This article closely examines cancer clinical trials in China in the past few years, focusing on major findings and areas of progress. It also discusses newly approved cancer drugs in China, examining their mechanism of action, efficacy from trials, potential side effects, and speculation on access and affordability.
Cancer is the biggest cause of death in China, with more than 4.5 million new cases diagnosed each year. Recognizing the seriousness of the condition, the country has made enormous advances in cancer research, transforming it into a hotspot of clinical trials with far-reaching effects. Gone are the days of limited studies targeting a handful of cancers! Today, China has a broad and quickly expanding clinical trial landscape, exploring a wide range of cancers and investigating advanced therapy techniques. 722 clinical trials were made only in the year 2020. The number of cancer clinical trials in China has increased to more than a thousand by the end of 2023.
Cancer clinical trials in China are leading to new advances in prevention measures, diagnostic tools, targeted medicines, immunotherapy combinations, and CAR T cell therapy in China.
But why is it important to understand these clinical trials?
The answer lies in their potential to cure cancer patients not just in China, but for the entire world.
This blog aims to be your guide into this dynamic and promising world, offering you insights into the latest advancements and their potential to shape the future of cancer care.
Current State Of Cancer Clinical Trials In China
Here are some key highlights of clinical trials performed in the last few years –
Immunotherapy Is On The Rise
PD-1 inhibitors: Several trials investigating PD-1 inhibitors for various cancers, including lung, liver, and gastric, have shown impressive efficacy and safety profiles. Notably, research on a new PD-1 inhibitor for advanced gastric cancer found a considerable improvement in median overall survival when compared to chemotherapy.
CAR-T cell therapy: Trials of CAR T cell therapy for cancer in China, against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and other hematological cancers have shown sustained complete remission rates, increasing hope for personalized medical solutions. Many esteemed healthcare organizations in China are offering free cancer treatment in China as a part of clinical trials for those who can’t afford the cost of cancer treatment.
Progress in Precision Medicine
Targeted therapeutics: Trials of targeted therapies aiming to exploit specific genetic alterations in tumors are showing promising outcomes. For example, research using a tyrosine kinase inhibitor specific to a KRAS mutation in lung cancer resulted in considerable tumor reduction and prolonged progression-free survival.
Liquid biopsies: Non-invasive liquid biopsy techniques based on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are increasingly being used to track therapy response and detect early signals of relapse. Early studies evaluating their potential for personalized treatment optimization are ongoing.
Unlike conventional invasive tissue biopsies, liquid biopsies identify and characterize cancer using biomarkers contained in physiological fluids, such as blood. Liquid biopsies, which require only a blood sample, enable safe and repeatable testing, allowing for real-time monitoring of disease progression and therapy response.
Traditional Medicine Integration
Combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with Western therapies: Several studies are looking into the synergistic effects of TCM herbs and traditional techniques for reducing cancer side effects and boosting treatment success. Examples include studies that combined TCM with chemotherapy for lung cancer and radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
China’s Medical Administration Approved A New Drug For Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer
Good news for patients with metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC)! The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China has approved Imfinzi (durvalumab), an immunotherapy medication, in combination with conventional chemotherapy for first-line treatment.
This is a big milestone, as it provides a new, more effective option for these patients, who frequently have a poor prognosis.
Why Is This Drug Type Significant In Cancer Care?
Biliary tract cancer is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options. Early diagnosis is uncommon, and survival rates are low.
Imfinzi, in combination with chemotherapy, produced good outcomes. In clinical trials, patients who received this combination had a 22% lower risk of death than those who received only chemotherapy. This resulted in longer survival times and a potentially better quality of life.
Imfinzi is already approved in other countries, and this approval makes treatment available to patients in China, where nearly 20% of global BTC cases occur.
How Does Imfinzi Work?
It belongs to a class of cancer drugs called immunotherapy, which uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. Imfinzi targets and inhibits PD-L1, a protein that cancer cells use to avoid the immune system. This improves immune cells’ ability to recognize and fight tumor cells.
While this is positive news, more research is needed in this area. Long-term effects and effectiveness in diverse patient populations need to be studied.
Still, this approval brings new hope for biliary tract cancer patients and highlights the potential of immunotherapy in cancer treatment.
