Summary of the 18th National Conference on Tumor Biotherapy & National Conference on Tumor Cell Therapy and Immunotherapy
2025-05-15
From April 25 to 27, 2025, the Chinese Society for Immunology (CSI) hosted the 18th National Conference on Tumor Biotherapy & the National Conference on Tumor Cell Therapy and Immunotherapy in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. The conference was co-organized by the CSI Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy Committee, the Tumor Biotherapy Committee of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, and the Chinese Journal of Tumor Biotherapy. Under the strategic guidance of honorary chairs Academicians Xuetao Cao, Zhigang Tian, and Yuzhang Wu, and with the joint efforts of conference chairs Professors Bo Huang and Yi Zhang, the event saw enhanced influence, attracting 563 registered representatives, plus invited speakers and 15 exhibitors, totaling nearly 700 attendees.On the afternoon of April 25, the conference featured four pre-conference forums, focusing on CAR-T therapy, antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), oncolytic viruses, and next-generation tumor immunotherapy. 12 experts engaged in heated academic discussions with attendees. These experts and their presentation topics are as follows:
• Associate Professor Haopeng Wang (ShanghaiTech University): Mechanisms of Immune Receptor Signaling and Clinical Applications
• Researcher Zonghai Li, (CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Limited): Strategies to Address Key Challenges in CAR-T Cell Drug Development
• Professor Yongxian Hu (First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine): Applications of Cellular Immunotherapy in Hematologic Malignancies
• Professor Tianlei Ying (Fudan University): Development of Novel Antibody-Drug Conjugates Based on Fully Human Nanobodies
• Dr. Zhican Qu, (NAAN Bio): ADC & RDC—Development and Applications of Antibody-Drug Conjugates and Radiopharmaceuticals
• Professor Lin Shen (Peking University Cancer Hospital): Clinical Practices and Insights in Gastrointestinal Tumor Cell Therapy
• Professor Yaohe Wang (Queen Mary University of London): Advances and Challenges in Oncolytic Virotherapy: From Preclinical Models to Clinical Translation
• Dr. Yang Wang (Binhe Biotech Co., Ltd.): Oncolytic Viruses: From Basic Research to Clinical Applications
• Professor Yongxiang Zhao (Guangxi Medical University): Leveraging Strengths and Targeting Tumors with Toxicity-Based Strategies
• Associate Researcher Jiadi Lü (Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences): Using Biomechanical Signals to Achieve Ex Vivo Expansion of Potent CAR-T Cells
• Professor Guideng Li (Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences): Enhancing T Cell Tumor Immunotherapy Through Metabolic Targeting
• Researcher Lairuan Huang (Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine): Neutrophils: The Power of ManyThe conference opening took place on April 26, hosted by CSI Secretary-General Prof. Limin Zheng. Honorary CSI Chairman, Academician Xuetao Cao, and CSI President, Prof. Bo Huang, delivered remarks highlighting China's tumor immunology advancements, clinical applications, and innovative technologies. They emphasized the importance of strengthening academic exchange, supporting national strategies, and fostering collaboration among researchers.After the opening ceremony, the conference officially transitioned into an exciting series of academic presentations. The first session featured invited keynote speeches led by the honorary conference chair, with 5 distinguished academicians presenting their latest research:
• Academician Xuetao Cao (Chinese Academy of Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences): New Targets and Therapeutic Strategies in Innate Immunity and Immunotherapy
• Academician Yuzhang Wu (Chinese Academy of Engineering, Army Medical University): From Understanding to Innovation—Decoding, Evaluating, Intervening, and Reconstructing Human Immunity
• Academician Zhinan Chen (Chinese Academy of Engineering, Air Force Medical University): Pathogen Receptors and Host Immune Homeostasis
• Academician Erwei Song (Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University): Deployment of Effector Immune Cells—The Hot and Cold Issues of Tumor Immunity
• Academician Zemin Zhang (Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peking University): Deciphering the Tumor Microenvironment through Data Integration
Following these presentations, 3 international experts from renowned research institutions shared their latest findings:
