility. Being invited to participate in the formulation of this consensus is not only a sign that China’s breast cancer treatment standards have reached international recognition, but also reflects the growing importance placed on the voices of female experts in global academic discourse.
Historically, the development of the international breast cancer consensus was dominated by experts from Europe and North America. However, in recent years, Chinese research has gained increasing recognition, and more Chinese experts have joined the discussions—some even leading the direction of treatment strategies for various breast cancer subtypes. This marks an important shift, showcasing that China is now firmly part of the global conversation in breast cancer care.
In the consensus development process, we strictly follow the principles of evidence-based medicine. At the same time, as a female expert, I also bring perspectives more aligned with female patient-centered care—for instance, when it comes to decisions around breast-conserving surgery or hormone therapy, we emphasize treatment strategies tailored to patients’ needs and quality of life. Participating in the consensus panel is a milestone not just in my personal career, but also for female medical professionals more broadly. I look forward to seeing more Chinese women join the international stage, making their voices heard and helping to shape the future of breast cancer treatment through the “Voice of China.”
Oncology Frontier: In the “Voice of China” session, you highlighted the impact of Chinese clinical trials on breast cancer practice. In your view, how has China’s research contributed to global advances in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment?
Dr. Yongmei Yin:In my presentation titled “Chinese Clinical Trials Transforming Breast Cancer Practice: From Local Innovation to Global Impact,” I focused on how Chinese experts have led original clinical research in drug development, significantly influencing not only domestic clinical practice but also the global treatment landscape.
In the field of HR+ breast cancer, I discussed the DAWNA series of studies led by Academician Binghe Xu from the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. These trials evaluated the CDK4/6 inhibitor dalpiciclib in combination with endocrine therapy and provided crucial evidence supporting this approach for patients with HR+/HER2− breast cancer.
In HER2-positive breast cancer, I presented clinical studies on the HER2-targeting small molecule TKI pyrotinib, including its use in second-line, first-line, and neoadjuvant settings. These studies have reshaped the treatment landscape for both advanced and early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer.
For triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), I focused on two key trials involving PD-1 inhibitors. The TORCHLIGHT study, led by Professor Zefei Jiang from the General Hospital of the PLA, demonstrated the significant benefit of combining toripalimab with nab-paclitaxel in the first-line treatment of advanced TNBC. Another important study was the CamRelief trial, led by Professor Zhimin Shao from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, which showed that adding camrelizumab to chemotherapy significantly improved pathologic complete response (pCR) rates when used as neoadjuvant therapy for early or locally advanced TNBC. These two trials provide robust evidence supporting the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in both early and advanced TNBC, solidifying their position in the treatment paradigm.
I also shared the progress in Trop-2–targeted ADC therapy, including the OptiTROP-Breast01 trial, in which I served as co-lead principal investigator alongside Academician Binghe Xu. This study evaluated SKB264 (luconestrant-ADC) in patients with heavily pretreated recurrent or metastatic TNBC. The results showed superior outcomes compared to physician’s choice chemotherapy (TPC), supporting SKB264’s clinical benefit in this setting. These findings were instrumental in advancing the approval of SKB264 for TNBC and were recently accepted for publication in Nature Medicine.
We are now eagerly awaiting the results of another trial led by Professor Zhimin Shao evaluating SKB264 in the first-line treatment of advanced TNBC, as well as a planned global multicenter study exploring SKB264 in combination with pembrolizumab in the same setting. Looking ahead, we hope to see more original Chinese clinical data published and to collaborate with international experts on high-quality trials that bring Chinese innovations to breast cancer patients worldwide.
Oncology Frontier: With the growing number of innovative drugs and original research emerging from China, how can Chinese scholars further enhance the global impact of their academic achievements and elevate their international voice?
Dr. Yongmei Yin: To strengthen the global impact and academic voice of Chinese researchers, I believe we must actively learn from leading international experts in the field. While China’s pharmaceutical innovation capabilities are steadily improving, it’s equally important for our younger generation of scholars and clinical researchers to engage in deep, meaningful exchanges with global peers. Through this interaction, we can absorb their rigorous scientific mindset, learn their advanced clinical trial design methodologies, and understand their nuanced approaches to data interpretation.
Furthermore, we can draw from the tools of translational medicine to extract more practical, clinically applicable insights from research findings. Overall, the current academic environment is both open and inclusive, which provides an excellent opportunity for Chinese scholars to raise their academic presence and voice on the international stage. I am hopeful that, in this climate, Chinese researchers will continue to grow and contribute to global progress in oncology.
Oncology Frontier: In 2024, under your initiative, the “SGBCC China Tour” sparked vibrant academic exchanges between Chinese and international experts. During the SGBCC conference, the collaborative “Voice of China” session between SGBCC and CSCO drew wide attention. What are your expectations and plans for deeper cooperation between SGBCC and CSCO in the future?
Dr. Yongmei Yin: SGBCC is a globally recognized and authoritative academic event dedicated to early breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, held biennially since its inception in 1978. The conference adheres to evidence-based medicine principles and is committed to advancing early breast cancer care worldwide through expert consensus. It provides rigorous, science-backed clinical guidance for the benefit of patients across the globe.
In recent years, the involvement of Chinese experts such as Professor Zefei Jiang, Professor Zhimin Shao, and Academician Binghe Xu in the St. Gallen Consensus Panel has reflected China’s growing influence and contributions to breast cancer care on the international stage.
With the support of Professor Michael Gnant, Chair of the SGBCC, and Professor Zefei Jiang, we launched the inaugural “SGBCC China Tour” in October 2024 in Nanjing, aiming to enhance academic exchange between Chinese and international scholars and disseminate the SGBCC consensus across China. The tour subsequently expanded to other major cities, including Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing, concluding successfully in the capital.
During these events, leading experts from across China gathered to discuss the latest advancements in breast cancer treatment and to emphasize the value of multidisciplinary collaboration. Following this year’s SGBCC conference, we plan to continue this momentum by organizing additional academic activities in cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, and Nanjing, where we will share the latest updates and insights from the conference with domestic experts and use them as a reference for early breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in China. We look forward to broadening this initiative in the coming years.
Professor, Chief Physician, Doctoral Supervisor
Vice President, Jiangsu Provincial Hospital (First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Maternal and Child Health Hospital)
Vice President, Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO)
Vice President, Beijing Xisike Clinical Oncology Research Foundation
Expert Panel Member, 19th St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference
Deputy Chair and Secretary General, CSCO Breast Cancer Expert Committee
Deputy Chair, Breast Cancer Committee of the Precision Medicine Branch, Chinese Medical Doctor Association
Standing Committee Member, Breast Cancer Committee, Chinese Anti-Cancer Association Chair, CSCO Patient Education Expert Committee
Lead Author, CSCO Breast Cancer Guidelines Recipient of the “Leading Pioneer Award” in the 2021 and 2023 China Biopharmaceutical Innovation Rankings
