US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association Research Articles

Breakthrough cancer medicine and its impact on novel drug development in China: report of the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA) and Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Joint Session at the 17th CSCO Annual Meeting.

The US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA) teamed up with Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) to host a joint session at the17th CSCO Annual Meeting on September 20th, 2014 in Xiamen, China. With a focus on breakthrough cancer medicines, the session featured innovative approaches to evaluate breakthrough agents and established a platform to interactively share successful experiences from case studies of 6 novel agents from both the United States and China. The goal of the session is to inspire scientific and practical considerations for clinical trial design and strategy to expedite cancer drug development in China. A panel discussion further provided in-depth advice on advancing both early and full development of novel cancer medicines in China.

The US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and the National Foundation for Cancer Research recognize five young Chinese investigators with the 2014 USCACA-NFCR Scholar Awards

To facilitate and strengthen collaborations among cancer researchers and physicians in the United States and China, the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA) and the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) have established the Scholar Excellence Award for the USCACA-NFCR Scholar Exchange and Fellowship Program in Basic, Translational, and Clinical Studies. From 2010 to 2013, 14 young Chinese researchers and physicians have been recognized by the award for their outstanding achievements in cancer research accomplished both during their training in the United States and after their returning to China[1]–[3]. This year, 5 young scientists were selected on the basis of their significant contributions in translational cancer research. Here, we are proud to present these outstanding winners of the 2014 USCACA-NFCR Scholar Award: Dr. Yan Cheng, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha; Dr. Guoyan Liu, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin; Dr. Fengju Song, Department of Epidemiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin; Dr. Yanxia Shi, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou; Dr. Suling Liu, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei. The USCACA and NFCR presented the award to these 5 awardees during the 17th Annual Meeting of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) held in Xiamen, September 17-21, 2014. The ceremony of the 5th USCACA-NFCR Scholar Excellent Award was held at Sheraton Xiamen on September 19, 2014. The 5 winners were invited to contribute a brief summary introducing their academic background, highlighting their achieve-ments in cancer research, and outlining their current research plans in China. All awardees have received excellent postdoctoral training under their US mentors who are active cancer researchers and USCACA members. The discoveries and findings from these talented young scientists have not only significantly improved our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the causes or progression of human cancers but also shed light on novel approaches to improve treatment and care for cancer patients. Our ultimate goal is to conquer cancer by encouraging the translation of experimental findings into novel cancer therapies, fostering collaborations in clinical cancer drug development, and sharing expert knowledge and medical practices between China and the United States.

Genomics in personalized cancer medicine and its impact on early drug development in China: report from the 6th Annual Meeting of the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA) at the 50th ASCO Annual Meeting.

The 6th Annual Meeting of the United States Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA) was held in conjunction with the 50th Annual Meeting of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) on May 30, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois, the United States of America. With a focus on personalized medicine, the conference featured novel approaches to investigate genomic aberrations in cancer cells and innovative clinical trial designs to expedite cancer drug development in biomarker-defined patient populations. A panel discussion further provided in-depth advice on advancing development of personalized cancer medicines in China. The conference also summarized USCACA key initiatives and accomplishments, including two awards designated to recognize young investigators from China for their achievements and to support their training in the United States. As an effort to promote international collaboration, USCACA will team up with Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) to host a joint session on “Breakthrough Cancer Medicines” at the upcoming CSCO Annual Meeting on September 20th, 2014 in Xiamen, China.

Our DREAM of defeating cancer: a summary of the 3rd Guangzhou International Symposium on Oncology

Every 6 seconds, someone dies from cancer somewhere in the world. Every 13 seconds, a cancer patient dies in China. Cancer is currently the biggest threat to life around the world and a critical burden to China. To address this problem, it is especially important for scientists and physicians to remain abreast of cutting edge research and progress in the treatment of this disease. The 3rd Guangzhou International Symposium on Oncology was held on November 7-9, 2013, in Guangzhou, China (Figure 1). The symposium was jointly organized by Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC), the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA), the Guangdong Provincial Anti-Cancer Association, and the Chinese Journal of Cancer (CJC). The presentations covered several predominant types of cancer and progress in basic, translational, and clinical researches. The symposium revealed that there is still long way to go to reach our dream of defeating cancer, even though there has already been an enormous effort into research. Here, we provide highlights of the presentations. Figure 1. Dr. Wei Zhang is giving the opening speech.

