Expansion of Heavy Ion Therapy Targets and Broadening of Clinical and Translational Research
Yonsei Cancer Hospital has announced a paradigm shift in cancer treatment, marking the full-scale operation of its heavy ion therapy machine in the second half of this year. The hospital is set to establish an advanced system that encompasses the entire cancer lifecycle by launching a comprehensive cancer treatment platform that covers all stages, from clinical trials for new drugs and translational research to multidisciplinary care, robotic surgery, and AI and big data-driven precision medicine.
Chinseop Choi, director of Yonsei Cancer Hospital, is speaking at a press conference held on the 17th at the Alumni Hall of Yonsei University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonsei Medical Center
At a press conference held on the 17th at the Alumni Hall of Yonsei University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Chinseop Choi, director of Yonsei Cancer Hospital, stated, "With 56 years of experience in cancer treatment and relentless innovation, Yonsei Cancer Hospital is pioneering a new future for cancer care," adding, "By fully operating the heavy ion therapy machine, we will complete an all-encompassing cancer treatment system that integrates new drug therapies, translational research, and robotic surgery."
Since opening in 1969 as Korea's first specialized cancer treatment institution, Yonsei Cancer Hospital has made significant advances, including the introduction of linear accelerators, successful bone marrow transplants, and the adoption of robotic surgery and heavy ion therapy machines. Notably, in the field of research, the hospital was the only Korean institution named among the 'World's Top 100 Cancer Research Institutes' by Nature.
Expansion of Heavy Ion Therapy... Broadening the Frontlines of Lung, Liver, and Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Yonsei Cancer Hospital has achieved survival rates for difficult-to-treat cancers such as lung, liver, and pancreatic cancer that exceed the national average. The survival rate for lung cancer is in the 40% range, for liver cancer in the high 30% range, and for pancreatic cancer in the mid-10% range, all surpassing the national averages.
These results are attributed to patient-tailored treatment strategies, active clinical trials for new drugs, and the integration of heavy ion therapy. Heavy ion therapy is emerging as a new alternative for patients who are elderly or have underlying health conditions that make conventional treatments difficult. The heavy ion therapy machine eliminates cancer cells by injecting carbon ions into a large particle accelerator and precisely targeting them at the speed of light.
Since 2023, Yonsei Cancer Hospital has applied heavy ion therapy to patients with prostate and lung cancer. The hospital is also providing curative treatments for liver cancer patients. In the second half of the year, Yonsei Cancer Hospital will add one more therapy machine, operating a total of three, and expand the range of cancers treated to include head and neck cancer and osteosarcoma.
Director Choi stated, "We are achieving positive results by combining heavy ion therapy with conventional treatments for cancers that were previously difficult to approach," and emphasized, "Moving forward, we will expand its application to patients with oligometastatic or locally advanced cancers to maximize treatment outcomes."
Expanding Beyond Cancer Treatment to 'Cancer Lifecycle Care'
The cancer treatment strategy at Yonsei Cancer Hospital goes beyond simple surgery or chemotherapy. The hospital is building a support system that covers the entire cancer lifecycle, from diagnosis and treatment to recovery, recurrence management, and improving the quality of life for terminal patients.
Chinseop Choi, director of Yonsei Cancer Hospital, is speaking at a press conference held on the 17th at the Alumni Hall of Yonsei University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonsei Medical Center
To achieve this, the hospital operates five specialized centers: the Cancer Prevention Center, Cancer Information Center, Personalized Treatment Center, Scar Plastic Laser Center, and Palliative Care Center. Each center provides physical and psychological support tailored to the patient's disease stage and creates an integrated treatment ecosystem through close collaboration.
Robotic surgery capabilities are also being strengthened. In 2023, Yonsei Cancer Hospital became the first in the world to reach 40,000 robotic surgeries and has developed robotic surgical techniques recognized as international standards. This year, the hospital plans to further enhance its surgical capabilities by introducing a fifth-generation Da Vinci robotic surgical system.
The hospital is also leading in AI and big data-based precision medicine. Yonsei Cancer Hospital utilizes the cancer-specialized big data platform 'CONNECT,' established in collaboration with the National Cancer Center and others. The hospital has developed AI technology that predicts immunotherapy responses through analysis of tissue pathology images, increasing prediction accuracy by up to 15%. Recently, research has also begun on precision medicine that integrates quantum computing technology.
Clinical trials for new drugs and translational research aimed at overcoming hard-to-treat cancers are also active. Since opening a dedicated ward for clinical trials of new drugs in 2014, Yonsei Cancer Hospital has conducted global clinical trials and strengthened its new drug development capabilities through partnerships with multinational pharmaceutical companies.
More than 120 clinical experts are involved in pancreatic cancer treatment alone, and the hospital holds the highest number of clinical cases in this field in Korea. Director Choi emphasized, "A platform that combines multidisciplinary collaboration, clinical trials for new drugs, and precision medicine, rather than a single treatment, is changing patient survival rates."
Yonsei Cancer Hospital is evolving from a simple 'treatment institution' to a 'cancer lifecycle platform' that integrates prevention, diagnosis, treatment, management, and recovery. With patient-centered personalized care and world-class clinical and research infrastructure, the hospital aims to become a leader in cancer treatment both in Korea and internationally.
Director Choi stated, "As Korea's first cancer center, Yonsei Cancer Hospital has led new treatment paradigms such as heavy ion therapy and robotic surgery," and added, "We will continue to advance our world-class research and treatment platform so that patients can experience the highest value in medical care."
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