China's Heavy Ion Radiotherapy Technology Achieves Leapfrog Development, Contributing Chinese Soluti

China's Heavy Ion Radiotherapy Technology Achieves Leapfrog Development, Contributing Chinese Solutions to Global Oncology Treatment

—Promotion Conference on High-Quality Development of China's Heavy Ion Radiotherapy and Green Medical Service Model Successfully Held in Changchun, Jilin Province

On September 4, the Promotion Conference on High-Quality Development of China's Heavy Ion and Green Medical Service Model was successfully held in Changchun, Jilin Province.

The meeting was chaired by Nie Peng, Deputy President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital. At the event, all participants jointly watched a short introductory video on heavy ion therapy; Professor Liu Shixin, Chairperson of the Radiation Oncology Branch of Jilin Provincial Medical Association, delivered an opening address; Dong Weijun, a member of the leadership and management team of China Southern Airlines Group Cultural Media Co., Ltd., spoke on behalf of the company; Jiang Wei, Project Leader of China Life Insurance’s "Million Medical + Green Life Channel for Heavy Ion Treatment" (Wuwei Branch), provided a detailed introduction to the "Million Medical Green Channel for Heavy Ion Treatment" project; Chen Suhua, National Sales Director of China Southern Airlines Group Cultural Media Co., Ltd., presented the "High-Quality Aviation Medical Service" initiative; and Ye Yancheng, President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, delivered a keynote report titled "Five-Year Progress in Heavy Ion Facility Construction and Clinical Applications," comprehensively sharing the achievements in heavy ion therapy infrastructure development and practical experiences in its clinical use.

The meeting was chaired by Nie Peng, Deputy President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital.

Professor Liu Shixin, Chairperson of the Radiation Oncology Branch of Jilin Provincial Medical Association, delivered an address.

Dong Weijun, a member of the leadership and management team of China Southern Airlines Group Cultural Media Co., Ltd., delivered a speech on behalf of the company.

Jiang Wei, Project Leader of China Life Insurance's "Million Medical + Green Life Channel for Heavy Ion Treatment" Project (Wuwei Branch), provided a detailed introduction to the "Million Medical Green Channel for Heavy Ion Treatment" initiative.

Chen Suhua, National Sales Director of China Southern Airlines Group Cultural Media Co., Ltd., presented the "High-Quality Aviation Green Medical Service" project.

Ye Yancheng, President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, delivered a keynote report titled "Five-Year Progress in Heavy Ion Facility Construction and Clinical Applications."

Expert Q&A and Journalist Q&A

In recent years, under the technical support and scientific guidance of the Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China's heavy ion therapy technology has achieved leapfrog development through scientific breakthroughs, clinical practice, and model innovation, transitioning from technological breakthroughs to inclusive implementation.

As a core practical platform for heavy ion therapy in China, the Heavy Ion Center of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, after a decade of construction and five years of clinical practice, has established multiple "firsts at home and abroad," marking China’s transition from a "follower" to a "leader" in this field: it is the world’s only hospital operating two heavy ion treatment systems, forming a pattern of coordinated development between two centers; it has globally pioneered precision heavy ion therapy under ventilator control, bladder cancer treatment with precise bladder volume regulation, and single-session treatment involving surgically placed isolating pads between organs and tumors; it developed China’s first 360° rotating and lifting ion radiotherapy chair, further enhancing treatment precision and patient comfort; it became the world’s first to complete multiple cases of heavy ion therapy for cardiac tumors and implement heavy ion therapy combined with comprehensive, full-life-cycle physical and mental health management. These achievements have not only expanded the boundaries of heavy ion therapy but also realized an integrated "treatment + rehabilitation" service model.

Meanwhile, the center’s clinical capabilities have continued to advance: from treating 7 disease types during its clinical trial phase in 2018 to now exceeding 50 types of precision oncology treatments; annual treatment volume has surged from 200 cases to nearly 1,000, with an average annual growth rate of 17.5%. As of now, over 2,200 patients have received treatment at the center, including those from all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across China (including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao), as well as multiple countries such as Belgium, Australia, South Korea, Canada, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. This has continuously enhanced the international recognition and influence of China’s heavy ion therapy technology.

