Department Director
Professor Sun Li
Professor Sun Li began her career in the Nephrology and Rheumatology Department in 2005. She played a pivotal role in establishing the independent Rheumatology Department in 2016 and has served as its founding Director ever since. She currently holds prestigious appointments including Vice Chairperson of the Rheumatology Group of the Pediatrics Society, Chinese Medical Association, and Leader of the Pan-East China Children's SLE Specialist Alliance.
1. Discipline Overview
The Rheumatology Department of the Children's Hospital of Fudan University is a leading clinical and innovative research center for pediatric rheumatic and immune diseases in Asia. It is also a model specialty pioneering the "whole-life cycle care" philosophy from childhood to adulthood. We are not only one of the earliest independently established pediatric rheumatology departments in China but also a key clinical trial base in China and internationally for new drugs and novel treatment approaches. In complex disease areas such as childhood-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Juvenile Dermatomyositis, and monogenic autoimmune/autoinflammatory diseases, we continuously advance treatment paradigms through cutting-edge clinical research.
As a core specialty within the National Children's Medical Center, we are committed to bridging the Chinese and international pediatric rheumatology communities, offering global patients a comprehensive healthcare solution integrating precise diagnosis and treatment, innovative research, long-term management, and seamless transition.
2. Clinical Strengths and Comprehensive Capabilities
We possess integrated expertise covering the entire spectrum of pediatric rheumatic diseases: common, rare, complex, and critical:
(1) Standardized Management of Common Diseases: For conditions like Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), IgA Vasculitis, and arthralgia, we have established standardized, efficient diagnostic and treatment pathways ensuring therapeutic efficacy and a positive patient experience.
(2) Precision Approach to Rare Diseases: Focusing on rare conditions such as Behçet's disease, scleroderma, and monogenic autoinflammatory diseases, we leverage Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) and advanced diagnostic technologies to provide definitive diagnoses and personalized treatment plans.
(3) Referral Center for Complex and Critical Conditions: We have extensive experience and high success rates in managing severe lupus (e.g., NPSLE), critical dermatomyositis with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease, Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS), and life-threatening vasculitis, establishing ourselves as a regional referral center.
(4) Whole-Life Cycle Health Management: Beyond acute disease control, we are dedicated to the long-term growth and development, mental health, nutritional management, and quality of life of our patients. We have established a smooth transition mechanism for adolescents to adult rheumatology care, achieving "seamless" lifelong support.
3. Clinical Research and Innovation Platform
As a major participant and leading unit in national clinical research on innovative therapies for pediatric rheumatology, we are dedicated to translating the latest scientific findings into clinical practice:
(1) International and Domestic Clinical Trial Center: Since 2016, we have undertaken 18 drug clinical trials (GCP), of which 14 are international/domestic multicenter projects, involving targeted biologics, JAK inhibitors, novel cell therapies, etc. We are currently focusing on advancing the first universal cell therapy project for children in China—a clinical study on a novel cell therapy (YTS109) for refractory autoimmune diseases.
(2) Closed-Loop from Clinic to Research: We maintain standardized specialty disease cohorts and a high-quality biobank. We independently initiate multiple Investigator-Initiated Trials (IITs), with results published in internationally renowned journals. We collaborate closely with platforms such as the National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases and participate in formulating numerous industry diagnostic and treatment consensus guidelines.
4. Whole-Life Cycle Health Management and Transition Support
We deeply understand that pediatric rheumatic diseases are chronic conditions spanning the growth process. Therefore, we have pioneered and refined a whole-life cycle health management service system:
(1) Adolescent Transition System: We have established institutionalized, standardized transition and collaboration channels with top-tier adult rheumatology departments at Zhongshan Hospital, Huashan Hospital, and Huadong Hospital, of Fudan University, as well as Renji Hospital, of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
(2) Closed-Loop Management Experience for International Patients: We have provided complete closed-loop services for international patients from across Asia, encompassing initial consultation, treatment, stable-phase management, and smooth transition back to local adult rheumatology departments or partnered domestic hospitals, accumulating rich experience in international healthcare coordination.
(3) Integrated "Medical-Psychological-Social" Support: The department is staffed with dedicated social workers who provide psychological support, family counseling, assistance with charitable fund applications, and linkage to social resources, focusing on the comprehensive physical, mental, and social well-being of the child and family.