核医学领域的 “追光者”

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the achievements of researcher Di Cuixia in the field of heavy ion cancer therapy, emphasizing her innovative contributions and dedication to bridging basic research with clinical needs [1][3]. Group 1: Career Development - Di Cuixia transitioned from a background in plant science to tumor radiotherapy, leveraging her expertise in antibody preparation to make significant strides in cancer research [2][3]. - After returning to China in 2010, she joined the Institute of Modern Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, focusing on heavy ion therapy, which was emerging as a leading technology in cancer treatment [2][3]. Group 2: Research Focus - Di Cuixia's research centers on the mechanisms of heavy ion-induced apoptosis in cancer cells, expanding into areas such as radiation sensitizers, overcoming radiotherapy resistance, and personalized radiotherapy [3][4]. - She has successfully secured multiple research grants, including projects from the National Natural Science Foundation and the Ministry of Science and Technology, to support her innovative research [3][4]. Group 3: Clinical Collaboration - Di Cuixia emphasizes the importance of aligning basic research with clinical needs, actively seeking collaborations with hospitals to obtain clinical samples and data [3][4]. - Her efforts have led to strong partnerships with institutions like Lanzhou University First Hospital and the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, facilitating joint research initiatives [4][5]. Group 4: Innovations and Achievements - Di Cuixia has identified the issue of radiotherapy resistance as a critical challenge and is developing radiation sensitizers to enhance the efficacy of conventional radiotherapy [5]. - Preliminary results indicate that these sensitizers can increase tumor cell sensitivity to conventional radiation, potentially addressing a significant barrier in cancer treatment [5]. Group 5: Outreach and Education - In addition to her research, Di Cuixia is committed to science popularization, engaging with schoolchildren to inspire interest in science through hands-on experiments and relatable explanations [6]. - She believes in the vast potential for growth in the field of nuclear medicine in China, where only 20-30% of cancer patients currently receive radiotherapy compared to 70% in the United States [6].