On April 15, 2024, at the invitation of the Department of Breast Surgery of PUMCH, Professor Hope S. Rugo, a medical oncologist at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Director of Breast Oncology and Clinical Trials Education, visited the Xidan Campus of PUMCH for academic discussions with the breast surgery team regarding the latest advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Professor Rugo delivered an academic presentation titled “Key Priorities for the Future of Breast Cancer Research”, with the focus on hot topics of breast cancer treatment. She systematically expounded on the advantages of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADC), the standard operating procedures (SOP) for managing adverse reactions, clinical trials and efficacy of ADC, and elaborated on the research and development of new types of ADC drugs.

Another research area of interest to Professor Rugo is the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in breast cancer. She evaluated and compared the application timing and clinical value of different detection methods such as ctDNA (circulating tumor DNA) and TILs (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes) in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Her analysis and interpretation of cutting-edge hot topics brimmed with hope for the future of precision treatment for breast cancer.

Zhou Yidong, Director of the Department of Breast Surgery, together with core members, academic pioneers, and young doctor representatives of the department, had animated discussions with Professor Rugo on the latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Yao Ru, Assistant to the Director, made an all-round presentation of the department, including data on its clinical practices, professional technical capabilities, specialty features, and domestic and international scientific research collaboration and academic exchanges. Several PUMCH physicians dived into the clinical application scenarios of cutting-edge treatment methods for breast cancer. Professor Rugo expressed her confidence in further deepening cooperation between the two parties down the road.

▲Guided by doctors Huang Xin, Cao Xi and Wang Xuefei, Professor Rugo visited the ambulatory medical center, the ward of the Department of Breast Surgery, and the breast ward of the International Medical Services on the Xidan Campus.

▲Deputy Chief Physicians Pan Bo and Wang Changjun discussed the clinical application scenarios of cutting-edge treatment methods for breast cancer

“To establish an internationally oriented, multi-tiered and expansive mechanism for academic communication and cooperation is the goal and vision of the PUMCH Department of Breast Cancer,” emphasized Director Zhou Yidong. He went on to add that this conference provided a platform for cutting-edge technology discussion, academic exchanges, and scientific research cooperation and would boost the high-quality development and international profile of the discipline.

Translated by Liu Haiyan

Reviewed by Wang Xuefei and Wang Yao