The 9th International Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, co-organized by the Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Expert Committee of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), the Guangdong Anti-Cancer Association, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC), was successfully convened on December 12-13, 2025. The hybrid event, combining both in-person and virtual formats, attracted 89 participants, including 81 domestic representatives and 8 international experts.

The symposium was held under the honorary presidency of Prof. Lin Tianxin, Vice President of Sun Yat-sen University and President of The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, and Prof. Rui-Hua Xu, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, President of SYSUCC. The conference chairs were Prof. Ma Jun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Executive Vice President of SYSUCC, Prof. Brigette Ma from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Prof. A. Dimitrios Colevas from Stanford University, USA. The meeting featured renowned global specialists in head and neck oncology, including Prof. Sophie Huang from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto; Prof. Sue S. Yom from University of California; Prof. Tao Yungan from Gustave Roussy Institute, France; Prof. Kevin Harrington from The Institute of Cancer Research, UK; Prof. Jonathan D. Schoenfeld from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, USA; and Prof. Lachlan McDowell from Princess Alexandra Hospital, Australia.

Over two intensive days, the symposium facilitated in-depth discussions on basic, clinical, and translational research in head and neck tumors. Key topics included comprehensive treatment and immunotherapy for head and neck cancers and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), NPC staging, management of special NPC cases, and advancements in radiotherapy techniques.

Major Outcomes:
The symposium yielded significant consensus and insights across several frontiers:

• Treatment Strategies: Experts shared the latest clinical advances in managing locally advanced NPC and head and neck cancers. Discussions highlighted the evolving role of immunotherapy and the promising future of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) in NPC treatment.

• Radiotherapy Advancements: Future strategies for target volume delineation in NPC radiotherapy, emphasizing toxicity reduction, were explored. The conference also covered cutting-edge radiotherapy technologies, including proton and heavy-ion therapy, offering new avenues for treatment.

• NPC Staging: The evolution and critical importance of accurate NPC staging for clinical outcomes were addressed, contributing to the ongoing refinement of staging standards.

• Standardization of Biomarkers: Progress and future trends in standardizing EBV-DNA testing were reviewed, underscoring its vital role in early diagnosis, staging, and follow-up monitoring of NPC.

Impact and Future Directions:
The symposium garnered widespread attention from clinicians and researchers worldwide. It underscored a future direction toward highly personalized, precision medicine in head and neck oncology. Key trends identified include:

• Tailoring treatment based on individual genetic profiles, viral load, and immune status to maximize benefit and avoid overtreatment.

• The growing importance of ADCs and immunotherapy, especially in combination with radiotherapy, to improve survival for advanced-stage patients.

• The adoption of advanced radiotherapy technologies like proton therapy to minimize side effects and enhance patients' quality of life.

• The potential of AI-assisted decision support systems to enable more precise treatment planning.

• The essential role of continued global collaboration in driving innovation, optimizing therapies, and improving outcomes for patients worldwide.

The 9th International Head and Neck Cancer Symposium served as a pivotal platform for knowledge exchange, fostering international cooperation aimed at advancing the fight against head and neck cancers.

Written by: Liao Shuang, Zhai Huiwen, International Office at SYSUCC