China's Heavy Ion Therapy Makes Its Way to Ajitai Health City

China's Heavy Ion Therapy Makes Its Way to Ajitai Health City

On August 29, a delegation promoting the high-quality development of China's heavy ion therapy and the green healthcare model arrived at Ajitai Health City in Ordos.

Dr. Nagong Bilige and other responsible comrades of Ajitai Health City watch the promotional video of Wuwei Heavy Ion Center

Accompanied by Nagong Bilige and Sengulai, responsible persons of Ajitai Health City, the delegation observed the overall construction of Ajitai Health City. As a large-scale complex integrating medical treatment, rehabilitation, and wellness, Ajitai Health City’s "mind-body therapy + Mongolian medicine" model is unique in China.

Dr. Nagong Bilige and other responsible comrades of Ajitai Health City attend the special report on the fifth anniversary of Wuwei Heavy Ion Center

During the symposium, President Ye Yancheng systematically reviewed the journey of China's heavy ion therapy technology from independent research and development to clinical application, elaborated on its unique advantages in precise targeting, and presented breakthrough achievements in tumor treatment over the past five years with detailed data. Both sides reached a further consensus in the exchange of ideas on mind-body healing: modern tumor treatment should not stop at the elimination of lesions but should also focus on the restoration of physiological functions and the rebuilding of psychological well-being.

Nagong Bilige expressed high recognition and profound appreciation, stating: "I had long heard of heavy ion technology as a cutting-edge technology in the global field of tumor treatment. I never expected such an advanced medical achievement to be deeply rooted in the land of Wuwei in the northwest, and to have delivered such impressive results in just five years. From technological implementation to clinical effectiveness, every step has been solid and forceful. What is particularly remarkable is that the hospital’s adherence to the 'comprehensive, whole-life-cycle' treatment philosophy resonates highly with the mind-body synergistic healing concept advocated by Ajitai Health City. The harmony between cutting-edge technology and humanistic warmth transcends the value of the technology itself. Heavy ion therapy, with its proven efficacy, has lit a light of hope for cancer patients worldwide."

After ten years of construction and five years of operational practice, the Heavy Ion Center of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital has successfully operated China's first and second heavy ion tumor treatment systems. In the "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan," the hospital has anchored its core values as "compassion, harmony, and health," with the mission of "gathering global cutting-edge technologies to universally benefit cancer patients worldwide" and the vision of "becoming a global destination for patients to overcome cancer."

Building on the convergence of global intellectual resources, the Heavy Ion Center of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital has continuously broken through in technological innovation, achieving numerous "firsts domestically and internationally." It is the only hospital in the world operating two heavy ion treatment systems, forming a powerful dual-center synergistic structure; it leads the world in the number of single-fraction treatments completed within one day; it pioneered the precise heavy ion treatment technology under respiratory control; it was the first globally to complete bladder cancer treatment under precise bladder capacity control; it pioneered the use of surgically placed spacer pads between organs and tumors for single-session heavy ion treatment; it developed China’s first 360-degree rotating and lifting ion radiotherapy chair; it was the first globally to complete heavy ion treatment for multiple cases of cardiac tumors; and it was the first globally to implement heavy ion therapy combined with comprehensive, whole-life-cycle physical and mental health management. These breakthroughs have not only filled multiple international gaps but also transformed China's heavy ion therapy from a "follower" to a "leader."

Moreover, the hospital has long-term engagements with Professor Tatsuaki Kanai of Gunma University School of Medicine, Japan; Professor Hirohiko Tsujii, former director of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences; Professor Jörg Hauffe, former director of the Munich Proton Therapy Center (RPTC), Germany; Professor Olga; Professor Yee-Min Jen, former chairman of the Taiwan Radiation Oncology Committee; Professor Wu Jiaming, a renowned radiation physicist at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan; and the team of Professor Wang Junjie, chairman of the Chinese Medical Association Radiation Oncology Branch. Through clinical mentoring and technical guidance, they have laid a solid foundation for building a globally competitive cancer treatment system. Recently, the hospital also brought in Professor Yasuo Yoshioka of the Radiation Oncology Department at the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research and Professor György Kovács, director of the Lübeck Brachytherapy Center and educational program director at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy, for long-term work.

From 7 types of diseases during the 2018 clinical trial period to now over 50 types of tumors receiving precise treatment; from an annual treatment volume of 200 cases to nearly 1,000 cases, with an average annual growth rate of 17.5%—this reflects the comprehensive advancement of China's high-end medical service capabilities and technical precision. As one of the most advanced tumor treatment methods in the 21st century, heavy ion therapy boasts unique advantages such as minimal radiation damage to healthy tissues, short treatment cycles, and high control rates. Since its official launch in March 2020, the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center has treated over 2,200 patients from across the country, covering more than 50 types of diseases. The average survival time has nearly doubled compared to traditional photon radiotherapy. Patients have come from all provinces and cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, as well as from countries such as Australia, Belgium, South Korea, Malaysia, Canada, Vietnam, and Thailand, demonstrating China's leading position in the global high-end medical equipment sector.

From the mission of the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center to "universally benefit cancer patients worldwide" to the practice of "mind-body simultaneous healing" at Ajitai Health City, this cross-border integration is not only a microcosm of regional health and wellness industry upgrading but also a vivid portrayal of the dual-driven approach of "technological innovation + humanistic care" in China's medical and health sector.

In the future, as exchanges deepen, both sides are expected to explore more cooperation possibilities in related fields, contributing to the development of the regional health and wellness industry and the advancement of the Healthy China initiative.

Preliminary Review: Zhang Jie, Ma Shuqian

Final Review: Liu Wenyu