On May 15, 2026, during the First Annual Conference of the World Ablative Therapies Association (WATA 2026), the 2nd National Nanoknife Tumor Ablation Symposium & Technical Lecture and Hands-on Training Program commenced grandly in Beijing. Multi-disciplinary ablation experts and clinical backbones from both domestic and international institutions gathered to witness this high-level, international professional training initiative.
Utilizing the platform of the WATA 2026 conference, this training program implemented a multi-dimensional pedagogical model combining "theoretical lectures, case-based teaching, phantom/model hands-on practice, and competency certification." This approach provided participants with an academic feast balancing theory and practice, bridging cutting-edge advances with foundational knowledge. The curriculum covered hot topics in irreversible electroporation (IRE/Nanoknife) therapy, including pancreatic cancer, hilar cholangiocarcinoma, prostate cancer, and thyroid tumors. Notably, it featured the debut of "Nanoknife ablation under local anesthesia," a globally leading frontier technique, fully demonstrating China's monumental leap from "following" to "leading" in the field of IRE technology.
Section 1: Strategic Vision and Masterful Leadership
Professor Yue-Yong Xiao, President of WATA and a faculty member at the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, delivered the opening remarks. He reviewed the decade-long evolution of Nanoknife technology in China. From the nation's first pancreatic cancer Nanoknife ablation in 2015 to its routine implementation in hundreds of hospitals nationwide today, IRE technology has emerged as an indispensable therapeutic tool for challenging malignancies, such as locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and liver cancers in anatomically difficult locations.
He emphasized, "The hosting of the WATA training program marks a new milestone, signifying that China's Nanoknife technology has transitioned from 'early pilot adoption' to 'standardized popularization' and is now poised to step onto the global stage."
During the subsequent opening ceremony of the "IRE Pioneer Training Course," Professor Xiao presented the course flag to the class and joined the attendees for a commemorative group photograph amidst an enthusiastic atmosphere.
Section 2: Consolidating Foundations, Refining Clinical Skills
The first session focused on the core principles and basic applications of IRE technology. Professor Ying-Hua Zou from Peking University First Hospital and Professor Bo Wang from Wuhan Union Hospital affiliated with Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, co-chaired this session.
The keynote presentation, titled"A Decade of Clinical Practice of Irreversible Electroporation in China," was delivered by Conference President Professor Yue-Yong Xiao. Beginning with the nation's first IRE ablation performed in 2015, he systematically reviewed the leapfrog development of IRE technology in China from initial exploration to maturity, and from single-center experiences to multi-center adoptions, fully demonstrating its reliability and clinical value;
Professor Zhi-Xiao Xue from Tianjin Medical University presented on"Basic Principles and Advantages of Nanoknife Ablation," elucidating the physical mechanisms and tissue-selective properties of IRE in a clear and accessible manner;
Professor Xin-Yu Xu, also from Tianjin Medical University, gave a lecture titled"Research Progress and Frontier Exploration of Nanoknife," sharing cutting-edge breakthroughs in combining IRE with immunotherapy and optimizing electric field parameters;
Professor Ying-Tian Wei from the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital delivered a lecture on"Surgical Approaches, Parameter Settings, and Electrode Placement Principles for Nanoknife Ablation in Pancreatic Cancer," providing an in-depth analysis of operative strategies, electrical parameters, and probe geometry to translate theoretical concepts into actionable clinical pathways.
Section 3: Case-Guided Technique, Illuminating Practical Pathways
The second session, titled "Hand-on Case-Based Teaching," bridged the gap between theory and practice. Professor Ming-An Yu from the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Professor Ji Tao from the Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University, and Professor Kai Wang from Xi'an Honghui Hospital served as the session moderators.
Professor Kang Zhou from Peking Union Medical College Hospital delivered a talk titled"Nanoknife Therapy for Liver Cancer from an MDT Perspective." Through two authentic case studies of hepatocellular carcinoma, he demonstrated the potential of combining IRE with targeted therapy and immunotherapy to enhance efficacy, while highlighting the multidisciplinary team (MDT) decision-making process for complex hilar tumors;
Professor Lin-Feng Xu from Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, provided a case-based lecture on"CT-Guided Nanoknife Ablation for Pancreatic Cancer." Using detailed radiological reconstructions, he walked participants through the entire workflow—from probe trajectory planning to intraoperative CT monitoring and immediate post-procedural evaluation—offering an immersive operating-room experience;
Professor Li-Zhi Niu from Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital presented on"Clinical Application of Combined Ultrasound and CT-Guided Nanoknife Ablation for Hepato-Pancreatic Tumors," sharing complementary imaging strategies that significantly enhance ablative precision.
Professor Tian-An Jiang from the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, delivered a lecture on"Clinical Application of Irreversible Electroporation in the Thyroid," offering novel insights into preserving critical neck structures;
Lastly, Professor Xiao-Bo Zhang from the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital presented"Interpretation of Post-Nanoknife Imaging and Treatment Efficacy Assessment," instructing trainees on using contrast-enhanced CT/MRI to delineate ablation margins and identify residual or recurrent disease.
