Researchers from the Faculty of Medicine have co-led with mainland scholars the first-ever Lancet Commission on cancer headed by Chinese academics. The landmark report reveals that more than 60% of cases worldwide are preventable through vaccination, lifestyle modification, and better clinical management.

It also predicts that global liver cancer cases could double by 2050, rising from 870,000 to 1.52 million annually, while related deaths are projected to increase from 760,000 to 1.37 million.

This is the first time in The Lancet’s 200-year history that a major cancer-related Commission has been led by Chinese scholars. They collaborated with leading liver cancer experts from Japan, France, Italy, South Korea, Spain and the United States to form the 51-strong commission.

Professor Philip Chiu (right, above), Dean of Medicine, said the invitation from The Lancet was both a “powerful recognition of CUHK’s contribution” and testament to China’s pivotal role in shaping global cancer prevention strategies.

Liver and lung cancers are both considered among the deadliest malignancies. In Hong Kong, liver cancer ranks as the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death.

Currently, over half of patients of both liver and lung cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage, leaving five-year survival rates below 30%.

Professor Stephen Chan Lam (second from left, above), first author of the Commission report and Ip’s Family Trust Professor in Clinical Oncology at CUHK, said: “Liver cancer can be deadly, but our report finds that 60% of cases are preventable — by increasing hepatitis vaccination coverage, reducing alcohol intake, and tackling metabolic risk factors such as obesity.”

“However, clinical management strategies must be tailored to regional differences. China accounts for 40% of global liver cancer cases, with 60% of those linked to hepatitis B virus infection. Therefore, enhancing hepatitis vaccination, antiviral treatment and screening of high-risk groups are the most effective prevention measures. In contrast, liver cancer in Western countries is primarily driven by metabolic-related fatty liver disease, making obesity control the top priority.”

Professor Chan, who co-led the Commission report, has recently established a regimen featuring a combination of types of immunotherapies for liver cancer, which can considerably extend the length of time that patients survive while sparing them the complications of conventional treatment. To further improve outcomes among patients with hepatobiliary pancreatic cancers, he and his team have started working on the strategy of personalising cancer treatment with predictive biomarkers.

The Commission estimates that proactive measures could cut new cases by 2–5% annually. This would prevent up to 17 million new diagnoses and 15 million deaths by 2050.

Professor Vincent Wong Wai-shun (second from right, above), Head of CU Medicine’s Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, emphasised lifestyle’s role: “Most liver cancer cases are associated with chronic liver disease. Vaccination, reduced alcohol, weight control, a healthy diet and regular exercise can all improve liver health.”

CU Medicine has established itself as a leader in liver cancer and liver disease research over the past two decades. Its teams have pioneered immunotherapy regimens, targeted drugs, radiotherapy innovations, and risk assessment tools for hepatitis B patients. They have also played a major role in drafting clinical guidelines for the Asia-Pacific.