Four outstanding young Chinese scientists received the 2013 Scholar Award from the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and the National Foundation for Cancer Research

To facilitate and strengthen collaborations among cancer researchers and physicians in the United States and China, the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA) and the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) have established the Scholar Excellence Award for the USCACA-NFCR Scholar Exchange and Fellowship Program in Basic, Translational, and Clinical Studies. Since 2010, 10 young Chinese researchers and physicians have received the award for their outstanding achievements in cancer research accomplished while in the United States, as well as their continuing efforts in eradicating cancer after their return to China. This year, USCACA and NFCR selected 4 young scientists for their excellence in basic or clinical cancer research. Here, we are proud to introduce these 4 winners of the 2013 USCACA-NFCR Scholar Excellence Award: The ceremony of the fourth USCACA-NFCR Scholar Excellent Award in Guangzhou, China, November 9, 2013. Dr. Yan Sun at the Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin; Dr. Weiwei Yang at the Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai; Dr. Chenfang Dong at the Department of Pathology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou; and Dr. Haizhong Feng at the Stem Cell Research Center, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai. The awards were presented to these 4 awardees at the 3rd International Symposium on Oncology held at Baiyun Conference Center in Guangzhou during November 7-9, 2013. We have invited each of these four awardees to contribute a short essay summarizing their achievements in cancer research. As illustrated in their essays, these outstanding young scholars have received excellent training under their US mentors who are USCACA members. These talented young scientists have not only made impressive discoveries in the mechanisms underlying the causes or progression of human cancers, but also discovered new approaches for improving treatments for cancer patients. Our ultimate goal is to expedite novel cancer drug development by stimulating the translation of laboratory findings into novel cancer therapies, fostering collaborations in clinical cancer drug development, and sharing expert knowledge and medical practices between China and the United States.

Translational Research in Oncology Research & Development and Its Impact on Early Development in China: report of the 5th Annual Meeting of the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA) at 2013 AACR Annual Meeting

In April 2013, the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA) held its 5th annual meeting in conjunction with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2013 Annual Meeting in Washington DC. The USCACA executive committee reported activities and programs and highlighted the partnership and collaboration between USCACA and other major organizations. The key initiatives and programs of USCACA included 1) USCACA-TIGM Esophageal Cancer Program that funds translational research of esophageal cancer prevention and treatment at the Xinxiang Medical University in Henan province, China; 2) the USCACA-NFCR-AFCR Scholarship Program, which has supported 10 young outstanding Chinese cancer researchers and will award 4 fellowships at the Guangzhou International Symposium on Oncology in November this year; 3) USCACA-Hengrui Training Program for Early Phase Clinical Research, which has supported the training of a Chinese scholar at two major cancer centers in the US; and 4) USCACA has continued its partnership with the Chinese Journal of Cancer, which has reached significant international impact.

USCACA hosted symposiums at the 7th CACA meeting and the 15th CSCO meeting in Beijing

In September 2012, the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA) hosted two symposiums in Beijing. The USCACA hosted the first joint session at the 7th annual meetings of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (CACA), themed on “Collaboration between the US and China in Cancer Research.” Six experts from the United States and China presented their latest work on basic and translational cancer research. During this symposium, 5 young Chinese scholars, returnees after their training in the United States, were honored the “AFCR-USCACA Scholarships Award.” The USCACA hosted a second symposium during the 15th annual meeting of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), focused on the “US-China Collaboration in Cancer Drug Clinical Development.” An international delegation of oncology experts presented the innovative clinical trial strategies and discussed the biomarkers for cancer early detection and clinical trials, targeted therapy, and new drug development. The Oncology Drug Clinical Development and Safety Evaluation Committee was also launched to promote an innovative environment and to provide a collaborative platform for anti-cancer drug development in China.

