Wuwei Heavy Ion Center Marks 5th Anniversary & Hosts Successful 2025 Ion Therapy Symposium

Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital’s Wuwei Heavy Ion Center Celebrates 5th Anniversary & "2025 Frontiers in Ion Therapy for Cancer Academic Symposium" Successfully Concluded

On June 28, the 5th Anniversary of Wuwei Heavy Ion Center and the "2025 Frontiers in Ion Therapy for Cancer Academic Symposium" were successfully held at the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital. The event brought together over 100 experts in heavy ion medical equipment R&D, production, and clinical application, including academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), Prof. Wang Junjie, Chairman of the Oncology Therapy Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and international delegations from Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam.

At the symposium’s opening ceremony, Prof. Yang Yongping, CAE Academician, Deputy Party Secretary of Lanzhou University, and President of Lanzhou University, proposed a strategic path for interdisciplinary innovation in heavy ion technology, emphasizing industry-academia-research integration and talent cultivation. He also extended encouragement to over 160 Lanzhou University alumni working at Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital.

• Prof. Xiao Guoqing, former Director of the CAS Lanzhou Branch, analyzed key breakthroughs in heavy ion technology for fundamental research and clinical translation.
• Prof. Shen Wenjiang, Lifetime Honorary Professor and Chief Physician of Peking University Health Science Center’s Radiation Oncology Department, shared the unique advantages and future prospects of heavy ion therapy in precision oncology.
• Prof. Yee-Min Jen, 9th President of the Taiwan Radiation Oncology Society and Distinguished Professor at Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, presented advanced experiences in heavy ion equipment R&D, patient care models, and cross-regional collaboration.
• Prof. Wang Junjie, Chairman of the Chinese Medical Association’s Radiation Oncology Committee and Director of Lanzhou Heavy Ion Hospital, highlighted standardization and quality control to ensure sustainable development of heavy ion technology.
• Mr. Zhong Sheng’ai, Party Secretary and Director of Wuwei Municipal Health Commission, elaborated on Wuwei’s high-quality healthcare development and heavy ion health industry innovation.
• Prof. Ye Yancheng, President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, reviewed the center’s 13-year construction and 5-year clinical operation, detailing innovative breakthroughs in heavy ion therapy.

CAE Academician Yang Yongping

Prof. Xiao Guoqing, former Director of the CAS Lanzhou Branch

Prof. Shen Wenjiang, Lifetime Honorary Professor and Chief Physician of

Peking University Health Science Center’s Radiation Oncology Department

Prof.Yee-Min Jen, 9th President of the Taiwan Radiation Oncology Society and

Distinguished Professor at Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital

Prof. Wang Junjie, Chairman of the Chinese Medical Association’s Radiation Oncology Committee

and Director of Lanzhou Heavy Ion Hospital

Mr. Zhong Sheng’ai, Party Secretary and Director of Wuwei Municipal Health Commission

Prof. Ye Yancheng, President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital

Academic Symposium Presentations

The symposium featured cutting-edge reports from global experts:

• Prof. Zhan Wenlong (CAS Academician, former CAS Vice President): "Advances in High-Efficiency Precision Radiotherapy – 2025"
• Prof. Xia Jiawen (CAE Academician, former Deputy Director of CAS Institute of Modern Physics): "Future Development of Heavy Ion Therapy"
• Prof. Tsujii Hirohiko (QST Hospital, Japan): "Current Status and Prospects of Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy in Japan"
• Prof. Ma Jun (CAS Academician, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center): "Immunotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma"
• Prof. Saito Shiro (Ohfunato Central Hospital, Japan): "Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer in Japan"
• Prof. Wang Junjie (Peking University Third Hospital): "Key Clinical Technologies in Heavy Ion Therapy"
• Prof. Tang Jintian (Tsinghua University): "Status and Challenges of China’s Advanced Particle Equipment & Medical Industry"
• Prof. Zhang Hongzhi (Nuclear Industry 416 Hospital): "Unique Aspects of Heavy Ion Radiotherapy – Open Questions"
• Prof. Fu Shen (Guangzhou Concord Cancer Center): "Proton & Heavy Ion Therapy: Clinical Insights"
• Prof. Tan Hong Qi (Singapore National Cancer Centre): "Proton Therapy at NCCS: Progress & Tech Advances"
• Prof. Xu Benhua (Fujian Medical University): "Adaptive Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy"
• Prof. Mu Xiangkui (Shandong Cancer Hospital): "Multi-Particle Therapy for Tumors"
• Prof. Wu Kailiang (Fudan University Cancer Hospital): "Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy for Thoracic Tumors"
• Mr. Shi Jian (Lanzhou Kejin Taiji Technology): "5-Year Operational Experience of Wuwei Heavy Ion Facility"
• Prof. Wu Jiaming (Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan): "Dosage Modeling in Carbon-Ion Therapy"
• Prof. Zhang Yanshan (Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital): "Clinical Practice of China’s First Domestic Heavy Ion System"

Other distinguished attendees included:

