Source: Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
Written by: Office of International Collaboration and Public Relations, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
Proofread by: Liu Xu
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

The National Science and Technology Awards Conference was held in Beijing on January 8, 2016. The research project “The diagnostic and treatment strategies for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: innovation and application”, undertaken by the team of Prof. Ma Jun from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) won the second prize in the 2015 State Science and Technology Progress Award. SYSUCC’s professors Zhao Chong, Mai Haiqiang, Zhang Li, Lu Taixiang, Li Yuhong, Xie Fangyun, Hu Weihan, Liu Mengzhong and Sun Ying also participated in the project.

For years, Guangdong Province has been one of the highest incidence areas of NPC (Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma), and NPC is also known as the Cantonese Cancer. Since the Cancer Center was established, researches on NPC have been the key projects in SYSUCC. Particularly, funded by the State Key Project of Clinical Disciplines from the Ministry of Health, this research project conducted by the team of Prof. Ma Jun has made great achievements.

Seven major findings are included in the outcome of the project. The project found that miRNA signature and the plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA levels were associated with distant metastasis of NPC. These findings are of significance in guiding the precise treatment of NPC. Moreover, researchers have developed a more cost-effective way to use positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) to detect metastases in patients with NPC, based on EBV DNA levels and N stage. On the other hand, they revealed the local and regional spread pattern of NPC, and established a comprehensive contouring method and atlas of organs at risk in NPC patients receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Besides, they are the first to demonstrate that concurrent chemotherapy could improve the prognosis of stage II NPC in a phase III clinical trial. In another phase III trial, the group showed that adjuvant chemotherapy could not improve the survival of NPC patients. Additionally, they demonstrated the efficacy of gemcitabine and gemcitabine–vinorelbine regimen in the treatment for recurrence and metastatic NPC.

Since the research project started, 100 SCI papers have been published by the team members, including the main research result in the leading journals such as Lancet Oncol, J Clin Oncol, J Natl Cancer Inst, etc. Also, 6 research results have been included in the NCCN guidelines, leading the breakthrough in NPC treatments. These achievements were reported by Reuters, Science and Technology Daily, China Medical Tribune, Health News, MD Weekly, Guangzhou Daily, etc. Especially in 2012 as the research result was published, it became one of the top 10 medical news in China and one of the top 10 science and technology breakthroughs in China.