Thoracic cancers (e.g., esophageal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer) represent the most common cancer types not only in China but also in the patient population of the Erasmus MC. Early detection and intervention can substantially contribute to clinical outcome of such cancers. For example, proton pump inhibition therapy can substantially reduce the risk for malignant progression of esophageal cancer [1]. In my presentation (Maikel Peppelenbosch; Erasmus MC), I highlighted the importance of biochemical characterization of both premalignant and malignant tissues for guiding prevention as well as treatment of such cancers, and this plan was echoed well by data presented by Ling Cai (SYSUCC). He demonstrated that detecting mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in non-small cell lung cancer does not provide significant guidance for predicting the efficacy of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), especially when combined with whole body radiation therapy. Remarkably, in the latter presentation, data were shown that the clinical efficacy of TKIs was independent of the actual mutation (either in the receptor tail or loss of the extracellular domain), and this observation corresponded well with my own earlier finding that kinase activity in thoracic (pre-)cancerous lesions was relatively independent of the underlying mutation status [2]. Similarly, Dr. Lan-Jun Zhang (SYSUCC) presented data that attempted to identify genetic variations in pulmonary lymphoepithelioma, but the findings were not conclusive. Taken together, these findings suggest that the current emphasis on next-generation sequencing of thoracic cancer samples for guiding personalized medicine may prove to be disappointing. This conclusion highlights how new insights can emerge from bilateral conferences like the one reported here.

Cases on the role of the tumor microenvironment were presented by Dr. Limin Zheng (SYSUCC) and Dr. Reno Debets (Erasmus MC), who both focused on the role of the immune system in combating tumors. Dr. Zheng presented his data on the microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma, showing that this environment is characterized by suppressive macrophages, which appear Th17-polarized, and thus are poor interferon γ secretors. This microenvironment, although highly pro-inflammatory, is not permissive for cytotoxic T cell responses, enabling a growing tumor to evade immunosurveillance. Alone, these data are highly interesting, as they mechanistically explain the well-established capacity of hepatocellular carcinoma to escape attack by the immune system, even in the context of copious immunoreactivity towards tumor antigens in patients with this type of cancer [3]. However, in context of the work presented by Dr. Reno Debets, these data acquire additional compelling relevance. Dr. Debets has a very efficient platform for engineering enhanced T cell receptors, which can efficiently attack a broad range of tumor types. It has often been suggested that such approaches would benefit from co-administration with ipililumimab, a biological medicine that counteracts regulatory activity. A realization emerged in the audience from Dr. Zheng’s prior presentation that, at least for hepatocellular carcinoma, anti-interleukin-17 antibodies (currently used for treating multiple sclerosis but not tumors) may be a more promising treatment strategy.

Interestingly, the specific microenvironment created by tumors to escape anti-cancer immunity may also prove to be an Achilles heel for these cancers. Such specific microenvironment may result in the strong expression of peptide receptors with an otherwise much more restricted expression. As Dr. Marjon de Vos (Erasmus MC) showed in her exciting presentation, such peptide receptors are excellent targets for therapeutic peptide radionucleotides, which upon binding to their cognate ligands can kill cancer cells by emitting ionizing radiation [4]. Intriguing proof-of-principle examples were provided by Dr. de Vos, who showed that down-regulation of the receptors involved was probably incompatible with the necessity to maintain a specific microenvironment to escape immunosurveillance. As shown by Dr. Zheng, it is possible to significantly improve clinical outcomes. Indeed, the necessity of a specific tumor microenvironment was also highlighted by various other presentations. For example, Dr. Clemens Löwik (Erasmus MC) presented examples of highly advanced imaging technology capable of visualizing mesenchymal stem cells and showed important constituents of a variety of cancers. Such novel imaging modalities are likely to contribute to better care, as they allow for detection of cancer cells in the operation theater, allowing surgeons to ensure that the entire cancer is resected. This notion was further supported by data from Dr. José Angelito Ugalde Hardillo (Erasmus MC), who showed that tumor samples have specific Raman spectra. In the future, this technique may provide further specificity and provide real-time guidance to the surgeons during operation procedures.

Therapeutic efficacy, however, either through novel drugs or by conventional drugs, critically depends on the efficiency of drug delivery. New insights emerged through the synergy generated in this Sino-Dutch symposium. Dr. Timo ten Hagen (Erasmus MC) presented data obtained with intravital microscopy that conventional liposomal delivery of doxorubicin to tumor cells lacks efficacy because of slow release of the drug from the liposome, a problem potentially further compounded by liposomal processing by the tumor cells. The discovery of Dr. Xin Mei (SYSUCC), also employing live imaging, that glioblastoma cells display vascular mimicry and can apparently create potentially functional blood vessels was also presented at this symposium. Cancer cells in general benefit from the presence of blood vessels, and for clear cell renal cell carcinoma, anti-angiogenic therapy is even the treatment of choice [4]; however, efficient blood supply also provides a route for drug delivery. This notion critically depends on the functionality of these blood vessels [5]. The use of tissue factors as indicator molecules to confirm or exclude the functionality of the vessel-like structures involved was extensively elaborated on during the ensuing discussion, further illustrating the value of this type of symposium.

The first Sino-Dutch symposium was unusually productive with respect to generating new insight into how cancer in aging societies can be approached. This initial success augurs very well for closer collaboration between the Erasmus MC and SYSUCC. As both centers now develop clinical implementation of proton therapy (presentation of Dr. Jean-Philipe Pignol) for tumors, further benefits and synergies will likely continue to emerge from this collaboration.