CSCO-MSD Oncology Research Fund Officially Launched to Advance Cancer Clinical and Translational Studies in China

SHANGHAI, Nov. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Clinical Oncology Research Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the “CSCO Foundation”) and MSD China jointly announced the official launch of the CSCO-MSD Oncology Research Fund (hereinafter referred to as the “CSCO-MSD Research Fund”). The fund aims to support and encourage Chinese clinicians in conducting clinical and translational medicine research related to oncology, thereby enhancing scientific research and clinical practice standards, and improving survival benefits for patients.

The CSCO-MSD Research Fund will primarily be used to support clinical and related translational research on tumor immunotherapy and targeted therapy in the fields of lung cancer, liver cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, and melanoma. Scientific research funded by the CSCO-MSD Research Fund must be conducted within China.

“As the application of tumor immunotherapy and targeted therapy becomes increasingly widespread in China, it is particularly necessary to explore treatment models better suited to Chinese cancer patients. We aim to cultivate more outstanding academic talents in the field of oncology, enabling them to acquire first-hand data on relevant treatment regimens in the Chinese population through clinical research.”Professor Li Jin, Director of the Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Universitystated, “This collaboration between the CSCO Foundation and MSD China will jointly promote the cultivation of talent in the field of oncology treatment in China, drive the continuous advancement of discipline construction, accelerate the clinical application of innovative achievements, and better benefit cancer patients in China.”

Cancer Seriously Affects Public Health. According to the latest cancer statistics released by the National Cancer Center, in 2015, there were 3.929 million new cases of malignant tumors and 2.338 million deaths in China, with both incidence and mortality rates showing a year-on-year upward trend.^[1]Recently, the State Council issued the "Opinions of the State Council on Implementing the Healthy China Action," launching a cancer prevention and control initiative. This effort will be advanced collaboratively at the individual, societal, and governmental levels to jointly combat cancer and build and share a better, healthier life.

“At present, China faces significant challenges in the prevention and control of malignant tumors, necessitating collaborative efforts from multiple stakeholders to jointly contribute to the cause of cancer prevention and treatment.”Professor Qin Shukui, Director of the PLA Cancer Center at the Eastern Theater Command General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Armystated, “High-caliber specialists and forward-looking clinical research are the core drivers advancing oncology diagnosis and treatment. In recent years, the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) has placed great emphasis on strengthening close integration with clinical medical institutions, enterprises, and all sectors of society, leveraging their respective strengths to provide robust support for overcoming the limitations of current diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, thereby tangibly improving the state of cancer care.”

“As a leading pharmaceutical company in the field of oncology, MSD has established extensive collaborations with CSCO and its various professional committees to promote the development of innovative cancer treatment research in China,”Luo Wanli, President of MSD Chinastated, “Thanks to the Chinese government’s accelerating reforms in the healthcare sector, MSD and its partners have introduced multiple innovative oncology therapeutics to China over the past year. Through the CSCO-MSD Research Fund, we aim to deepen our collaboration with the CSCO Foundation, actively advance the development of oncology in China, and benefit more Chinese patients.”

^[1]Zheng Rongshou, Sun Kexin, Zhang Siwei, et al. Analysis of the epidemiology of malignant tumors in China in 2015. Chinese Journal of Oncology [J], 2019, 41(1)