Cancer Clinical Trials In China Led To Development Of Innovative Therapies
China’s commitment to cancer research is producing outstanding results, with clinical trials playing an important role in the development of innovative therapies to treat cancer.
CAR-T Cell Therapy
CAR-T cell therapy is a promising and revolutionary cancer treatment technique that has recently made significant advances in clinical studies in China. CAR-T cell therapy involves modifying a patient’s own T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which recognize and destroy tumor cells.
Multiple trials in China over the last few years have perfected CAR-T manufacture and delivery systems, resulting in impressive response rates in certain refractory blood cancers like lymphoma and leukemia when other therapies have failed.
One ongoing research field is the development of CAR-T treatments targeting new antigens linked to a broader range of hematologic and solid tumors.
PD-1 Inhibitors
PD-1 inhibitors have made substantial advances in cancer immunotherapy. In recent years, multiple clinical trials in China have investigated PD-1 inhibitor antibodies against a variety of cancer types.
These drugs act like tiny roadblocks, preventing cancer cells from sending “stop signals” to immune T cells. With these barriers in place, T cells are freed, recognizing and attacking the cancer with increased power.
Notably, PD-1 inhibitors have shown great promise in non-small cell lung cancer trials, boosting overall response rates, progression-free survival, and overall survival when compared to chemotherapy.
Targeted Therapies
Targeted cancer therapy that specifically inhibits specific genetic drivers of tumor development and progression has emerged as a key pillar of precision oncology. The most rapid advancement in targeted therapy has happened in lung cancer, with recent China trials of agents like anlotinib, and icotinib finding promising response rates and survival improvements, leading to several regulatory approvals. Trials are also examining targeted therapies matched to biomarkers in liver, gastric, and colorectal cancers.
Combination Therapies
Combination therapies, which use two or more drugs with different mechanisms, are gaining popularity in China’s fight against cancer. This method aims to address the limits of single-agent therapy by potentially increasing efficacy, lowering resistance, and minimizing negative effects.
The combination of targeted therapy with immunotherapy, gene therapy, or other therapies is being intensively explored to achieve synergistic benefits against various cancer types.
These combinations are showing exceptional synergy, with recent trials indicating up to 90% response rates with no additional toxicity compared to single medicines alone.
Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Therapy
Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) therapy is a powerful and personalized immunotherapy method for certain solid tumors. It activates the patient’s immune system by collecting and multiplying tumor-fighting T cells that are naturally present within the tumor. These “trained soldiers,” known as TILs, are then reintroduced into the patient, ready to recognize and eliminate cancer cells.
Unlike CAR T cells, which are developed to target specific markers on cancer cells, TILs have a great advantage: they recognize a wide range of targets on the patient’s own tumor. This is because they have already entered the tumor microenvironment, learning the enemy’s “fingerprints” firsthand.
This multi-pronged approach makes it more difficult for the tumour to evade treatment by hiding a single target, which offers a significant therapeutic benefit.
Cancer Clinical Trials In China Are Gaining Global Attention
China’s commitment to cancer research is producing outstanding results, with clinical trials playing an important role in the development of innovative therapies. This increase in activity represents not only great progress for China but also provides hope for the global fight against cancer.
Growing Number And Diversity
The number of clinical trials in China is increasing, covering a wide range of cancers, from common forms such as lung and gastric cancer to uncommon ones. This diversity enables researchers to investigate various therapies for cancer.
Advanced Therapies
Researchers are exploring new immunotherapies such as CAR-T cell therapy and PD-1 inhibitors, as well as gene therapies and targeted medicines based on specific genetic mutations. These hold the promise of personalized therapy and more effective treatment plans.
Liquid Biopsy Revolution
China is actively studying liquid biopsy, a non-invasive method for analyzing blood for tumor DNA and other indicators. This opens doors for early detection and real-time monitoring of treatment responses.
Collaboration And Innovation
China is increasingly working with international researchers and organizations to facilitate knowledge exchange and accelerate the development of innovative cures. This promotes a global approach to cancer research, which benefits patients globally.
Final Thoughts
As we conclude this article on cancer clinical trials in China, it is important to realize that this is only the beginning. These ongoing trials, which range from revolutionary immunotherapies to personalized medicinal approaches, have far-reaching implications across national borders. Each step forward in China has a global impact, providing hope to sufferers and improving the fight against this complicated disease.
