Xu Yiping (1940-2012), Professor of Internal Medicine, Professor, former Director of the COPD Research Laboratory, Director of the Molecular Biology Center, Director of the Allergic Disease Prevention and Treatment Center, and Deputy Director of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Renji Hospital.

Introduction

History, like the veins on a leaf, remains clear despite the passage of time. Dr. Xu Yiping possessed an innate compassion for his patients, especially those suffering from coughs. He instinctively sought to understand the root of their illnesses and was driven to cure every person under his care.

His motto was to “Alleviate suffering, provide warmth, heal the body, and soothe the soul.”

He dedicated his life to exploring the origins of disease, pioneering new treatment concepts, and making remarkable contributions to the prevention and treatment of chronic respiratory diseases and to clinical immunology.

The Path to Medicine

Xu Yiping was born in Fuzhou in 1940, an era of global conflict. However, the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 brought a sense of renewal and hope to his youth. During these formative years, Xu witnessed his nation transform from a state of war to one of peace, experiencing firsthand the profound social, economic, and cultural changes. He grew up alongside the country, sharing in its progress and challenges.

In 1958, Xu was admitted to the Department of Medicine at Shanghai Second Medical College, marking the start of his medical career. The 1950s were a period of nationwide construction and reform in China, with significant innovations in medical services and education. At the college, Xu studied diligently, recognizing that being a great physician required more than just technical skill; it demanded a broad humanistic perspective. He believed that only by accumulating extensive knowledge could he sharpen his clinical thinking and better serve public health.

In the Shanghai of that era, the medical college was a relatively insular environment. Xu split his time between the college’s practical activities and rural labor assignments. Whenever possible, he would be found at his small desk, focused on his studies and constantly enriching his knowledge.

In 1962, Xu graduated and began a new chapter in his career, serving as a doctor at Guangci Hospital and as a teacher at his alma mater, Shanghai Second Medical College. It was at Guangci Hospital that he began his clinical practice, working alongside renowned doctors to build a solid medical foundation. He was known for his rigorous and meticulous approach to diagnosis, taking time to listen to his patients and develop the most suitable treatment plans. His professionalism earned him the respect of both patients and peers.

As an educator, Xu was dedicated to imparting his clinical experience and knowledge to his students. He worked tirelessly, preparing each lesson with great care and teaching with passion. His clear, straightforward teaching style was highly valued by students, as he consistently provided them with the latest technological information and practical clinical insights.

Precision in the Prevention and Control of Chronic Bronchitis

In the early 1970s, during the social upheaval of the Cultural Revolution, China’s social order and education system were significantly disrupted. Nevertheless, the rapid development in the years following the founding of the People’s Republic had improved urban living standards and sanitation. This progress, coupled with booming industrialization, also introduced new health challenges, including a rise in respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Chronic bronchitis is a persistent inflammatory airway disease with symptoms including cough, sputum production, shortness of breath, and wheezing. It was common in middle-aged populations and was linked to smoking, air pollution, and genetic factors. Emphysema, a related chronic lung condition often caused by long-term smoking and occupational hazards, leads to the destruction of lung tissue, impairing oxygen intake and gas exchange. Since emphysema is irreversible and worsens over time, treatment focused on managing symptoms and slowing progression, making prevention and early intervention critical. At the time, China’s limited medical resources and lagging technology made progress in treating these diseases slow.

Against this backdrop, Xu Yiping was transferred to Renji Hospital to assist Professor Huang Dingjiu in establishing the COPD Research Laboratory for Shanghai Second Medical College. This new laboratory was a major milestone for Shanghai and for China, setting a new direction for the treatment and prevention of emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

The successful establishment of the lab was a testament to the innovative thinking and foresight of Xu and Huang. They championed a research approach that integrated patient needs with new medical technologies. The laboratory established national standards for COPD research, providing a high-level platform for clinicians and scientists across China. Its work laid a crucial foundation for the development of new drug therapies and treatment protocols, and it also paved the way for China’s future tobacco control movements and improved strategies for emphysema prevention.

Going Global and Making New Achievements

In 1979, as China emerged from a decade of turmoil, the nation had a pressing need for advanced medical technologies. With the launch of the “Reform and Opening-Up” policy, the government encouraged talented scholars to study abroad, particularly in the medical field. As a leading expert in lung disease research in China, Xu Yiping was selected by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the first scholars to be sent abroad for advanced studies at the Pasteur Institute in France.