Section 4: Multi-Domain Expansion, Precision Deep-Dive
The afternoon advanced curriculum expanded horizontally across multiple disciplines, including hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery and urology, while diving vertically into operational details such as anesthesia and nursing, successfully elevating the training from "comprehensive coverage" to a "precision deep-dive."
Professor Yong-Liang Chen from the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Professor Shun-Da Du from Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Professor Jun Luo from Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital served as the co-chairs for the first afternoon session. Professor Xiao-Yong Li from the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University presented on"Clinical Application of Nanoknife Therapy in Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma," demonstrating the unique therapeutic value of IRE in tackling this formidable surgical challenge.
Professor Chao-Bin He from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center presented"Clinical Application of Irreversible Electroporation and Conversion Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer," utilizing robust data to demonstrate how IRE offers renewed hope for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer;
Professor Zheng-Yin Liao from West China Hospital, Sichuan University, conducted a case-based presentation on"CT-Guided Irreversible Electroporation for Liver Cancer," sharing his team's accumulated experience and insights;
Professor Mao Yang from the Airport Hospital of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital delivered a presentation titled"Application of Nanoknife in the Comprehensive Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer." He noted that IRE, by virtue of its tissue-selective characteristics and immune-activating advantages, has become a cornerstone of multi-modality pancreatic cancer care, highlighting several successful cases ranging from palliative symptom relief to downstaging for conversion surgery.
Professor Chun-Wang Yuan from Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, and Professor Hui Sun from the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital co-chaired the second afternoon session. Professor Jing Tian from the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University lectured on"Application of Irreversible Electroporation in Focal Ablation of Prostate Cancer," focusing on focal therapy and highlighting the unique advantages of IRE in preserving urinary continence and erectile function.
Acknowledging that successful procedures depend on seamless coordination with anesthesia and nursing staff, Professor Jing Zhao from the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital shared insights on"Intraoperative Nursing for Nanoknife Procedures in the Operating Room," establishing a comprehensive, standardized nursing protocol for IRE;
Professor Ying Zhao, an expert anesthesiologist, presented on"Anesthesia and Intraoperative Monitoring for Nanoknife Ablation Therapy," providing a meticulous breakdown of preoperative preparation, intraoperative monitoring, and management strategies for common complications from an anesthesia perspective.
Professor Jing Li from the Characteristic Medical Center of the People's Armed Police Forces presented"Case Sharing and Experiences of Nanoknife Ablation under Local Anesthesia," showcasing a groundbreaking, next-generation IRE technology that permits ablation under local anesthesia. Through authentic cases, he illustrated how the proprietary "bidirectional asymmetric pulse" profile eliminates the need for muscle relaxants, ensures patient comfort, and accelerates postoperative recovery.
Section 5: Hands-on Assessment: Uniting Knowledge and Practice
The afternoon theoretical assessment and laboratory practicum brought the training program to its climax. All trainees underwent a rigorous, standardized theoretical examination, with successful candidates receiving official training certificates.
Trainees then divided into groups for the "Laboratory Practical Session." Under the mentorship of expert instructors, participants gained hands-on experience operating the Nanoknife system, performing needle punctures, probe alignments, and simulated ablations on ex vivo porcine liver specimens, as well as observing egg white ablation models. Instructors provided individualized guidance and answered queries to ensure that every participant could comprehend the principles, master the techniques, and independently execute the procedures.
Section 6: Building on Past Achievements, Forging Ahead into the Future
The curriculum of this training course was characterized by its systematic structure and practical orientation, spanning critical oncology fields such as pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, hilar cholangiocarcinoma, prostate cancer, and thyroid tumors. It offered both a comprehensive retrospective of a decade's experience and forward-looking explorations into frontiers like local-anesthesia IRE and combination immunotherapy. Participants noted that the training "exceeded expectations across the board, from theoretical principles to hands-on techniques, and from case analyses to clinical guidelines."
Moving forward, the Interventional Minimally Invasive Therapy Committee of the China Association for Medical Education will continue to leverage its platform to promote widespread adoption through education and guarantee safety through standardization. This initiative will empower more clinicians to master the Nanoknife—a tool akin to "precision bomb disposal"—and allow a greater number of cancer patients to benefit from this accurate, minimally invasive, and safe therapeutic modality.
Section 7: Chinese Expertise, Shared Globally
As an integral component of the First Annual Conference of the World Ablative Therapies Association (WATA 2026), this training program featured fully bilingual presentation materials, highlighting the depth and breadth of international academic exchange. Leading global experts in tumor ablation witnessed the remarkable achievements of Chinese IRE technology.
This aligned with the conference consensus: Chinese tumor ablation techniques, epitomized by the Nanoknife, have become a signature hallmark in the international ablation arena. Through continuous systematic and standardized training, Chinese expertise is rapidly expanding worldwide, benefiting an increasing number of cancer patients globally.
The successful execution of this training program fully demonstrates China's profound technological expertise and leading international academic standing in the domain of irreversible electroporation. As a benchmark flagship initiative within the industry, the Nanoknife Tumor Ablation Training Program will continue to disseminate cutting-edge, standardized clinical experience in ablation therapy, promoting the global adoption of indigenous Chinese innovations and contributing Chinese strength to the field of global minimally invasive tumor therapy.
