China's voice in the international oncology community is growing, and its innovations in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment have also benefited the world, said a leading domestic expert of lung cancer during an event held by ClinChoice in Shanghai on Dec 16.

Since 20 years ago, when China caught up with the boom of targeted therapy in the field of lung cancer, the country has experienced rapid development and has now become a leader in the world's second echelon of research in this realm, said Han Baohui, honorary director of the department of respiratory medicine at Shanghai Chest Hospital Affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, during the event which hosted discussions about the research and development of innovative medicines.

"In terms of all the drug targets, China has far exceeded the European Union and Japan in the number of studies and papers, and is only second to the United States," he said.

Han pointed out that China has also taken the lead in the development of immunotherapy, an innovative oncology treatment method.

"China has approved 10 immunotherapy products for cancer treatment, including four imported and six homegrown ones, welcoming advanced treatments at an accelerated pace," he explained. "Also, some immunotherapy products from China have been approved and marketed in the US and Europe, benefiting many other patients besides those in China. For example, immunotherapy products by Chinese biotech companies such as Beigene and Junshi Biosciences have already been marketed in Europe and the US respectively in recent months."

Han noted that China's strength in oncology research is significant because this means Asian populations are better represented in global multicenter research programs.

Han then said he hopes to see some changes in the design of clinical research of new medicines. He explained that under current research requirements, only patients who meet certain criteria are included in a clinical study. As such, researchers should expand the scope as well as establish a subgroup of participants.

"Once a drug is marketed, various complex situations will arise. For example, some patients have lung cancer as well as severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or diabetes, and doctors still have to do everything possible to treat them," said Han.

"The data obtained from this subgroup will greatly help guide physicians in terms of medication use after the new drug is marketed."