At the 2026 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) meeting in Madrid, a record‑setting 47 research projects from China were chosen for oral presentation, signaling a surge in the country’s influence on global cancer research. The selected studies span a wide range of cutting‑edge topics, from novel drug candidates that can cross the blood‑brain barrier to treat aggressive brain tumors, to innovative antibody‑drug conjugates targeting solid cancers, and groundbreaking bispecific antibodies aimed at EGFR and cMET pathways. Highlights include a first‑in‑human trial of the BRAF inhibitor HSK42360 for BRAF‑V600 mutant glioma, an immune‑checkpoint therapy for leptomeningeal spread of non‑small‑cell lung cancer, and a combination of a B7H3‑targeted ADC (Elfe‑D) with a PD‑L1/VEGF‑A bispecific antibody showing promise in advanced solid tumors. Researchers also presented AI‑driven tools designed to improve multidisciplinary decision‑making in cholangiocarcinoma and to enhance pre‑operative communication for prostate cancer patients. In supportive care, a multicenter trial demonstrated that recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) can reduce chemotherapy‑induced low platelet counts and protect heart health. Together, these findings underscore China’s growing role in pioneering therapies and technologies that could reshape cancer treatment worldwide.
Read moreAt this year’s ESMO meeting in Madrid, Chinese researchers showcased a wave of home‑grown cancer drugs that could reshape treatment across multiple tumor types. Highlights included Hanshan Pharmaceutical’s dual‑target antibody‑drug conjugate (HS‑20122) and Innovent Biologics’ EGFR/B7H3 bispecific ADC (IBI3001), both earning “Preferred Paper” status and signaling that China’s bispecific ADCs are now competing on the world stage. Another standout was Professor Lin Rongbo’s team from Fujian Cancer Hospital, presenting JMT108 – a novel fusion protein that pairs anti‑PD‑1 therapy with IL‑15 to boost the immune response. Their rapid oral presentation added a strong “Fujian voice” to the international dialogue. Beyond these, the conference featured 47 oral talks covering everything from CAR‑T cells and tumor vaccines to microbiome research and drug‑resistance mechanisms, underscoring the breadth of China’s oncology efforts. While only abstracts are available now, the full data will be revealed on‑site, leaving clinicians eager to see which innovations will truly change practice. Other notable sessions explored adaptive surgery after immunotherapy for lung cancer, precision EGFR‑targeted strategies using liquid biopsies, and AI‑driven pathology tools that improve lung‑cancer subtype classification. Together, these advances point to a new era of personalized, multi‑tumor cancer care driven by Chinese science.
Read moreAt this year’s European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) meeting in Madrid, Chinese researchers made a big splash with 47 oral presentations covering a wide range of innovative cancer therapies. Highlights include an AI‑driven system that helps doctors decide the best treatment plan for a rare bile‑duct cancer, and a trial using artificial intelligence to improve pre‑surgery conversations with prostate‑cancer patients. In supportive care, a multi‑center study tested a blood‑boosting drug that may protect patients from low platelet counts and heart damage caused by chemotherapy. New drug combos also stole the spotlight: a trio of agents (surufatinib, EP chemotherapy, and serplulimab) showed promising results for hard‑to‑treat neuroendocrine tumors, while a partnership of becotatug‑vedotin and pucotenlimab offered hope for aggressive thyroid cancers with EGFR mutations. Brain‑cancer researchers reported early success with a novel BRAF inhibitor that can cross the blood‑brain barrier, and another team explored immune‑checkpoint therapy for lung‑cancer patients whose disease has spread to the brain’s covering membranes. Emerging therapies rounded out the showcase, featuring a bispecific antibody‑drug conjugate (Elfe‑D) paired with a dual‑targeting antibody (pumitamig) and a new EGFR/cMET bispecific ADC (HS‑20122) in solid‑tumor trials. Together, these studies underscore China’s growing influence in global oncology research and its commitment to bringing cutting‑edge treatments to patients worldwide.
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