Medical Library | Shanghai Oncology and Innovative Treatment Series
Ruijin Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, is one of Shanghai's leading academic centers for hematologic malignancies, gastrointestinal surgery, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer. Its clinical and translational programs combine large patient cohorts with cellular therapy, bispecific antibodies, perioperative treatment, precision surgery, and therapeutic vaccine research.
This Medical Library review examines five representative teams and programs based on the 2025–2026 information provided. It also explains how international patients can prepare for a specialist consultation and work with CMCS to clarify whether an innovative treatment is appropriate for their diagnosis.
1. Hematology and Lymphoma: Building a New Treatment Sequence for Aggressive and Relapsed Disease
Lead: Professor Zhao Weili
Focus: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, CAR-T therapy, bispecific antibodies, and chemotherapy-free strategies.
Modern lymphoma treatment is moving toward more precise risk classification and a wider range of immune-based therapies. The Ruijin lymphoma program combines clinical evidence in Asian patient populations with the development and evaluation of new bispecific antibody and cellular therapy approaches. Patients seeking an overview of specialist treatment pathways may also consult our Leukemia and Lymphoma Treatment in Shanghai guide.
Key 2025–2026 milestones
- First-line double-hit DLBCL: The DEB study, reported in JAMA in April 2026, showed positive results for chidamide combined with R-CHOP in first-line treatment of double-hit DLBCL.
- New bispecific development: PSB202, a CD20/CD37 bispecific antibody, entered a Phase I study in June 2026.
- Relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma: A bispecific antibody listed in the source material as having received approval in China in May 2026 became available for relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma.
The program is described in the supplied materials as a Chinese benchmark for lymphoma clinical research, combining Asian CAR-T evidence with domestic bispecific antibody development. The broader strategic direction is to improve the first-line treatment of biologically high-risk disease while creating options that may reduce reliance on conventional chemotherapy in selected settings.
What patients should ask about lymphoma innovation
When discussing CAR-T or a bispecific antibody, patients should ask which disease stage and treatment line the therapy is approved for, whether the tumor expresses the relevant target, whether the treatment is standard care or part of a clinical study, and how cytokine-release syndrome, neurotoxicity, infections, cytopenias, and other risks will be monitored.
A promising clinical program is not automatically appropriate for every patient. The decision depends on pathology, molecular risk, previous treatment, organ function, disease burden, performance status, and the availability of a specialist team experienced in managing treatment-related complications.
Team profile: A lymphoma program linking CAR-T evidence, first-line risk-adapted therapy, and next-generation domestic bispecific antibodies.
2. Hematology and Leukemia: CAR-NK for Myeloid Malignancies
Lead: Professor Li Junmin
Focus: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), KMT2A-rearranged leukemia, CAR-NK therapy, and Menin-targeted treatment.
Myeloid leukemias remain difficult to treat when the disease relapses, becomes resistant, or carries high-risk molecular features. Unlike many B-cell malignancies, AML does not have one universally effective target shared across all patients. This has encouraged research into new antigens, engineered natural killer cells, and targeted agents for genetically defined subgroups.
At the 2026 European Hematology Association Congress, the program reported an approach using umbilical-cord-blood-derived natural killer cells and an mRNA-lipid nanoparticle system to construct CLL-1-targeted CAR-NK cells for AML. The project is described as an early-phase clinical program.
CAR-NK therapy is being explored as a potential alternative or complement to CAR-T. Natural killer cells may offer different manufacturing and safety characteristics, but the clinical evidence remains early. Patients should ask whether the product is being used within a clinical trial, how persistence and response are measured, and what options exist if the disease does not respond.
The program's other distinctive direction is Menin-targeted therapy, which is relevant to selected molecular subgroups including some KMT2A-rearranged leukemias. Molecular testing and expert interpretation are essential before considering a targeted approach.
Team profile: An early-development leukemia program combining cellular therapy, emerging manufacturing technology, and molecularly targeted treatment for myeloid disease.
3. Gastrointestinal Surgery: Treating Gastric Cancer with Peritoneal Metastasis
Lead: Professor Zhu Zhenggang, with Yan Chao as a key team member
Focus: Gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis, conversion treatment, and intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
Peritoneal metastasis is one of the most difficult patterns of spread in gastric cancer. The disease may be distributed across the abdominal lining, making it challenging to measure accurately, remove completely, or treat with systemic therapy alone. A practical treatment plan often requires coordinated work by gastric surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and specialists in intraperitoneal therapy.
According to the information provided, the DRAGON-01 Phase III study was published in JAMA Oncology in May 2026. The study evaluated intraperitoneal plus intravenous paclitaxel combined with S-1 for gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis, with a reported median overall survival of 19.4 months. It was described as a completed Phase III randomized controlled trial.
This direction is important because it aims to bring a difficult peritoneal-disease population into a more structured treatment pathway. Intraperitoneal treatment may expose tumor deposits within the abdominal cavity to therapy, while intravenous treatment addresses disease beyond the peritoneum. Whether the approach is appropriate depends on disease distribution, peritoneal cancer index, overall health, nutritional status, organ function, and the experience of the treating center.
Our related Gastric and Colorectal Cancer Treatment in Shanghai Medical Library article provides broader background on multidisciplinary gastrointestinal cancer care.
Team profile: A gastric cancer program that has taken combined intraperitoneal and systemic treatment for peritoneal metastasis into Phase III randomized evidence.
4. Pancreatic Cancer: Exploring a Personalized Neoantigen mRNA Vaccine
Lead: Professor Shen Baiyong
Focus: Pancreatic cancer surgery and systemic treatment, with personalized mRNA neoantigen vaccines.