Five outstanding young Chinese scholars received the Third Scholar Award from the Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR) and the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA)

Chinese researchers and physicians are being increasingly recognized for making significant contributions that advance biomedical research, including cancer research, in both China and the world. To facilitate and strengthen collaborations among cancer researchers and physicians in the United States and China, the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA) and the US National Foundation for Cancer Research (USNFCR) have established the Scholar Excellence Award for the USNFCR-USCACA Scholar Exchange and Fellowship Program in Basic, Translational, and Clinical Studies. Since 2010, 5 young Chinese researchers and physicians have received the Scholar Excellence Award for their outstanding achievements in cancer research performed while in the United States, as well as their continuous contributions to eradicate cancer after their return to China. This year, the USCACA joined the Asian Fund for Cancer Research, Ltd. (AFCR) in selecting 5 promising individuals for their excellence in basic or clinical cancer research. Here, we are proud to introduce the 5 winners of the 2012 AFCR-USCACA Scholar Excellence Award: Dr. Xiuli Bi at the College of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang; Dr. Binghui Li in the Laboratory of Cancer Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin; Dr. Lina Zhang in the Department of Breast Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin; Dr. Yi Zhang in the Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu; Dr. Yuhua Zhao in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan. We have invited these awardees to contribute a short essay that summarizes their achievements in cancer research. As illustrated in their essays, these outstanding young scholars have received excellent training under their US mentors. They have not only made impressive discoveries in the mechanisms underlying the causes or progression of human cancers but also discovered new approaches for improving treatment for cancer patients. Our ultimate goal is to expedite novel cancer drug development by stimulating the translation of lab discoveries into novel cancer treatments, fostering collaborations in clinical cancer drug development, and sharing expert knowledge and medical practices between China and the United States.

Bridging the US and China together to conquer cancer: report of the 4th Annual Meeting of the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA)

A global collaborative effort is pivotal to conquer cancer. Themed “Emerging role of China in global clinical development of novel anti-cancer drugs”, the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA) held its 4th annual meeting in Chicago on June 2, 2012, in conjunction with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting to further bridge the US and China together to outsmart cancer. Although a young organization, USCACA has made significant contributions to this goal in the 3 years since its inception through extensive collaboration with academic organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, and governmental agencies. USCACA has engaged various stakeholders in developing translational and personalized medical strategies to facilitate new anti-cancer drug development and clinical trials in China. USCACA has initiated and implemented the USCACA-National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) scholarship to encourage overseas returnees to continue cancer research in China. USCACA announced the Hengrui-USCACA scholarship to fund clinical trial staff from China to conduct the observation of early oncologic clinical trials in the US. During the annual meeting, distinguished panelists and the audience discussed the following critical topics: (1) oncologic translational research and early development capabilities in China; (2) novel chemical entity development and partnership with Chinese companies; and (3) Chinese participation in global anti-cancer drug development. USCACA will continue to promote collaborations among cancer researchers and clinicians in the US and China by engaging in more frequent communications and joint efforts across fields, disciplines, and countries, diligently working together toward curing and eliminating cancers.

Outsmarting cancer: an international brainstorm in Guangzhou

Cancer is the most deadly disease in the United States. In developing countries such as China, cancer is increasingly prevalent as a cause of death. The "war against cancer" that was initially declared in the United States has become a global war that requires an alliance of world-wide cancer researchers. As part of such an effort, the Second Guangzhou International Symposium on Oncology was held on May 20-22, 2011, in Guangzhou, China. The symposium was jointly organized by the Guangdong Anti-Cancer Association, the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA), the Chinese Journal of Cancer, and the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. More than 1000 cancer researchers attended, including speakers from China, the USA, Finland, England, Japan, and Spain. The presentations covered most cancer types and both basic and clinical research. Recurring themes of the presentations were that cancer is "smart", cancer is complex, and cancer cells communicate actively. Outsmarting cancer is clearly a challenging task that needs multipronged attacks on multiple targets and on the communication systems among cancer cells. Presenters and attendees left the conference with a sense of urgency in the need for more communication among cancer researchers in fighting this disease. In this article, we summarize highlights from a number of presentations. Many of the presenters have published or will publish reviews and research articles in the Chinese Journal of Cancer, which has become an important international forum in disseminating exciting cancer research progress.