• Prof. Zhou Minglong, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
• Prof. Xu Weixuan, National Cancer Centre, Singapore
• Prof. Mi Denghai, Counselor of Gansu Provincial People's Government, Former President of Gansu Provincial Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chief Physician (Level 1)
• Prof. Li Sha, The 940th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force
• Prof. Jiang Ping, Chief Physician, Associate Professor, and Master's Supervisor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital
• Prof. Lan Shengmin, Chief Physician, Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital
• Prof. Wang Rensheng, Director of Radiation Oncology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University; Committee Member of Chinese Society of Radiation Oncology; Master's Supervisor
• Prof. Gao Liying, Chief Expert of Radiotherapy Center, Gansu Provincial Central Hospital; Chief Physician of Radiation Oncology; Leading Talent in Gansu Health System
• Prof. Tan Yunfei, Chief Physician of Clinical Psychology Department, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital; Vice President of Gansu Provincial Second People's Hospital
• Prof. Du Lanning, Director of Radiation Oncology Department, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University; Chief Physician
• Prof. Zhang Busheng, Chief Physician of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital; Vice President of Qingyang People's Hospital
• Prof. Sun Pengfei, Director of Radiation Oncology Department, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University; Doctoral Supervisor; Executive Director of the 3rd Council of Gansu Anti-Cancer Association
• Prof. Tian Zhongze, Director of Radiation Oncology Department, The 940th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force
• Prof. Li Liya, Director of Oncology Department, China-Japan Friendship Hospital
• Prof. Zhang Qiuning, Vice President of Lanzhou Branch, Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital
• Comrade Song Jian, President of Pei Zhengxue Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute
• Mr. Zhang Qiuning, Deputy Chief Engineer, Lanzhou Kejin Taiji Technology Co., Ltd.
• Mr. Zhang Hua, Head of Health Team, Tsinghua University
• Ms. An Qin, General Manager, Beijing Greenplot Technology Co., Ltd.

Delegates visited the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center, praising its forward-looking planning, smart digital ecosystem, and holistic health management integrating cultural therapy, rural healing, and mind-body wellness.

After over a decade of arduous efforts, China's first heavy ion tumor treatment system has been in clinical application for more than five years. This achievement not only broke the international monopoly on heavy ion technology but also marked a historic breakthrough in China's clinical application of large-scale medical equipment, making China the fourth country in the world to achieve heavy ion tumor treatment. This holds significant strategic importance for the development and application of heavy ion technology nationwide. During the project's construction, key technical challenges such as precise control of heavy ion beams and the establishment of clinical application standards were resolved, successfully enabling the clinical application of heavy ion tumor treatment technology.

The Wuwei Heavy Ion Center has continued to explore technological innovations, achieving eight "world-first" accomplishments:

• It is the only hospital in the world operating two heavy ion treatment systems, establishing an efficient dual-center collaborative model.
• The number of single-fraction treatments completed within one day ranks among the highest globally.
• It pioneered globally the use of heavy ion precision therapy under ventilator control.
• It was the first in the world to develop bladder cancer treatment technology with precise bladder capacity control.
• It pioneered the surgical placement of isolation pads between organs and tumors to enable single-session heavy ion treatment.
• It developed China's first 360° rotating and height-adjustable ion therapy chair.
• It performed the world's first cases of heavy ion treatment for cardiac tumors.
• It implemented the world's first comprehensive, full-lifecycle physical and mental health management system integrated with heavy ion treatment.

These breakthroughs have transformed China's heavy ion therapy from a "follower" into a key driver of industry development.

Through five years of clinical application, the center has successfully treated a cumulative total of 2,036 patients, overcoming numerous technical challenges encountered in heavy ion cancer therapy. It has accumulated substantial clinical experience and established a comprehensive set of technical guidelines and standardized operating procedures, laying a solid foundation for the standardization system of domestic heavy ion technology. This has made it the optimal treatment choice for radiation-resistant tumors such as pancreatic cancer and adenoid cystic carcinoma.

The center has established China's first heavy ion oncology rehabilitation town, achieving whole-lifecycle health management for cancer patients. By taking over the operation of Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center, it has realized the integrated operation of heavy ion treatment systems across Gansu Province, positioning the province as a national medical hub specializing in heavy ion cancer therapy.

This symposium serves not only as a summary of the achievements over the past five years, but more importantly as a new starting point for the journey ahead. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Wuwei Heavy Ion Center will actively plan to develop cutting-edge tumor treatment technologies including light ion therapy, boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), α-isotope targeted therapy, and cell therapy. Focusing on key tasks such as the construction of heavy ion technology innovation platforms, recruitment and cultivation of high-level talents, incubation and production of medical equipment, and establishment of heavy ion industry standards, the center will strive to build itself into a national cradle for heavy ion talents, an academic hub, and a research highland. It aims to become China's western national regional medical center for heavy ion radiotherapy with the most comprehensive range of tumor radiotherapy technologies.

From breaking through core technological bottlenecks to achieve the "zero-to-one" breakthrough, to successfully filling international technological gaps; from serving domestic patients to attracting global cancer patients with its outstanding therapeutic efficacy - Wuwei Heavy Ion Center, this "Chinese benchmark", will continue to shoulder the mission of advancing precision oncology transformation. With an open and inclusive approach, it will deepen international cooperation, accelerate the clinical translation of cutting-edge technologies, and bring more hope of cure to cancer patients worldwide. We firmly believe that China's heavy ion therapy technology will shine even brighter in safeguarding human life and health, contributing formidable Chinese strength to building a global community of health for all.