Pancreatic cancer has a high risk of recurrence even after apparently successful surgery. The disease's immune environment and molecular heterogeneity have led researchers to explore individualized vaccines designed around neoantigens identified in a patient's tumor.
The supplied information describes an oral presentation at the 2026 ASCO Clinical Science Symposium involving XP-004, a personalized neoantigen mRNA vaccine in a Phase I study. Among 16 postoperative patients, the report described nearly 10 months without recurrence and a 100% immune-response rate. It was characterized as a first-in-class design using a vaccine alone as adjuvant therapy without chemotherapy.
These findings are scientifically interesting but should be interpreted carefully. The sample size is small, follow-up is short, and early immune responses do not automatically establish long-term clinical benefit. Patients should ask whether the study is still investigational, how recurrence is defined, whether there is a comparison group, and how the vaccine is manufactured and matched to the individual's tumor.
For additional patient-oriented background, see our pancreatic cancer treatment guide featuring Professor Shen Baiyong at Ruijin Hospital. A broader guide to pancreatic cancer treatment in Shanghai for international patients may also help families prepare for a specialist consultation.
Team profile: A pancreatic cancer program exploring whether personalized mRNA vaccination can complement surgery and reduce recurrence without conventional adjuvant chemotherapy in a carefully selected research population.
5. Breast Oncology: Intensifying TNBC Treatment and Expanding HER2 Blockade
Team: The RJBC clinical research series
Focus: Adjuvant therapy for triple-negative breast cancer and neoadjuvant treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer.
The RJBC program is studying how treatment intensity and targeted combinations can improve outcomes in biologically distinct breast cancer subtypes. According to the information provided, the RJBC 1501 Phase III study reported results in January 2026. Sequential epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel, with or without carboplatin, was associated with a three-year disease-free survival rate of 92.3% in the reported treatment setting.
The program is also evaluating TPPy, a triple HER2-blockade strategy, in a Phase II study. HER2-positive breast cancer treatment decisions may involve the tumor's HER2 status, hormone-receptor status, stage, response to preoperative therapy, cardiac function, and the availability of approved targeted agents.
Patients can review our broader Breast Cancer Treatment in Shanghai Medical Library guide and our dedicated triple-negative breast cancer treatment article when preparing questions about subtype-specific treatment.
Team profile: A breast oncology research program combining intensified adjuvant treatment for TNBC with multi-agent HER2 blockade in earlier-stage disease.
6. How to Interpret These Innovation Programs
The five Ruijin programs address different clinical needs:
- Lymphoma: improving high-risk first-line treatment and expanding CAR-T and bispecific antibody options.
- Leukemia: developing new cell therapies and molecularly targeted approaches for myeloid disease.
- Gastric cancer: combining intraperitoneal and systemic treatment for peritoneal metastasis.
- Pancreatic cancer: exploring individualized neoantigen vaccination after surgery.
- Breast cancer: refining adjuvant TNBC treatment and neoadjuvant HER2 blockade.
Patients should distinguish between a conference presentation, an early-phase study, a completed randomized trial, regulatory approval, and routine clinical availability. The level of evidence, treatment indication, eligibility criteria, and local access can be different in each case.
7. How CMCS Helps International Patients Discuss Innovative Treatment with Specialists
For an international patient considering oncology treatment in Shanghai, the most useful first step is to match the clinical question with the right specialist team. China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) is a health management and medical coordination service that helps patients connect with specialist doctors and hospital resources in Shanghai. CMCS is not a hospital and does not independently diagnose or prescribe treatment.
Before a consultation, CMCS can help organize pathology, immunohistochemistry, genetic testing, imaging, operative reports, previous treatment records, medication history, treatment response, laboratory results, and current symptoms. For overseas patients, these records can be arranged into a concise English medical summary so the specialist can understand the diagnosis and treatment timeline efficiently.
CMCS can help patients prepare focused questions such as:
- Is the proposed treatment approved for this diagnosis, disease stage, and treatment line?
- Does the patient's pathology or molecular testing support the proposed drug, cellular therapy, vaccine, or operation?
- Is the treatment standard care, part of a clinical trial, off-label, or still investigational?
- What evidence supports the treatment, and how does it compare with the current standard of care?
- What are the main risks, contraindications, monitoring requirements, and possible alternatives?
- For surgery, what are the expected effects on cancer control, complications, recovery, and long-term function?
During the consultation, CMCS can assist with appointment coordination, medical interpretation, communication between the patient and the care team, and clarification of the doctor's recommendations. Afterward, a case manager can help organize the proposed next steps, identify additional records or tests, clarify the follow-up plan, and coordinate further communication with the hospital.
The final treatment decision must be made by the patient and the treating medical team. CMCS does not independently select an innovative medicine or procedure. Its role is to help the patient bring complete information to the right specialist and ensure that the indication, evidence, risks, alternatives, access, and monitoring plan are discussed clearly.
To learn more about oncology consultations and treatment coordination in Shanghai, contact CMCS:
Email: contract@medicalsh.com
WhatsApp: Contact CMCS on WhatsApp
Website: medicalsh.com
Conclusion
The Ruijin Hospital programs reviewed here show how modern oncology is expanding across several fronts: immune-based lymphoma treatment, CAR-NK development for leukemia, combined therapy for gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis, individualized pancreatic cancer vaccination, and subtype-specific breast cancer treatment.
For patients, the goal is not to pursue every new technology, but to determine which evidence-based option fits the diagnosis, stage, molecular profile, previous treatment, health status, and personal goals. This article was prepared from the team and program information provided for editorial use. Research milestones, approval status, and clinical data should be confirmed through the hospital, research team, regulatory authorities, and formally published studies. This article is for medical education only and is not individualized medical advice.
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