The Pasteur Institute is a world-renowned center for immunology research, named after the pioneering French scientist Louis Pasteur. Founded in 1888, it has been the birthplace of groundbreaking discoveries, such as the rabies vaccine, which have advanced human history. Researchers there are dedicated to understanding the body’s immune responses to pathogens, making significant contributions to the treatment and prevention of disease.

Xu recognized that these foreign technologies could accelerate China’s medical modernization. Upon returning to China, he successfully integrated cutting-edge techniques into his work, helping to align Chinese medicine with international standards. This overseas experience laid the groundwork for his pioneering research on allergies in China.

In 1980, shortly after his return, Xu began to produce a series of significant results. In 1981, he published a study using radioactive techniques to detect specific IgE antibodies against dust mites in allergic asthma patients. This in-depth research into the immune mechanisms of asthma earned him the Second Prize of Scientific and Technological Achievement from the Ministry of Health in 1982.

In 1985, Xu published a paper exploring the link between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and cellular immunity. From 1985 to 1989, he served as the Deputy Director of the COPD Research Laboratory at Shanghai Second Medical University. During this period, he led his team in systematic research on the etiology and treatment of COPD, establishing a long-term follow-up system to analyze the disease’s progression. His lab also conducted clinical trials to create personalized treatment plans for COPD patients. In 1986, his team’s breakthroughs in C4 purification and antiserum preparation won the Third Prize of the Shanghai Science and Technology Progress Award.

In 1987, Xu published “Mite Allergy and Bronchial Asthma,” which systematically proposed methods for preventing and treating allergic asthma, winning the Second Prize of Science and Technology Progress from the State Education Commission. That same year, he discovered the relationship between IgD and allergic asthma, revealing its role in the disease’s mechanism and opening new avenues for treatment. In 1988, the Ministry of Health named him a “Young and Middle-aged Expert with Outstanding Contributions.”

From 1989 to 1992, funded again by the WHO and the Canadian International Development Agency, Xu worked as a visiting researcher at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) in Canada. The IRCM is a leading Canadian medical research institution known for its world-class teams and facilities. There, Xu immersed himself in immunology and molecular biology, collaborating with top scientists. He used advanced techniques like genetic engineering to analyze individual differences in COPD patients, proposing innovative strategies for treatment and management.

In 1992, after returning to China, Xu became Director of the COPD Research Laboratory. He combined modern medical techniques with traditional approaches, exploring research methods with Chinese characteristics. Under his leadership, the laboratory expanded its research scope and attracted a wealth of new talent.

Molecular Biology Boosting Clinical Development

In 1994, Xu co-founded the “Central Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Renji Hospital,” a landmark achievement that accelerated the hospital’s medical research. At the time, emerging molecular biology technologies provided more precise tools for research, especially in allergic diseases. The new lab enabled Renji Hospital to conduct in-depth, molecular-level studies on allergies, using techniques like PCR and gene cloning to understand allergen-antibody interactions and develop more effective treatments.

In the following years, Xu’s research on bronchial asthma and allergic inflammation flourished. In 1998, he published a monograph analyzing the immune dysfunction in COPD, followed by another on the progress of allergic inflammation research. In 2001, building on the work of the molecular biology lab, he established the Allergic Disease Prevention and Treatment Center at Renji Hospital to advance the clinical application of new diagnostic and treatment methods.

Xu continued to publish significant research, including a 2005 paper on latex allergy and a 2006 study on the role of cockroach allergens in asthma. He led or participated in 16 national and municipal research projects and earned 12 science and technology awards for his contributions.

Xu Yiping passed away due to illness in 2012 at the age of 72. His life was dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, continuous innovation, and practical application. His work significantly advanced China’s research in occupational respiratory diseases, allergic diseases, and COPD, elevating the country’s standing in the field of allergy research. His outstanding contributions will be forever remembered in the annals of Chinese medicine.

Editor: Chen Qing @ ShanghaiDoctor.cn

Note: Chinese Sources from “The Path of Benevolent Medicine” which was published in 2024. It records 90 important medical figures in the history of Renji Hospital. Yewen Renyi (ShanghaiDoctor.cn) team was one of the major writers of the book and is authorized by Renji hospital to create English version on the website of ShanghaiDoctor.cn