On April 25, 2026, the Asia-Pacific Thoracic Oncology Conference was held in Hong Kong, China. The conference was organized by the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Society of Medical Oncology (HKSMO). Professor Tony Mok, Dr Herbert Loong, Dr Molly Li from The Chinese University of Hong Kong serving as the chair. The conference brought together young experts from across the Asia-Pacific region, including China (Mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan), Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, providing a valuable platform for academic exchange and collaboration in the field of thoracic oncology. Professor Fang Wu was invited to give a presentation titled Emotional Distress and Cancer Immunotherapy. During the conference, Professor Fang Wu introduced the effects of emotional distress on cancer immunotherapy, discussed potential approaches to improve treatment outcomes through emotional intervention, and called for strengthened multi-center collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region to work together with young scholars to promote the development of original clinical research.

On the afternoon of April 28, the Seminar on the Top 10 Decision-Consulting Projects of the Hunan Provincial Association for Science and Technology and the Launch Meeting of the Central South University Clinical Research Zhang Xiao-qian Program were successfully held in Changsha. Supported by the decision-consulting project “Application of the Bio-Psycho-Social Medical Model in Cancer Prevention and Treatment”, Professor Fang Wu took the lead in applying for the first Central South University Clinical Research Zhang Xiao-qian Program with a focus on “Emotion and Cancer”, secured Class A funding, and the project will conduct clinical research on emotional drug intervention combined with immunotherapy (BRIO Study, NCT05979818) to explore optimized strategies for enhancing cancer immunotherapy efficacy. Professors Hu Chunhong, Wang Xiaoping and Fang Wu from The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (CSU) delivered opening remarks, while Professor Sheng Yue, Director of the Research Department of the Second Xiangya Hospital of CSU, introduced the Central South University Clinical Research Zhang Xiao-qian Program. The meeting also brought together interdisciplinary experts and principal investigators from multiple centers, who engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges on the program. As a key initiative of Central South University to advance high-quality clinical research, the Central South University Clinical Research Zhang Xiao-qian Program aims to fund approximately 100 clinical research projects, striving to produce internationally influential outcomes and cultivate high-level clinical talents.

In March 2026, the 2026 Wu Lab Undergraduate Winter Camp, hosted by the Wu Fang Research Group, drew to a successful close. Over a 28-day immersive program, nine outstanding undergraduate participants delved into the fascinating intersection of scientific research and clinical practice, embarking on a well-structured, professional and practical academic growth journey thoughtfully designed by our research group. The winter camp featured three core learning modules including group meeting attendance, outpatient clinical shadowing, and experimental scientific research training, offering a holistic academic training experience for all participants. Following the successful conclusion of the winter camp, based on a comprehensive evaluation of all participants’ performance, Zhao Suyi was awarded the title of Outstanding Participant of the 2026 Wu Lab Undergraduate Winter Camp. Based on a comprehensive assessment of each student’s performance in research and academic activities during 2025, Luo Yixin, Liu Xuecheng, and Bai Qing were awarded the title of Outstanding Students of 2025. All participants reaped substantial benefits from the winter camp experience. Zhao Suyi shared her insights: “Through this winter camp, I gained first-hand insight into the entire workflow of oncology diagnosis and treatment, deeply understood the rigor and meticulousness required in clinical practice, and recognized the crucial role of real-world data in advancing scientific research and clinical therapy. This experience not only equipped me with abundant professional knowledge and practical skills, but also

On March 12, 2026, an international online meeting of the “MDT Standardized Practice – Multidisciplinary Management Program for Lung Cancer” was successfully held. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Ziming Li from Shanghai Chest Hospital, Prof. Stephanie Saw Pei Li from the National Cancer Centre Singapore, and Prof. Fang Wu from The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. During the meeting, thoracic oncology MDT teams from The Second Xiangya Hospital, National Cancer Centre Singapore, and Shanghai Chest Hospital presented representative cases of EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Multidisciplinary experts engaged in active discussion and shared insights on diagnostic evaluation, treatment strategies, and decision-making for complex cases. This international meeting provided a valuable platform for sharing clinical experience and strengthening collaboration in multidisciplinary lung cancer care, further promoting standardized MDT practice across global institutions. 【Participating MDT Teams】 National Cancer Centre Singapore Shanghai Chest Hospital The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University

From April 25 to 30, 2025, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting was held in Chicago. At this prestigious event, the research team led by Dr. Fang Wu from the Cancer Center of the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, presented their study titled “Neoadjuvant EGFR-TKI therapy reshapes tumor immune microenvironment in resectable EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer” as a poster presentation.

On May 13th, 2024, Dr. Wu’s team published an article on Nature Medicine titled “Association between pretreatment emotional distress and immune checkpoint inhibitor response in non-small-cell lung cancer”. This original study suggests that there is an association between emotional distress and immunotherapy resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer, and proposes a new model to predict the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy combining psycho-biomarkers . Dr. Wu is the independent corresponding author of the article, Professor Hu Chunhong, Ph.D.students Zeng Yue and Li Yizheng from the Oncology Center of the Xiangya Second Hospital are co-first authors. Professors Liu Xianling, Wang Xiaoping, Zhou Jiansong, Associate Chief Physician Ma Fang, Associate Researcher Zhang Xiaojie, Attending Physicians Qiu Zhenhua, Deng Chao, and Associate Chief Nurse Xia Chunfang from the thoracic oncology MDT team at the Xiangya Second Hospital, along with statistician Liang Fei from Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University, and other multidisciplinary experts participated together in the study. Abstract Emotional distress (ED), commonly characterized by symptoms of depression and/or anxiety, is prevalent in patients with cancer. Preclinical studies suggest that ED can impair antitumor immune responses, but few clinical studies have explored its relationship with response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Here we report results from cohort 1 of the prospective observational STRESS-LUNG study, which investigated the association between ED and clinical efficacy of first-line treatment of ICIs in patients

In the latest committee election held by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), Professor Wu Fang from our hospital has been appointed as a member of the Staging and Prognostic Factors Group (SPFG). This appointment recognizes her significant contributions to lung cancer staging and treatment. As part of her new role, Professor Wu will contribute to the revision and updating of the 10th Edition of the International Lung Cancer TNM Staging System. This prestigious election not only affirms Professor Wu Fang’s expertise in precise lung cancer prevention and treatment but also underscores the growing international influence of our hospital in the field of lung cancer research. Founded in 1974, the IASLC is the world’s first and only professional academic association dedicated to the study of lung cancer and thoracic tumors. With over 10,000 members from more than 100 countries and regions, the IASLC is a global leader in advancing research, diagnosis, and treatment of lung cancer and thoracic malignancies. The SPFG plays a pivotal role in the revision and improvement of the global lung cancer staging system, with its work profoundly shaping the future of lung cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research.