[China Tech] Local Medical Team Achieves Major Leap in Colon Cancer Treatment

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Local medical experts have developed an innovative chemotherapy plan targeting the terminal stage of colorectal cancer, successfully increasing the treatment effectiveness from less than 50 percent to 85 percent.

The new plan, which has two targets and two chemotherapy medications, is expected to be included in global guidelines.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Among all cases, patients with a BRAF mutation account for 5 to 10 percent, and they typically experience faster disease progression, poorer treatment outcomes, and shorter survival.

"Our research focuses on patients with BRAF mutations. We aim to create a more precise and effective treatment with fewer side effects for these individuals," said Dr Zang Yuansheng from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), the leading expert in this research.

"The current treatment involves a combination of three common types of chemotherapy medications for colorectal cancer, but the overall effectiveness rate usually ranges from 20 to 40 percent."

"After conducting extensive basic and clinical research, we selected two specific chemotherapy medications and combined them with another two targeted therapies to develop a plan involving two drugs and two targets, focusing on BRAF and EGFR mutations due to their close relationship," he said. "We named our approach the 'IMPROVEMENT Plan,' which has shown an 85 percent response rate among our patients and was included in the consensus in Europe in 2022."

To validate the effectiveness of this innovative plan, Zang and his colleagues conducted a broader study, comparing their approach with other treatment plans worldwide to gather additional evidence.

"We established the largest research cohort, consisting of 4,633 patients, and conducted a multi-model cross-verification, confirming that our plan is the best option based on its efficacy and safety. We also provided a step-by-step policy to ensure treatment effectiveness while enhancing patients' tolerance."

The prestigious British Medical Journal published the research this week, garnering recognition within the international medical community.

"The editor indicated that our plan has significant potential to influence global guidelines. This represents a major endorsement from the Western medical community," Zang said.

If you want to consult about the treatment plan

You can contact with Dr Zang Yuansheng through e-mail at doctorzangys@163.com

The innovative treatment plan is only carried out at the hospital at present.

Hospital Address: 415 Fengyang Rd 凤阳路415号