Novartis Oncology Solid Tumors Showcases Innovative Portfolio at the Second China International Import Expo

Shanghai, November 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Novartis Oncology (China) Solid Tumors joined forces with domestic oncology experts to appear at the Second China International Import Expo (hereinafter referred to as the "CIIE"), holding educational lectures on lung cancer and melanoma to help enhance public awareness of these diseases. As a trusted leader in China's pharmaceutical industry, this marks Novartis Oncology's second participation in the CIIE.

During the meeting, Professor Xin Tao, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Oncology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University; Professor Huang Tonghai, Associate Chief Physician at Shenzhen People’s Hospital; and Professor Chen Yong, Deputy Director of the Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Surgery and Director of the Malignant Melanoma Diagnosis and Treatment Center at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, jointly focused their discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing Chinese patients with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), known as the “diamond mutation.” They also addressed the current status of diagnosis and treatment for malignant melanoma in China and the latest research advancements, aiming to raise awareness of these diseases and further benefit more Chinese patients.

Parallel Implementation of Medical Insurance and Charity Programs to Benefit More Lung Cancer Patients

The “2017 Annual Report of Cancer Registration in China,” released by the National Cancer Center, shows that there are 4.29 million new cancer cases each year, with lung cancer being the “leading culprit,” ranking first in both incidence and mortality rates. It is estimated that by 2025, the total number of lung cancer patients in China will reach one million, potentially making China the country with the highest number of lung cancer cases worldwide, posing a serious threat to the lives of Chinese citizens as well as social stability and development.

Professor Huang Tonghai, Associate Chief Physician at Shenzhen People’s Hospital, stated: “Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for more than 85% of all lung cancer cases. Among these patients, there is a relatively ‘lucky’ group, namely those with ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase)-positive NSCLC. ALK fusion mutations are commonly referred to in public discourse as‘Diamond Mutation’First, its mutation rate is relatively low; second, patients treated with targeted therapy have prolonged survival, with the current mean overall survival exceeding four years.

With the advancement of precision medicine, challenges in treatment are continuously being transformed into opportunities. Targeted therapies for ALK gene fusion mutations have extended patient survival. Previously, only the first-generation ALK inhibitor crizotinib was approved in China. On May 31, 2018, the National Medical Products Administration approved ceritinib, the first second-generation small-molecule oral targeted drug, providing a safe and effective treatment option for patients who had progressed on or were intolerant to crizotinib. Patients have derived significant clinical benefit.

Professor Xin Tao, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Oncology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, stated: “Currently, multiple second-generation ALK inhibitors have been launched in China, including ceritinib and alectinib. Clinical trials have demonstrated tumor regression in some patients who developed resistance to crizotinib. Furthermore, for brain metastases, which are common in lung cancer patients, second-generation ALK inhibitors such as ceritinib can cross the blood-brain barrier and achieve clinical improvement in brain lesions. While the availability of these drugs has extended patient survival, it has also increased the financial burden of long-term treatment.” To alleviate the financial and psychological burdens on patients, ceritinib was included in the National Reimbursement Drug List in October 2018, coinciding with the launch of a patient assistance program. This initiative helps more patients in need access affordable, standardized treatment and achieve long-term survival.

Professor Xin Tao also stated, “Research advancements in the field of lung cancer are evolving rapidly. There is an urgent need for more treatment modalities and new drugs to be approved and launched to address existing therapeutic gaps, such as BRAF inhibitors and c-MET inhibitors. For patients with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we hope that, with the continuous improvement of national policies, more and better therapeutic options will become available to them as soon as possible, thereby improving both survival and quality of life.”

Dual-Targeted Therapy Brings New Treatment Options for Chinese Melanoma Patients

Melanoma is a highly malignant tumor originating from melanocytes, which can occur in various sites or tissues such as the skin, acral regions, mucosa (including the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urogenital tracts), ocular uvea, and leptomeninges. Although the incidence of melanoma in China is lower than that in Western countries, due to China’s large population base, there are approximately 20,000 new cases annually, with both incidence and mortality rates showing a year-on-year upward trend. Furthermore, acral and mucosal subtypes account for a significant proportion of melanoma cases in the Chinese population; these two subtypes have been less extensively studied in the West. Public awareness of the disease remains low, and most patients are diagnosed at intermediate or advanced stages, imposing a substantial economic burden on families and society. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify solutions tailored to the clinical characteristics of melanoma in Chinese patients.

Among the currently known driver mutations in melanoma, BRAF mutations are the most common genetic alterations, accounting for approximately one-quarter of cases in the Chinese population. They are also associated with a poor prognosis. Due to the lack of routine testing, patients often miss the optimal window for precision therapy. In recent years, with deeper insights into disease mechanisms and the translation of drug development achievements into clinical practice, the prognostic outcomes for melanoma have significantly improved compared to the past. Patients now have more therapeutic options, ranging from chemotherapy to targeted therapy and immunotherapy, with new research data yielding encouraging results. In particular, targeted therapies for melanoma with clearly defined molecular targets have been established as a paradigm of precision medicine.

Among Chinese melanoma patients, as many as one in four may harbor a BRAF V600 mutation. Early detection of BRAF mutations through testing enables patients to receive more targeted treatment regimens and achieve long-term survival. Professor Chen Yong, Deputy Director of the Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Surgery and Director of the Malignant Melanoma Diagnosis and Treatment Center at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, stated, “The treatment landscape for malignant melanoma has undergone fundamental changes in recent years, with targeted therapies against specific driver genes and immune checkpoint inhibitors demonstrating significant efficacy. As these drugs have been successively launched in China, Chinese patients with malignant melanoma finally have access to advanced treatment protocols aligned with global standards, raising the 5-year survival rate for advanced melanoma from less than 5% to 41%. Early- and intermediate-stage melanomas are‘Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Treatment with Surgery as the Primary Modality’In this model, the excellent performance of combining targeted therapy and immunotherapy in adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatments will continue to lead the treatment of solid tumors.

The 2019 CSCO Melanoma Guidelines have recommended dual-target combination therapy as a Category I evidence-based treatment, with the potential for rapid introduction into China. It is hoped that, through concerted efforts and advocacy from all stakeholders, more innovative melanoma therapies will become accessible to a broader patient population and their families at an earlier stage.

Novartis Oncology has strategically focused on five key therapeutic areas globally: breast cancer, hematologic malignancies, lung cancer, melanoma, and renal cell carcinoma. These areas represent urgent unmet patient needs due to high incidence or mortality rates, significant impairment of patients’ quality of life, and substantial economic burdens on patients and their families. Novartis Oncology boasts a robust portfolio of immuno-oncology and targeted therapies, while actively advancing combination treatment regimens. Currently, more than 25 oncology medicines are marketed, and the development pipeline includes over 30 novel molecular entities in various stages of research and development. Looking ahead, Novartis Oncology remains committed to fulfilling its promises, collaborating with multiple stakeholders to support the Chinese government in achieving the strategic objectives of “Healthy China 2030.”

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for reference only. Please follow the advice or guidance of physicians or other qualified healthcare professionals. This article aims to convey cutting-edge pharmaceutical information and research progress, and does not constitute commercial promotion of any drug or recommendation of diagnostic and treatment plans. Some drugs mentioned in this article and/or the indications have not yet been approved in China, and relevant clinical studies may lack data from Chinese patients.