大医生｜樊东升：与万名“渐冻人”并肩寻药

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant contributions of Dr. Fan Dongsheng in the research and treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, emphasizing the hope brought by new drug trials and the importance of patient involvement in clinical research [1][2][4]. Group 1: Dr. Fan Dongsheng's Contributions - Dr. Fan Dongsheng is a leading expert in ALS research in China, having treated over 10,000 patients and established the world's largest ALS patient database with over 5,000 entries [2][3]. - He emphasizes the importance of providing hope to patients while being honest about their conditions, often reassuring them about their overall health status [3][4]. - Dr. Fan has been involved in the development of new drug trials, which have become a source of hope for patients who have exhausted other treatment options [5][8]. Group 2: New Drug Trials and Research - Recently, Dr. Fan has led multiple clinical trials for new ALS drugs at Peking University Third Hospital, including a drug developed in collaboration with Tsinghua University, which received approval for clinical trials in August 2023 [8][9]. - There are currently nearly 10 ALS drug trials underway at the hospital, including both international and domestic drug development efforts [10][11]. - The article notes that ALS drug development is particularly challenging, with only a few drugs successfully reaching the market in the past decades, highlighting the need for continued research and investment in this area [10][11]. Group 3: Patient Involvement and Data Collection - Dr. Fan has established a new data platform that allows ALS patients to upload their health information, significantly increasing the amount of real-time data available for research [21][24]. - The platform has collected over ten thousand data points, doubling the previous data collected over two decades, which aids in the rapid recruitment of patients for clinical trials [21][24]. - The article emphasizes the importance of precise patient selection for clinical trials, as different ALS subtypes may respond differently to treatments, thus improving the success rates of trials [12][14]. Group 4: Community and Advocacy - Many of Dr. Fan's patients have become advocates for ALS awareness and research, contributing to community support and fundraising efforts [17][20]. - The article highlights the role of patients like Liu Jijun and Cai Lei in promoting ALS research and support networks, showcasing the impact of patient-led initiatives [17][20]. - Dr. Fan's approach to patient care includes not only medical treatment but also fostering a supportive community among ALS patients, which is crucial for their mental and emotional well-being [16][18].