Prof. Yan Sun, Chairman of the NCCN 2nd Annual Asia Scientific Congress:

Evidence-based medicine is the foundation of medical practice in the 21st century, and its importance cannot be overemphasized. Since 2006, we have started localizing the NCCN Guidelines and developed the China Editions of the NCCN Guidelines at a rate of about two to three editions per year. I am also very glad to see China’s top specialists involved in the ongoing revision and updating exercise of the Chinese Guidelines.

The two main objectives of the ongoing revision and updating exercise are: firstly, to provide a platform for members of the oncology fraternity to combine the highest standard of oncology practice together with personal experience, resulting in Guidelines that may serve as reference to our colleagues in China; secondly, that as a result, the NCCN Guidelines will become China’s most authoritative reference for oncology practice.

Dr. William T. McGivney, Chief Executive Officer of NCCN:

The NCCN Guidelines, related continuing education programs for doctors, NCCN programs for patients on Discover Channel, as well as many other programs and activities, provide free, updated cancer-related information to doctors and patients alike worldwide. In addition, doctors from all over the world including Asia, actively participate in NCCN’s various meetings and conferences every year. I would like to thank Prof. Yan Sun for his initiative, EMD for the co-operation and industry partners for their support, in successfully promoting NCCN Guidelines in Asia.

Ms. Joan S. McClure, Senior Vice President of Clinical Information and Publications for NCCN:

In the US, the NCCN Guidelines and information are made available to doctors and patients in many ways: besides website downloads, information on CDs and booklets, derivative programs and resources of the NCCN Guidelines provide invaluable education to both doctors and patients. Through feedback obtained from these programs and activities, NCCN further understands the practicality of the Guidelines. Where opportunity and circumstances permit, I hope that these methods for promoting the Guidelines and related information would be employed in Asia.

Prof. Jingwen Wang, Chief of Hematology, Beijing Tongren Hospital:

Although 100% concordance may not be achieved for hospitals in China, the NCCN Guidelines provide clinicians a glimpse into the latest techniques and approaches to clinical therapy.

Dr. Huangyang Ye, Oncology Centre of Xiamen No. 1 Hospital, Fujian Medical University, a case presenter at the NHL symposium:

This year, the latest version of the NCCN guidelines mentioned B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Incidentally, we had the first patient in our hospital and we could use the latest recommendations from the NCCN Guidelines on him. As a result, we learned a lot from managing this patient.

Prof. Yuan Sheng, Division of Breast & Thyroid Disease, Department of General Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military University Medical University, Shanghai:

The NCCN Guidelines provide guidance when there is no consensus in therapy. In addition, the guidelines provide an integrated and comprehensive treatment plan. As a result, there is treatment compliance and greater confidence from patients.

A doctor from the Shenyang Medical University, Liaoning:

Currently many medical institutions are formulating their own policies with regards to oncology but I find the NCCN Guidelines are more comprehensive, detailed and up-to-date.

Dr. Vinod Raina, member of NCCN Asia Consensus Statement Panel for Breast Cancer:

In India, the NCCN Guidelines are increasingly being used in hospitals and is hailed as “the Bible” in oncology. China and India face similar challenges in treating cancer patients. I hope that this situation will create opportunities for collaboration and communication between both countries to formulate the best treatment options for patients.

Dr. AI Benson III, Chair of NCCN, US:

These face-to-face meetings are priceless. Although one can download the NCCN Guidelines from the internet, it is through these meetings and discussions with experts from around the world which brings about newer insights in oncology. In addition, the diverse approaches to diagnosis and treatments adopted by different countries bring about a fuller and richer perspective to the NCCN Guidelines.

Prof. Junling Zhuang, Hematology Department, Peking Union Medical College Hospital,, Beijing

There are sufficient case studies and representation from different sectors of the medical community at the NCCN Congress. In addition, the forums have generated a lot of discussion and debates. Although most specialists do not give their direct opinion, one can learn quite a lot through interacting with them.

Dr. Timothy M. Kuzel, member of NCCN Kidney Cancer Panel, US:

Clinical trials guide and provide the evidence for us in the ongoing revision of the NCCN Guidelines.