• Prof. Benoit Van den Eynde (Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research): Adrenergic Control of Anti-Tumor Immunity
• Prof. Qi-Jing Li (Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore): Deciphering Tumor Evasion: Insights from the Local Microenvironment and Systemic Interactions
• Prof. Enrico Lugli (Humanitas Research Hospital, Italy): Immunosuppression in the Tumor Microenvironment
These presentations provided valuable insights into tumor immunology, immune regulation, and clinical advancements, enriching the discussions among participants.On the afternoon of April 26, the conference featured invited keynote speeches by 7 senior experts, led by the President of the CSI. Their presentations covered advanced topics in tumor immunology and therapy:
• Prof. Bo Huang (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College): Power of Softness in Mechano-Onco-Immunology
• Prof. Yangxin Fu (Tsinghua University): Orchestrating Intratumoral DC-T Cell Immunity for Local and Distal Tumor Control
• Prof. Ruihua Xu (Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center): Innovations in Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunotherapy
• Researcher Chenqi Xu (Chinese Academy of Sciences, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science): Rational Design of CAR Molecules Based on Electrostatic Regulation
• Prof. Yiwei Chu (Fudan University): Antitumor Effects of CAR-TFoxp3 Cells
• Researcher Feifei Luo (Fudan University, Huashan Hospital): Regulation of STING Output Rebalancing Mechanisms and Drug Resistance Reversal Strategies
• Prof. Limin Zheng (Sun Yat-sen University): Myeloid Immune Cells and Tumor Tissue Microenvironment ShapingOn the morning of April 27, the joint conference chairs led an academic exchange session featuring 9 mid-career and young experts, who presented innovative research in tumor immunotherapy and cellular metabolism:
• Prof. Yi Zhang (First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University): Key Clinical Issues and Solutions in Tumor Cell Immunotherapy
• Prof. Lilin Ye (Army Medical University): CD8+ T Cell Memory and Cancer Immunotherapy
• Prof. Bo Zhu (Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University): Heterogeneity of Immune Response in Metastatic Organs and Strategies to Overcome It
• Researcher Qiang Zou (Shanghai Jiao Tong University): Tumor Immunity and Metabolism
• Researcher Guoliang Cui (University of Science and Technology of China): Lipid Metabolism in the Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Exhaustion
• Prof. Hongxia Wang (Fudan University Cancer Hospital): Targeting Tumor Stem Cells and Immune Evasion: From Basic Research to Clinical Applications
• Prof. Jin Hou (Naval Medical University): Exploring Novel Chemo-Immunotherapy Combination Strategies for Tumors
• Prof. Xiaohu Zheng (University of Science and Technology of China): Metabolic Mechanisms and Interventions for Dysfunctional NK Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment
• Prof. Ke Tang (Huazhong University of Science and Technology): Novel Antitumor Immunotherapy Strategies Based on Tumor Extracellular Vesicles
These sessions provided critical insights into tumor immunotherapy advancements, clinical applications, and emerging therapeutic approaches, fostering in-depth discussions among attendees.After a total of 36 engaging academic presentations, the conference hosted a Corporate Forum on the afternoon of April 27 as a strategic initiative to promote innovation and industry development. The forum invited biopharmaceutical companies specializing in tumor immunotherapy, investors, and principal investigators (PIs) for in-depth discussions. Participants openly exchanged insights on key challenges in business development, investment concerns, the transition from basic research to clinical applications, market demands, and new drug innovation. The discussions covered various aspects of the industry, fostering constructive dialogue among experts. Attendees recognized the conference’s role in facilitating academic exchange and improving communication across sectors, emphasizing the importance of the society’s position as a bridge between the scientific community and government. They expressed hope that the society could further address regulatory, financial, and policy challenges in the immunotherapy industry, identify common industry issues, and propose solutions—ultimately contributing to sustainable industry growth and advancing public health.
Read More