Cancer is a complex disease that requires multidisciplinary combined treatment and highly personalized plans. In recent years, with breakthroughs in biotechnology and precision medicine, significant progress has been made in cancer treatment globally. As one of the leading countries in cancer treatment in Asia, China has taken the lead in integrating modern science with traditional medicine, bringing new hope to cancer patients at home and abroad.
global cancer treatment methods
Today’s cancer treatment is no longer limited to the three traditional methods of “surgery — chemotherapy — radiotherapy” but has expanded to new directions such as immunotherapy, gene therapy, and stem cell therapy. The goals are to precisely attack cancer cells, reduce toxic side effects, improve quality of life, and extend patients’ survival.
Main treatment methods include:
Surgery
Resects local tumors, commonly used for early-stage cancer.
Chemotherapy
Uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells, which can be combined with surgery or radiotherapy.
Radiotherapy
Destroys malignant cells using high-energy radiation.
Targeted therapy
Precisely attacks abnormal genes or proteins in cancer cells with minimal side effects.
Immunotherapy
Activates the human immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells.
Cell therapy
Uses modified immune cells or stem cells to repair and eliminate cancer cells. Among them, CAR-T cell therapy is the most representative, hailed as a major breakthrough in modern medicine.
Advanced Cancer Treatment Methods in China
In recent years, China has become a hub for immunotherapy and cell therapy research and application in Asia. In addition to traditional surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, major hospitals have introduced new therapies to improve efficacy and reduce side effects.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a major turning point in oncology, activating the body’s own immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells.
In China, immune checkpoint inhibitors such as PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 (e.g., Camrelizumab, Toripalimab, Sintilimab) are widely used in the treatment of lung cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, melanoma, and lymphoma.
China has established one of Asia’s strongest local immune drug R&D systems, with more reasonable treatment costs compared to Europe and the United States.
In China, immune checkpoint inhibitors such as PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 (e.g., Camrelizumab, Toripalimab, Sintilimab) are widely used in the treatment of lung cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, melanoma, and lymphoma.
China has established one of Asia’s strongest local immune drug R&D systems, with more reasonable treatment costs compared to Europe and the United States.
CAR-T Cell Therapy
CAR-T therapy is a new generation of immune cell therapy, known as a “biological weapon” for treating hematological tumors.
Principle: Extract patients’ T cells, genetically modify them to carry specific chimeric antigen receptors (CAR), and reinfuse them into the body to recognize and kill cancer cells.
Currently, China is conducting over 500 CAR-T clinical trials, second only to the United States. Representative hospitals include:
Peking Union Medical College Hospital Cancer Center: Asia’s leading CAR-T research center.
Shanghai General Hospital: Pioneered the use of CAR-T for lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
Guangzhou International Hospital: Innovatively combined CAR-T with NK cells to improve efficacy.
Peking Union Medical College Hospital Cancer Center: Asia’s leading CAR-T research center.
Shanghai General Hospital: Pioneered the use of CAR-T for lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
Guangzhou International Hospital: Innovatively combined CAR-T with NK cells to improve efficacy.
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy modifies DNA or RNA in cells to repair, replace, or eliminate cancer cells. China is at the forefront in Asia in applying CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to treat lung cancer, liver cancer, and leukemia.
Main research directions include: Oncogene silencing, Tumor suppressor gene reactivation, RNA interference(RNAi) therapy to block cancer cell growth signals.
Although most are still in clinical trials, preliminary results show significant efficacy and high safety.
Main research directions include: Oncogene silencing, Tumor suppressor gene reactivation, RNA interference(RNAi) therapy to block cancer cell growth signals.
Although most are still in clinical trials, preliminary results show significant efficacy and high safety.
Integrative Oncology
(Combination of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine)
This is a major feature of China’s oncology — organically integrating modern medicine with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Most large hospitals have integrative oncology departments, where patients can receive simultaneous treatment:
Western medicine: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted drugs.
TCM conditioning: Using herbal medicines to regulate immunity, protect the liver and kidneys, reduce side effects, and promote recovery. For example, “Fuzheng Peiyuan Formula” can improve bone marrow function after chemotherapy; injections of extracts from Ganoderma lucidum, Astragalus membranaceus, and Panax ginseng can increase white blood cell count and enhance immunity.
Most large hospitals have integrative oncology departments, where patients can receive simultaneous treatment:
Western medicine: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted drugs.
TCM conditioning: Using herbal medicines to regulate immunity, protect the liver and kidneys, reduce side effects, and promote recovery. For example, “Fuzheng Peiyuan Formula” can improve bone marrow function after chemotherapy; injections of extracts from Ganoderma lucidum, Astragalus membranaceus, and Panax ginseng can increase white blood cell count and enhance immunity.
Emerging or Investigational Therapies
In addition to mainstream directions, Chinese research institutions and hospitals are actively exploring various innovative therapies:
Hyperthermia Therapy: Uses electromagnetic waves to heat tumor areas, destroy cancer cells, and enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Proton Therapy: Precisely destroys deep tumors with high-energy proton beams while protecting surrounding healthy tissues — currently in use at the Shanghai Proton Therapy Center.
Photodynamic Therapy: Activates photosensitizing drugs with lasers to trigger oxidative reactions that kill cancer cells.
Nanomedicine: Uses nanoparticles to precisely deliver drugs or genes, improving efficacy and reducing systemic toxicity.
These cutting-edge technologies are regarded as the future of “precision oncology,” where each patient will have a personalized treatment plan.
Hyperthermia Therapy: Uses electromagnetic waves to heat tumor areas, destroy cancer cells, and enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Proton Therapy: Precisely destroys deep tumors with high-energy proton beams while protecting surrounding healthy tissues — currently in use at the Shanghai Proton Therapy Center.
Photodynamic Therapy: Activates photosensitizing drugs with lasers to trigger oxidative reactions that kill cancer cells.
Nanomedicine: Uses nanoparticles to precisely deliver drugs or genes, improving efficacy and reducing systemic toxicity.
These cutting-edge technologies are regarded as the future of “precision oncology,” where each patient will have a personalized treatment plan.
China Health Trip
Inbound Medical Services for Global Patients
China Health Trip provides one-stop medical tourism services for global patients
Formulating diagnosis and treatment plans and itineraries, assisting with medical appointments, accommodation and transportation, translation and accompaniment, and full-course care.