Prof. Jun Guo, member of NCCN China Kidney Cancer Panel:

We need to change the negative preconception of clinical trials in our patients; they need to be convinced that being involved in clinical trials could bring about better treatment results. Hence if more of our patients participate in clinical trials, we will be able to gather more evidence, and if these results are recognized by our international counterparts, then I think doctors and patients in China have contributed to the advancement in medicine.

Prof. Desen Wang, Co-chair of NCCN China Colon and Rectal Cancers Panel:

Prof. Yan Sun has encouraged us to promote more clinical trials in China. Based on our own involvement and experience with many international clinical trials, Zhong Shan University has formulated a blueprint for clinical trials. Hopefully we could provide more inputs into the NCCN Guidelines in the near future.

Prof. Yi Ba, member of NCCN China Colon and Rectal Cancers Panel:

To promote the NCCN guidelines, we should include more data from local clinical trials, which are of high quality.

Prof. He Huang, member of NCCN Asia Consensus Statement Panel for CML:

In this present climate of encouraging economic growth and medical advancement, I believe we can develop high quality clinical trials in China.

A representative from Roche, Shanghai:

The mission of our company is to promote the newest pharmaceuticals and the latest medical knowledge to benefit patients. We hope that this NCCN Congress would provide a platform to collate resources to develop high quality clinical trials locally. With the assistance from “Oncology Times”, we hope more patients would know about the latest treatments and derive much benefit. Incidentally, we conduct pre-launch clinical trials to ensure that the positive results from clinical trials in Europe and the USA are applicable to Asian patients receiving similar therapies. This strategy is in alignment with the spirit of the NCCN Guidelines.

A representative from Pfizer, China:

From the two NCCN Congresses I have attended, I am happy to note that the NCCN Guidelines are increasingly being accepted by clinicians in China. As a result the standard of therapy has been elevated to another level. With the advent of video conferences, the whole of China would have greater access to the NCCN Guidelines. This would also result in greater concordance.

A representative from Bristol Myer Squibb, China:

The medical progress of any country is a combination of factors: latest diagnosis and treatments, social development, economics and patient education. This requires the co-operation and support from many parties: the clinicians, the pharmaceutical companies and the medical media.

A representative from Eli Lilly, China:

Having attended this conference, I find that the NCCN Guidelines are comprehensive, and are adapted to the local situations. NCCN not only provides continuing education for clinicians, but also patient education. This will result in better patient compliance and greater willingness of patients to participate in clinical trials so that they could derive maximum treatment benefit.

A representative from GSK, China:

I find that the results from the latest clinical trials are updated very regularly in the NCCN guidelines. This definitely benefits both clinicians and patients.

Mr. Howard Ho, CEO of EMD:

In the coming year, we plan to continue developing Asian Consensus Statements and China Editions for more disease areas, as well as start development of local NCCN Guidelines in some Asian countries. For learning purposes, video clips of the meetings and discussion forums of this NCCN Congress will be uploaded onto the NCCN website: www.nccn-asia.org to ensure greater access for clinicians. For the year 2009, there will be newer projects including guidelines and other resources for patients. In the future, we hope to develop more local NCCN guidelines and also organize visits for heads of hospitals in China to NCCN and their affiliated institutions. Hand in hand with NCCN, we hope to promote the NCCN guidelines and the ancillary products to other parts of Asia. The ultimate aim is to ensure that patients receive the latest and best therapies available.

Prof. Zefei Jiang, member of NCCN China Breast Cancer Panel:

I recommend that the Chinese version of the NCCN Guidelines be promoted to Chinese communities around the world, which include Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and parts of the US.

Prof. Xiuyi Zhi, member of NCCN China NSCLC Panel:

On a longer term basis, I suggest that we not only translate the NCCN Guidelines, but also incorporate our best practices to produce our very own China edition. Use of these Guidelines need to be promoted in the large institutions first to set an example for the smaller ones to follow. I also hope that this will be a continuing medical program so that more doctors will come to appreciate it.

Prof. Santai Song, Co-chair of NCCN China Breast Cancer Panel:

I hope that all medical institutions in China would make use of the NCCN Guidelines.