On May 23, 2024, the "International Symposium on CAR-T Therapy in Hematologic Malignancies" was successfully held. The event was co-hosted by Jiahui Medical Research and Education Group (J-Med), its NEJM YXQY, and Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital.

CAR-T cell therapy, a groundbreaking immunotherapy technique, has achieved remarkable success in oncology and become a major focus in the medical community. Aimed at "curing" hematologic malignancies, this innovative treatment sets higher standards for medical institutions and practitioners, demanding strong clinical capabilities, exceptional treatment skills, and comprehensive expertise.

Featuring medical experts from the U.S., Singapore, Malaysia, Russia, and China including Hong Kong and Taiwan, the symposium aimed to promote innovative CAR T-cell therapies in clinical practice. Key topics included oncology clinical trial design, the latest advancements in CAR-T therapy for hematologic malignancies, and the progress of CAR-T research and its application in China.

Dr. Vicky LEE, Director of Jiahui International Cancer Center (JICC) and Chief of Medical Oncology at JICC, graciously welcomed the experts. She highlighted Jiahui's commitment to introducing innovative cancer therapies, improving CAR-T therapy accessibility, and benefiting more cancer patients through academic exchanges, case sharing, and roundtable discussions.

Professor Rui-Ping XIAO, Associate Editor of NEJM and Dean of the College of Future Technology at Peking University, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in her address. She noted that in today's globalized world, cross-border academic exchanges and cooperation are crucial for advancing CAR-T therapy. Professor Xiao urged us not only to delve deep into our respective fields but also to broaden our perspectives, collaborate with colleagues worldwide, and collectively address the challenges of cancer treatment.

Contemporary Issues in Oncology Clinical Trial Design

Dr. Richard L. Schilsky, former Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of ASCO, as well as a member of the NEJM Editorial Board, highlighted contemporary challenges in oncology clinical trial design. He emphasized the critical importance of addressing these issues to enhance the efficiency and quality of clinical trials. Dr. Schilsky underscored the need for clinical trial designs to adapt to the rapidly evolving scientific landscape in oncology research while also considering the personalized needs of patients.

CAR-T Therapy in Hematologic Malignancies - The Latest Advances

Dr. Michael R. Bishop, Professor of Medicine and Director of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Program at the University of Chicago Medical Center, shared the latest advancements in CAR-T therapy for hematologic malignancies during the symposium. The discussion focused on the revolutionary breakthroughs and vast prospects of CAR-T therapy in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Experts at the conference engaged in in-depth discussions regarding the potential and challenges of this cutting-edge therapy, emphasizing the importance of continuous optimization and innovation.

CAR-T Research in Myeloma

Dr. Yi Lin, Director of the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center and Chair of the Cell Therapy Cross-Disciplinary Group, discussed the status, challenges, and opportunities of CAR-T therapy for treating myeloma at the symposium. She emphasized the need to address manufacturing complexity, cost control, and allocation of medical resources to advance CAR-T therapy effectively. Her insights underscored the importance of optimizing treatment outcomes while enhancing therapy accessibility and economic feasibility.

Research and Clinical Translation of Novel Cellular Immunotherapy

Dr. He Huang, President of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine conducted a detailed analysis of cellular immunotherapy advancements, with a focus on CAR-T and TCR-T therapies. He stressed clinical translation's significance, shared insights on translating research into treatment protocols, and discussed strategies to enhance safety, efficacy, and accessibility. Professor Huang's insights were valuable for attendees and offered direction for future research in cellular immunotherapy.

Panel Discussion

The panel discussion was chaired by Dr. Jianfei Zhao, Deputy Editor of NEJM YXQY. Renowned international experts such as Dr. Michael R. Bishop, Dr. Yi Lin, Dr. Bor-Sheng Ko from Taiwan University Cancer Center, Dr. Yok-Lam Kwong from Queen Mary Hospital, and Dr. Li Wang from Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine gathered to discuss topics including the safety and efficacy of CAR-T therapy, the challenges of integrating CAR-T as frontline treatment for lymphoma, and the role of biomarkers in predicting the efficacy of CAR-T therapy for patients with leukemia or lymphoma.

Progress of CAR-T Research in China (Myeloma)

Dr. Yongxian Hu, Deputy Director of the Bone Marrow Transplantation Center at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, shared the latest research advancements in CAR-T cell therapy for treating myeloma in China. Attendees showed great interest in Dr. Hu's presentation and expressed hope that China would achieve more breakthroughs in CAR-T therapy research and clinical application, bringing more hope to myeloma patients worldwide.

CAR-T Clinical Application Cases in China (Lymphoma)

Dr. Shiguang Ye from the Hematology Department of Tongji Hospital of Tongji University provided an in-depth discussion on the latest advancements in CAR-T cell therapy for treating lymphoma in China. Dr. Ye's presentation not only informed attendees about the cutting-edge developments in this field in China but also sparked extensive discussions on how to further optimize CAR-T therapy.

Dialogue Between Patients and Physicians on CAR-T Therapy Experiences

Dr. Vicky LEE, Director of Jiahui International Cancer Center (JICC) and Chief of Medical Oncology at JICC, and Dr. Kevin Tay from Singapore's Oncocare Cancer Centre engaged with patients and their families to discuss the latest advancements and practical outcomes of CAR-T cell therapy. Patients shared their treatment experiences in Jiahui, expressing high appreciation and gratitude for the therapy's effectiveness. Dr. LEE and Dr. Tay affirmed their commitment to advancing CAR-T therapy to further improve treatment outcomes and benefit more patients.

Dialogue 1: Standardization of the Comprehensive Management

The discussion, chaired by Dr. Vicky LEE, Director of Jiahui International Cancer Center (JICC) and Chief of Medical Oncology at JICC, included internationally renowned experts such as Dr. Ligen Liu from Tong Ren Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and Dr. Ng Soo Chin from Subang Jaya Medical Center. The experts engaged in an in-depth discussion on achieving standardized management throughout the clinical process, covering patient selection, lymphocyte depletion regimens, management during CAR-T therapy, and post-treatment follow-up.

Dialogue 2: Management of Adverse Reactions

This session, chaired by Dr. Vicky LEE, featured internationally renowned experts, including Dr. Changju Qu from the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Dr. Hua Yan from Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and Dr. Ho Kim Wah from Sunway Medical Centre. The experts engaged in an insightful and in-depth discussion on advanced topics in CAR-T cell therapy, particularly the choice of medications for managing neurotoxic reactions and the critical role of the ICU in handling adverse reactions following CAR-T cell infusion. Their discussion provided valuable references for clinical practice in this field.

Dialogue 3: Exploring the Accessibility of CAR-T Therapy

The final discussion was chaired by Dr. Vicky LEE. The session featured distinguished participants including Dr. Sergei Voloshin and Dr. Sergei Alekseev from Leningrad State Hospital, as well as executives from pharmaceutical companies and senior officials from insurance companies. The attendees engaged in a deep and forward-looking discussion on the prospects of CAR-T therapy and the disparities in accessibility of CAR-T cell treatment across different regions. This discussion not only shared the latest global research findings and practical experiences but also provided new ideas and opportunities for future cross-regional collaboration and technology dissemination.