2026 Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Symposium in Shenzhen
From August 13 to 15, 2026, the 2026 Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Symposium was held in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. Organized by the Chinese Medical Journal Publishing House with academic support from the Pediatrics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and the editorial board of the Chinese Journal of Pediatrics, and co-hosted by Shenzhen Children's Hospital, the event brought together leading experts in pediatric hematology and oncology from across China for in-depth exchange on basic science and clinical practice.
Jingdu's Research: A New Salvage Pathway for Treatment-Resistant HLH
Dr. Jiang Fan, Associate Chief Physician of the Hematology & Oncology Department at Beijing Jingdu Children's Hospital, was invited to deliver a keynote presentation titled "Efficacy Analysis of Low-Dose Long-Course Etoposide (VP16) Induction Regimen for Refractory/Relapsed Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis".
The Clinical Challenge: When Standard HLH Protocols Fail
In her address, Dr. Jiang Fan explained that Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome caused by genetic or acquired immune dysregulation. Current standard treatments — including the HLH-94/HLH-04 protocols, the L-DEP regimen, and emapalumab monoclonal antibody therapy — have raised remission rates from under 10% historically to approximately 70% today.
However, roughly 30% of patients still do not respond to these standard protocols, and there is currently no universally recommended salvage therapy — neither domestically nor internationally.
Key Findings of the Study
- Protocol: Low-dose, long-course etoposide (VP16) induction as salvage therapy
- Efficacy: Effectively controls acute inflammatory storms in refractory/relapsed HLH
- Safety: Balances therapeutic effect with tolerable toxicity profile
- Bridge function: Stabilizes organ function as a high-quality bridge to intensified consolidation therapy and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)
Clinical Significance: Bridging to Cure
Facing this unmet clinical need, Prof. Sun Yuan and her team explored the value of the low-dose long-course VP16 induction regimen as a salvage approach for children with refractory or relapsed HLH. Their conclusions demonstrate that this protocol achieves an optimal balance between efficacy and safety:
- It effectively controls the acute inflammatory storm characteristic of refractory/relapsed HLH;
- It helps stabilize organ function during the critical pre-transplant window;
- Most importantly, it serves as a high-quality bridging therapy that prepares patients for subsequent intensive consolidation and curative allogeneic HSCT.
This research provides a new evidence-based treatment option for children with refractory/relapsed HLH who have exhausted standard therapies.
About Beijing Jingdu Children's Hospital Hematology & Oncology Team
In recent years, under the leadership of Prof. Sun Yuan (Director of Beijing Jingdu Children's Hospital), the hospital's hematology and oncology team has been deeply committed to advancing diagnosis and treatment in pediatric blood cancers and rare diseases. Dr. Jiang Fan's presentation at this national-level academic conference further demonstrates the hospital's clinical strength in HLH management and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Beijing Jingdu Children's Hospital will continue to participate in high-level academic exchange platforms, driving continuous improvement in the standard of care for children with hematologic and oncologic conditions worldwide.
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