To continuously improve its technical proficiency and diagnostic/treatment capabilities, Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital has long established an international expert collaboration platform to integrate global top-tier medical expertise: it has successively recruited internationally renowned experts, including Professor Tatsuaki Kanai from the Department of Medicine, Gunma University (Japan); Professor Hiroyuki Tsujii, former President of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (Japan); Professor Jörg Hauffe and Professor Olga, former Presidents of the Munich Proton Therapy Center (RPTC, Germany); and Professor Yee-Min Jen, former Chairperson of the Radiation Oncology Branch of Taiwan, China.

Recently, the hospital has further recruited Professor Yasuo Yoshioka  from the Radiation Oncology Department of the Japan Cancer Research Center and Professor György Kovács (George Kovacs), Director of the Ribeck Brachytherapy Center (Germany) and concurrently Director of Educational Programs at the University of the Sacred Heart (Italy), to station at the hospital for long-term work. Through clinical teaching, technical guidance, and other forms of collaboration, these efforts have laid a solid foundation for building an internationally competitive oncology treatment system, ensuring that China’s heavy ion therapy technology remains aligned with the global cutting edge.

To address the challenge of "high costs of high-end medical treatments" and ensure that heavy ion therapy truly benefits the public, China has innovatively established a "medical + insurance" support model and an "aviation + medical access" service system: In collaboration with insurance companies such as China Life Insurance, it launched the "Million Medical + Green Channel for Heavy Ion Treatment" project. Under this initiative, individuals who purchase the insurance are eligible for a total coverage of 5.55 million yuan (including 4.05 million yuan for comprehensive medical insurance and 1.5 million yuan for heavy ion medical insurance) when receiving heavy ion treatment and other comprehensive therapies, with one-stop medical expense reimbursement provided by the insurance company. This project has already benefited a large number of patients undergoing heavy ion and comprehensive medical treatments.

By partnering with China Southern Airlines Group Cultural Media Co., Ltd., it has developed the "High-Quality Aviation Green Medical Service" to address transportation convenience for patients seeking medical care across regions, enabling patients in remote areas to efficiently access cutting-edge medical resources.

Professor Dong Lihua, Director of the Radiotherapy Department of the First Hospital of Jilin University and Doctoral Supervisor; Professor Cheng Guanghui, Director of the Radiotherapy Department of China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University and Doctoral Supervisor; Professor Wang Jianfeng, Deputy Director of the Second Radiotherapy Ward, Doctoral Supervisor, and Chief Physician; Li Qingchun, Deputy Chief Physician in the Department of Gastrointestinal and Colorectal Surgery and Young Member of the Particle Therapy Branch of the China Anti-Cancer Association; Chen Tong, Deputy Chief Physician in the Department of Gastrointestinal and Colorectal Surgery and Member of the First Integrated Pelvic Tumor Professional Committee of the China Anti-Cancer Association; Sun Tao, from the Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery of Jilin Provincial People's Hospital and Young Member of the Fourth Breast Cancer Professional Committee of the Jilin Provincial Anti-Cancer Association; Professor Yin Chunzhu from the Department of Colorectal and Abdominal Oncology Surgery of Jilin Provincial Cancer Hospital; Cui Shunyu, Deputy Director of the First Breast Surgery Department; Meng Fanxu, Deputy Director of the Radiotherapy Department; as well as relevant responsible personnel from Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, also attended the meeting. Additionally, 20 mainstream media outlets, including Jilin Morning Post, Changchun Evening News, Changchun Headlines Network, and China News Service, provided full coverage of the event.

From technological breakthroughs to the development of full-chain people's livelihood support, the leapfrog progress of China's heavy ion therapy technology not only exemplifies China's innovation in high-end medical care but also underscores the development philosophy of "putting patients at the center." Looking ahead, this Chinese achievement will continue to expand the boundaries of its application, allowing the seeds of new hope for life to take root and thrive across broader horizons, and contributing greater Chinese strength to the global cause of oncology prevention and treatment.

Conference Highlights

Preliminary Review: Zhang  Jie               Final Review: Zhang Lihong