On July 18, the 2026 ASCO Frontiers in Lung Cancer Progress Conference successfully concluded at the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital. The event brought together top lung cancer specialists from across China to share cutting-edge international research findings and exchange insights on the application of heavy ion therapy in thoracic oncology.

The conference featured distinguished faculty including Professor Shi Yuankai, Honorary Director of the Cancer Center at Aerospace Center Hospital and Tenured Professor at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College; Professor Hu Xingsheng from the National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Professor Kuang Tao from the Department of Medical Oncology at Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital; Professor Yin Xude and Professor Wang Yi from the Radiation Oncology Department at Sichuan Cancer Hospital; Professor Bai Yifeng from the Cancer Center at Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital; and Professor Xia Ning from the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University. Dozens of renowned oncology experts from both within and beyond Gansu Province participated in lectures and panel discussions. Colleagues specializing in respiratory medicine, oncology, and radiation therapy from medical institutions across Wuwei were also invited. This gathering not only recognized the hospital’s distinctive achievements in heavy ion cancer therapy and thoracic tumor program development but also established a national-level academic bridge for cancer care in the Hexi Corridor region.

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Professor Cai Qinghua, Vice President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, opened the meeting with a welcome address. She emphasized that lung cancer, with its leading incidence and mortality rates, remains a top priority in the hospital’s cancer control efforts. By integrating the latest findings from the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting with the advantages of heavy ion technology, this conference promises to elevate the hospital’s precision diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, ultimately benefiting more patients in the region.

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In his remarks, Professor Shi Yuankai highlighted the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center as the cradle of China’s heavy ion cancer therapy technology. He noted that the center has pioneered a unique path in precision radiotherapy for lung cancer and emerged as a national benchmark. He expressed hope that the conference would foster deeper academic exchange and research collaboration, enabling this “national treasure”—the heavy ion system—to reach more lung cancer patients.

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As the birthplace of domestic heavy ion technology, our hospital is the world’s only medical institution operating two heavy ion therapy systems simultaneously. We have established an integrated “One Center, Two Wings” operational framework linking Wuwei and Lanzhou. To date, we have completed over 3,000 heavy ion treatments for patients from across China—including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan—as well as international patients from Belgium, Australia, South Korea, Malaysia, Jordan, Serbia, and beyond. The scope of treatable conditions has expanded to over 100 disease categories.

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Aerial View of Wuwei Heavy Ion Center

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Main Building of the Heavy Ion Center

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Track-Based Logistics System of Wuwei Heavy Ion Center

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Smart Hospital Command Center, Wuwei Heavy Ion Center

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Peach Blossom Island, China Heavy Ion Wellness Town

In lung cancer treatment, the heavy ion beam leverages its unique Bragg peak physical property to achieve precise “targeted destruction.” It delivers a high, lethal dose directly to the tumor while maximally sparing surrounding healthy tissues such as the lungs, heart, and spinal cord. Compared to conventional photon radiotherapy, heavy ion therapy offers distinct advantages: superior precision, reduced collateral damage, shorter treatment courses, and enhanced efficacy. It provides a revolutionary non-surgical curative option, particularly for inoperable early-stage lung cancer and elderly patients with comorbidities. Our hospital has accumulated extensive clinical experience in advanced fields including precision heavy ion irradiation for lung cancer, ultra-low-dose heavy ion immunotherapy enhancement, and combined local heavy ion radiotherapy with systemic immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

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Respiratory motion-induced target displacement has long been a global challenge limiting radiotherapy precision for lung cancer. Traditional solutions often fall short in accuracy and patient tolerance, failing to align with carbon ion therapy’s characteristics of high single-fraction doses and fewer fractions. Our hospital pioneered the world’s first non-invasive respiratory control technique for heavy ion therapy. By synergizing non-invasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation with general anesthesia to suppress respiration, we can limit respiratory-induced tumor displacement in thoracic and abdominal cancers—such as lung and liver tumors—to within 2 mm. This advancement propels domestic radiotherapy for mobile tumors toward greater standardization and quality. Filling an international gap in applying non-invasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation to heavy ion therapy, this “China-made” innovation marks a revolutionary leap from invasive radical treatment to non-invasive precision therapy.

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Normal Spontaneous Breathing

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High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilator (Under General Anesthesia)

The leading edge in heavy ion therapy is underpinned by robust multidisciplinary support. The Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine—Gansu Province’s sole provincial-level key department in this specialty and home to the Wuwei Lung Cancer and Pulmonary Nodule Diagnosis and Treatment Center under the China Lung Cancer Prevention and Control Alliance—integrates clinical care, education, and research. It provides critical infrastructure for early screening, diagnosis, interventional pulmonology, and critical care management of lung cancer. The department pioneered complex procedures including microwave ablation, radioactive seed implantation, rigid bronchoscopy, and silicone stent placement. As a nationally accredited PCCM-standardized unit, it serves as the core provider of cancer control and respiratory critical care for Wuwei and surrounding regions.

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology—including Philips PB840 ventilators, ResMed non-invasive ventilators, Olympus ultrasound bronchoscopes, German STORZ rigid bronchoscopes, medical thoracoscopes, and polysomnography systems—the department excels in EBUS-TBNA, microwave ablation, radioactive seed implantation, APC, and cryotherapy. Several of these specialized techniques rank among the best in the province.

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From the non-invasive precision of heavy ion radiotherapy for early lung cancer, to minimally invasive interventional therapies for airway lesions, and life support in the RICU—a fully integrated, whole-cycle care continuum spanning “prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation” is now firmly in place. Patients can access comprehensive services—from initial screening to advanced-stage care—within a single, unified platform.

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Professor Bai Yifeng of the Cancer Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, delivered a lecture titled "Frontiers in SCLC Research: Insights from the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting."

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Professor Xia Ning of Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, presented on "Advances in Driver Gene-Negative NSCLC: Highlights from the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting."

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Professor Wang Yi of Sichuan Cancer Hospital, spoke on "Progress in Driver Gene-Positive NSCLC: Updates from the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting."

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Panel Discussion

Standing at this new vantage point, Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital will continue to leverage the core strength of heavy ion technology. We will refine precision heavy ion therapy for lung cancer, strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration, and accelerate clinical research translation. With this national asset, we safeguard every breath, contributing tangible “Wuwei Strength” to the Healthy China initiative.

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