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In 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy called for “a new frontier,” mankind was able to stand on the Moon. Thus, even a single proposer can realize the “New Frontier”. The momentum continues to the present in the 21st century. The scientific and technological benefits that humanity has enjoyed during this period are immeasurable.
On the other hand, there exists another “new frontier” on the earth. In 2022, President Biden also proposed a vision for the eradication of cancer, following 10 years of work together by volunteers in Japan and the Government of Japan since 2015. “Cancer Eradication” is now one of the themes for building a sustainable future for ”the society where life shines brightly”.
The program discusses cutting-edge biotechnologies and innovations needed to move from “conquering cancer” to “eradicating cancer,” as well as the economic environment that will support these efforts. The program brings together Nobel laureates and researchers in cutting-edge medicine from Japan and abroad, as well as experts representing industry, government, and academia. This summit is designing a vision for the future in a cross-discussion.

【Reflection】
The summit consisted of four parts: guest addresses, a keynote lecture, a talk session, and a declaration announcement.

To begin, the guest address featured then-Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, Mr. Masafumi Mori, and Governor of Osaka Prefecture, Mr. Hirofumi Yoshimura, who spoke about the current state and challenges of medical policy, as well as their hopes for cancer eradication.

In the keynote lecture, Dr. Toshiaki Sunazuka, President of Kitasato University, explained the importance of natural product drug discovery. He particularly highlighted the potential of ivermectin to reduce side effects when used in combination with anticancer drugs, offering a new perspective for future clinical applications.

The main talk session, themed “What is the Future Strategy for Cancer Eradication?”, featured discussions on personalized medicine, AI utilization, and innovations in clinical trials.
Professor Mark J. Ratain of the University of Chicago presented research findings on the effectiveness and reduced side effects of low-dose chemotherapy, emphasizing the need for optimal treatment tailored to each patient. Professor Chak-Sing Lau, Vice-President of the University of Hong Kong, introduced Hong Kong’s practical systems for prevention and diagnosis, including the utilization of long-term medical data through the development of electronic health records and the adoption of AI-based imaging diagnostic technologies.
Dr. Sujuan Ba, Chair of the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR), pointed out that more than half of the world’s cancer patients are concentrated in Asia. She stressed the need for international expansion and improved efficiency in clinical trials through the introduction of the innovative “GBM Agile” trial framework.

Through these discussions, participants shared the understanding that medical progress requires not only scientific and technological advancements but also collaboration with political and administrative sectors. The summit chair, Prof. George Hara, advocated for healthcare system reform based on the principles of public interest capitalism and emphasized the importance of creating a societal framework for tackling cancer eradication.
In conclusion, a shared recognition emerged among participants that “cancer eradication is not a national issue, but one that can only be achieved through international cooperation.” The summit concluded with the announcement of the “World Cancer Eradication: Osaka-Kansai Expo Declaration 2025” was announced.

Through this summit, the sharing of concrete research findings by experts deepened participants' understanding and demonstrated the potential for collaboration among government, industry, and research institutions. We recognize that this has laid the groundwork for future policy development and discussions on healthcare system reform.
Furthermore, we observed heightened interest in advanced medical technologies, such as personalized cancer treatment and AI utilization, along with a growing enthusiasm among participants for practical applications.
We believe understanding of the international clinical trial framework has advanced, clarifying the role Japan should play as a hub in Asia.

【Post EXPO Initiatives】
After the summit, we will compile the insights and perspectives shared by leading medical doctors and researchers from around the world and apply them to our future initiatives, with the aim of benefiting as many cancer patients as possible. We will also strive to further strengthen global collaboration and raise awareness of cutting-edge efforts toward the eradication of cancer—not only in Japan, but around the world.

At the summit, key topics included alleviating the pain and burden on patients, strategic cancer prevention and early detection, and the rapid delivery of promising treatments to those in need. These discussions also brought to light underlying challenges such as the high cost of anti-cancer drugs, the need for greater investment in research and education, and issues within the drug approval system.

Addressing these challenges is essential to realizing the theme of Expo 2025, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” as well as the vision advocated by the chairman, Prof. George Hara: “a society in which all citizens remain healthy until just before fulfilling their natural lifespan.”

Moving forward, we will continue working in partnership with the co-organizer, the Alliance Forum Foundation, to build and institutionalize fair systems and frameworks that ensure equitable access for all. Our goal is to swiftly deliver medical care, advanced technologies, and vital information to every patient in need, further advancing cancer treatment and its integration into society—and ultimately accelerating our efforts toward the eradication of cancer.

Alliance Forum Foundation