Clinical Application Achievements of China's First Heavy Ion System Receive Full Recognition from Industry Experts

From September 19 to 21, the "2025 Annual Academic Conference of the Professional Committee on Proton and Heavy Ion Radiotherapy of the China Association for Science and Technology Promotion in Human Health and the 5th National Conference on Ion Radiotherapy" was held in Shanghai. Co-hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology Promotion in Human Health and the Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Hospital, and undertaken by the Professional Committee, this major industry event centered on the theme of "Integration, Breakthrough, Win-Win." It brought together renowned domestic and international experts and scholars, who jointly focused on the cutting-edge advancements in the field of proton and heavy ion radiotherapy.

The conference featured 1 main venue and 3 sub-venues, where in-depth discussions were held on new technologies, new concepts, and emerging industrial development patterns in the field of proton and heavy ion radiotherapy. The content covered multiple domains, including cutting-edge advancements in ion radiotherapy technology, clinical application research, radiological physics, and radiobiology. During the event, experts and scholars presented the latest achievements in proton and heavy ion radiotherapy through various formats such as keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, and exchanges of original research papers, offering fresh ideas and methodologies to advance the discipline.

Amidst numerous insightful presentations, Ye Yancheng, President of Wuwei Cancer Hospital of Gansu Province, delivered a report titled "Clinical Application Progress of China's First Domestically Developed Heavy Ion System." The report systematically reviewed the hospital's five-year clinical data, technological breakthroughs, and patient treatment outcome feedback in the field of heavy ion therapy for tumors. Covering aspects such as the expansion of indications, optimization of treatment protocols, and long-term follow-up results, it comprehensively demonstrated the unique advantages of heavy ion technology—including its precise elimination of tumor cells and reduction of damage to normal tissues—providing valuable practical references for the industry. Additionally, the hospital's team shared insights on topics including heavy ion therapy for stage III non-small cell lung cancer, experience in heavy ion radiotherapy for head and neck tumors, application of carbon ion radiotherapy technology for intracranial tumors, and progress in carbon ion therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. These presentations further validated the clinical adaptability and therapeutic advantages of domestically developed heavy ion technology across diverse oncological fields, sparking extensive resonance and in-depth discussions among attending experts.

Ye Yancheng, President of Wuwei Cancer Hospital of Gansu Province, delivered a report titled "Clinical Application Progress of China's First Domestically Developed Heavy Ion System.

At the sub-venue, Zhang Yanshan, Deputy Director of Wuwei Heavy Ion Center, Wuwei Cancer Hospital of Gansu Province, presented a report titled "Achievements in Heavy Ion Therapy for Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer," offering new perspectives for lung cancer treatment. Li Xiaojun, Deputy Director of Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center, Wuwei Tumor Hospital of Gansu Province, shared insights in "Wuwei Clinical Experience in Heavy Ion Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Tumors," elaborating in detail on practical insights and innovative approaches in this field. Li Wanguo, Director of the Radiotherapy Technology Department at Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center, explored "Application of trUpoint ARCH in Carbon Ion Radiotherapy for Intracranial Tumors," demonstrating the positive outcomes of advanced technology in actual treatment. Yu Rong, Attending Physician of Radiotherapy Department VI at Wuwei Heavy Ion Center, analyzed "Research Progress in Carbon Ion Therapy for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer," bringing new hope to patients with pancreatic cancer.

Professor Guo Xiaomao, former President of Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Hospital, extended heartfelt congratulations to his colleagues in Wuwei on behalf of the organizers. His remarks further echoed the industry’s recognition of and expectations for the breakthroughs in domestically developed heavy ion technology. Drawing on his experience in the construction of the Shanghai Heavy Ion Project, he noted that the Wuwei team had spent nearly a decade deploying the first domestically developed heavy ion system in northwest China. This endeavor required not only overcoming technical transformation challenges but also breaking through clinical application barriers—their efforts have far exceeded imagination. Today, the presentation of numerous successful cases, remarkable treatment outcomes, and substantial research achievements not only marks a critical leap in China’s heavy ion radiotherapy from "importing technology" to "domestic innovation" but also demonstrates the robust strength of China’s independent innovation in medical technology.

The convening of this conference not only stands as a vivid practice of "integrating technologies, breaking through bottlenecks, and achieving win-win futures" in China’s proton and heavy ion radiotherapy field but also, through the concentrated showcase of clinical achievements in domestically developed technologies, has infused strong confidence into the industry. As China’s medical technology continues its sustained in-depth development in independent innovation, clinical application, and multi-center collaboration, it will further break through barriers in high-end medical technology in the future. This will provide more "precise, safe, and efficient" new treatment options for oncology patients, drive China to secure a significant position in the global ion radiotherapy arena, and contribute more "Chinese strength" to the cause of human cancer treatment.

Preliminary Review: Zhang Jie

Final Review: Ma Shuqian