In November 2024, I had the honor of being appointed President of the Japan Society for Neuro-Oncology (JSNO). With the kind support of the board members and all society members, I will devote myself to the advancement of the Society and to contributing to patient care through the development of brain tumor diagnosis, treatment, and research. I sincerely ask for your continued support and guidance. The JSNO is the oldest and most established society in Japan among those related to neuro-oncology. It brings together researchers and professionals from a wide range of disciplines including pathology, pediatrics, medical oncology, radiation oncology, basic medical sciences, and rehabilitation medicine, as well as representatives of patient advocacy groups. The Society has long contributed to the promotion of brain tumor research and to the welfare of society.
Brain tumors are classified as so-called “rare cancers,” and their pathophysiology is not widely understood. They are diseases that affect the central nervous system, often causing diverse neurological symptoms and, in some cases, posing a threat to life. Effective treatment therefore requires the combined expertise of specialists across multiple disciplines and the close cooperation and support of patients’ families. In recent years, however, remarkable advances have been made in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques such as progress in radiotherapy, molecular pathological diagnosis based on genetic analysis, the establishment of effective pharmacotherapy for pediatric brain tumors, and the development of novel drug therapies grounded in cancer genome medicine. It would be a great pleasure if JSNO’s ongoing activities could further contribute to these advances.
At the same time, there remain significant challenges in brain tumor diagnosis and treatment. The 2021 revision of the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System made molecular diagnosis an essential component of tumor classification. Yet, many of the required genetic tests are technically complex and not easily implemented in routine clinical practice. Moreover, there is growing public expectation for the approval of new therapeutic agents, and JSNO must play an active role in facilitating timely access to promising treatments.
To ensure continued progress in brain tumor research and care, fostering young investigators and enhancing post-graduate educational programs are crucial. In accordance with the wishes of the late Dr. Takao Hoshino—a pioneering leader in brain tumor research—the Society has established the “Hoshino Award,” presented annually to outstanding publications in the field of neuro-oncology, thereby supporting and encouraging research efforts. We will continue to expand our research support initiatives in the years ahead. In addition, the Society is developing structured educational programs to help members update their clinical knowledge, and it continues to organize public lectures to raise awareness about brain tumor research. Another major undertaking of JSNO is the development and regular revision of the Brain Tumor Clinical Practice Guidelines, which aim to promote evidence-based and up-to-date patient care; we plan to advance this work with broad input from our members and colleagues.
It goes without saying that modern medicine progresses through international collaboration, and neuro-oncology is no exception. JSNO is an active member of the Asian Society for Neuro-Oncology (ASNO), alongside the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) and the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO); together, these organizations form the World Federation of Neuro-Oncology Societies (WFNOS). Strengthening JSNO’s international engagement and contribution within this global framework is of great importance. Nevertheless, the self-sustaining development of our own Society remains the most essential goal. I am firmly committed to making every effort toward this end, and I deeply appreciate your ongoing support and guidance.

Yuichi Hirose
President, Japan Society for Neuro-Oncology

The Japan Society for Neuro-Oncology (JSNO) was inaugurated in 1980 by the advocacy of Dr. Takao Hoshino, who was a staff member in the Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) at that time. In the United States, the `U.S.Conference on Brain Tumor Research and Therapy' had been held since 1975, under the leadership of Dr. Charles Wilson and Dr. Victor Levin of UCSF, at the famous resort Asilomar in California. This so-called 'Asilomar Conference' was organized as a semi-closed system in which relatively few participants (about 50) stayed overnight at the same lodging for two to three days. Dr.Hoshino and the author planned the Japanese Conference in a similar style as the Asilomar conference.

The first Meeting of Conference in Japan was held in 1980 with chairperson Dr.Masakatsu Nagai, at Nikko, one of the most famous sight-seeing places in Japan, so that, Conference was named as the 'Nikko Conference on Brain Tumor Research and Therapy'. 37 papers were presented and 68 participants attended the two-day meeting. It was not certain whether such a meeting could continue in the future at this point in time. The Conference was held every two years until the third Meeting, but due to a stronger voices calling for yearly meetings, it came to be held, after the fourth Meeting, every year. Resorts throughout the whole country were chosen as Conference sites. As for the participants at the Conference, the number was initially limited, but with the increasing numbers of young brain tumor researchers and the increasing numbers of applications for participation, an open system was initiated from the 10th Meeting. The name of the Conference was also changed to the 'Japanese Conference on Brain Tumor Research and Therapy`. Because the number of papers and participants continued to increase, the Conference gradually reached the scale of a Society. The Society structure was fixed in 2002, and it was named the 'Japan Society of Neuro-Oncology` which continues up to now.

Consistently from the start, the main subject matter of JSNO has been basic research on malignant brain tumors, especially malignant gliomas and the development of therapeutic measures against them. Many research results have been presented by JSNO participants, and superior achievements have been brought forth regarding molecular genetics of glioma pathogenesis, tumor biology focused on cell-kinetics, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy and combination therapies of these on malignant glioma.

The Annual Meeting of JSNO (25 in total) was held with chairperson Dr. Soichiro Shibui in Tokyo in December 2007. There were 188 written applications, and the participant number was a record-high of 280 people. Compared to the First Meeting in 1980, the number of subjects covered has increased five hold and the number of participants is four times as many. There is an immeasurable deep emotion for such a surprising development as the Meeting. The characteristic style of Meeting, however, has not changed compared to the time of the 'Conference' even after having now become a 'Society'. Namely, all the participants still stay at the same lodging, continue heated discussions till midnight in front of poster presentations, holding a wine-glass in one hand (Poster & Wine session! ).

The founder of JSNO Dr. Takao Hoshino died in 1993, but he left a legacy of encouragement to the foundation in the form of and award for the most excellent article on brain tumor research. The prize was named the 'Hoshino Award`, and there are a lot of nominations for it every year. 15 young researchers have won it since 1993. JSNO linked into the 'International Conference on Brain Tumor Research and Therapy' (ICBTRT) which developed from the 'U.S.Conference'. The 4th ICBTRT (1981), with Dr. Keiji Sano as chairperson, the 7th (1987), with Dr.Masakatsu Nagai as chairperson, and the 13th (1999), with Dr. Hiroshi Abe as chairperson were held in Japan and the 17th ICBTRT will be held in this year (2008) at Hakodate, Hokkaido, with chairperson Dr. Masao Matsutani. Moreover, the Asian Society for Neuro-Oncology was inaugurated in 2002, at Kumamoto, Japan with chairperson Dr. Yukitaka Ushio, which afterwards has been organized every year in each country in Asia.

The activity of JSNO is expected to be aimed at further development of cooperation with these international societies and to help bring about remarkable results on brain tumor research throughout the world.