IASLC and Pfizer Announce HOPE Project Grant Recipients to Advance Lung Cancer Care in China

October 2025 – The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), in partnership with Pfizer, is proud to announce the recipients of the Healthcare Optimization and Patient Equity for Lung Cancer in China ("HOPE") Grants. This new initiative supports independent quality improvement (QI) projects aimed at reducing regional disparities and improving equity of care for lung cancer patients in China.

According to Angelo Carter, International Medical Grant Lead, Pfizer, "We aim not only to educate but also to benefit more patients through practical actions. The collaboration between Pfizer and the IASLC has set a precedent in the field of lung cancer in China, and we look forward to continuing to lead future initiatives."

A highly competitive application pool was reviewed by a nine-member international expert panel led by Prof. Caicun Zhou, MD, PhD, IASLC President, who noted, "We've identified challenges and gaps … and while we cannot solve any of these alone, together we can solve problems, close gaps, share resources and care for our NSCLC patients!"

Six projects have been selected for 24 months of funding:

• Guangdong Medical Education Association – A Quality Improvement Study on ALK-Positive NSCLC Diagnosis and Treatment Empowered by Intelligent Technology and Shared Decision-Making, led by Xiaohong Xie, MD. Developing an AI-powered system to improve care for ALK-positive NSCLC patients in China. The platform will support shared decision-making, provide clinical reminders to primary care doctors, and create an intelligent patient management system that tracks side effects and issues alerts. Piloted in 12 hospitals, the project aims to make treatment more consistent, patient-centered, and equitable.
• China Anti-Cancer Association – Address Healthcare Disparities and Ensure Equitable Standardized Lung Cancer Care in China QI Program, led by Fei Zhou, MD, Ph.D. Addressing gaps in guideline adherence and physician training, this project will develop a national cultivation program for young doctors. By standardizing practice, improving diagnosis and treatment proficiency, and reducing regional disparities, it seeks to enhance healthcare equity and long-term outcomes for NSCLC patients across China.
• Nanjing University – Artificial Intelligence Assists Quality Improvement in the Diagnosis and Treatment of ALK-Positive NSCLC, led by Tangfeng Lv, MD, Ph.D. Integrating multidimensional data (imaging, pathology, biomarkers, demographics) into an AI-driven model to improve diagnosis, personalize treatments, and monitor therapeutic efficacy for ALK-positive NSCLC. This approach aims to advance precision medicine and provide real-time clinical support for both physicians and patients.
• China Anti-Cancer Association – Precise-III NSCLC QI Program, led by Professor Zhengfei Zhu, MD. Launching the PRECISE-III Quality Improvement Program to standardize care for stage III NSCLC across China. The initiative will develop practical clinical pathways, expand education for healthcare providers, and center the patient journey to ensure more consistent, high-quality, and hopeful outcomes for patients nationwide.
• Beijing Association of Oncology – Establishing, Implementing, and Evaluating Hierarchical Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Standards for Lung Cancer in China, led by Professor Jie Wang, MD. Creating China's first hierarchical Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) standards to bring team-based cancer care beyond major hospitals and into provincial and primary care centers. The project will produce standardized tools, checklists, and guidelines, ensuring that MDT-based care reaches more patients, potentially influencing national hospital quality policies.
• Fujian Social Services Association of Medical Staff – Plan-Do-Study-Act Quality Improvement Project for Lung Cancer in China, led by Bin Zheng, MD. Introducing a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle to improve early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Piloted in one province, the project trains doctors to deliver more consistent, effective care. If successful, it could scale nationally, serving as a model for improving detection and standardized care across China.

These initiatives aim to improve patient outcomes, strengthen healthcare equity, empower physicians and patients, and develop scalable models that can inform national cancer care policy.

This marks the first HOPE Grant collaboration between IASLC and Pfizer, reflecting a shared commitment to advance cancer prevention, enhance treatments, and reduce the burden of care in China.