Aim: This study aimed to clarify the actual status of clinical trials and translational research activities in cancer immunology in the Asia-Pacific region, the most diverse and populous region with a large number of cancer patients. Methods: This questionnaire-based survey targeted researchers and healthcare professionals in the Asia-Pacific region. The questionnaire was sent to individuals who were involved in any collaboration with the National Cancer Center, Japan, or who belonged to the Asia-Pacific Blood and Marrow Transplantation group. Results: We received 122 responses from 20 Asia-Pacific countries and regions. Approximately 58% of the respondents were currently conducting clinical trials on cancer immunotherapy, with 25% having performed >10 phase 3 trials in the last 3 years. Half of the respondents (51.7%) belonged to institutions that conducted early phase clinical trials. In clinical trials, immune checkpoint inhibitors were used in most countries (81.8%), whereas chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) or T-cell receptor-modified T-cell (TCR-T) therapies were used in few countries (CAR-T, 22.7%; TCR-T, 2.3%). Importantly, 18% of respondents had referred their patients to facilities conducting suitable ongoing clinical trials in foreign countries. Some institutions provided hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), including allogeneic HSCT (55.1%) and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (81.3%). Approximately 40% of the respondents belonged to institutions that conducted translational research on cancer immunotherapy using patient-derived samples. Conclusion: This survey revealed limited cancer immunotherapy accessibility and research activities in the Asia-Pacific region, especially for CAR-T and TCR-T therapies.
