Concerted efforts give child cancer patients new hope

Shanghai researchers conduct the Phase I clinical trial of CAR-T therapy with a target on glypican-3, a type of carcinoembryonic antigen. Li said, "When experts treating tumors in adults gather to discuss whether it is excessive to have at least 100 research and development projects for PD-1 inhibitors－a potential cancer therapy－underway in China, we envy them greatly, as the number of such projects in the pediatric field is zero." For adults, finding an appropriate drug solution from existing medicines is another solution, Li said, adding that China has a larger patient community than other countries, and he hopes that more clinical trials can be promoted domestically to meet patients' needs. "Before the therapy for neuroblastoma obtained market approval in China in August, 35 children had received it since the previous November in the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan province, as part of our efforts to improve drug accessibility as much as possible," she said. Liu said, "We're also delighted to see that in past years many cities have introduced commercial supplementary medical insurance guided by their medical insurance authorities, and that innovative drugs to treat major diseases, including cancers, have been included on the reimbursement list."