The OECI Network

Presentation of the Centre

The Instituto Valenciano de Oncología Foundation (IVO) is a private non-profit organization that was created in 1976 with the objective of providing assistance to cancer patients, as well as promoting the prevention of the disease, the development of research activity, teaching and training of medical oncologists and related specialists.

Main research activities

The IVO in 2023 had 173 active clinical trials. 89.6% of the trials are related to Medical Oncology: breast, ovary, prostate and sarcomas. Areas with 10 or more trials are breast, gynecological, renal, bladder, prostate, lung, solid tumors. 93% are international trials. The institution is participating with the Spanish Platform of Biomodels and Biobanks funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PT24/00083); the ULISES (FETOPEN-01-2018-2019-2020; GA No. 899708) and the DISRUPT (HORIZON-EIC-2022-PATHFINDEROPEN-01; GA No. 101099663) project and the GenoMel Consortium all funded by the European Commission. The IVO participates in the International Early Lung Cancer Action Programme (IELCAP). In the biobanking field, our Biobank has been the first in Europe and the unique in Spain in achieving the UNE-EN ISO 20387: 2020 accreditation on Biobanking and Biotechnology (ENAC accreditation ID: 1/BB002.

Core Facilities

• 117 Hospital Beds
• 8 Operating Rooms
• 88 Outpatient and Examination Rooms
• Home Hospitalization Unit
• 7 Emergency Rooms
• 51 Day Hospital Post
• 6 Linear Accelerators
• 2 High Dose Rate Brachytherapy machines
• 1 PET
• 1 SPET-CT + gammacamera
• 2 MRI
• 4 CT/4 Mammography
• 1 Digital remote control for interventional radiology

Presentation of the Centre

The Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus (HUSJR) is a public entity, that provides a landmark oncological service for the citizens of southern Catalonia, a region over 800,000 inhabitants in the province of Tarragona, knowned as Southern Catalonia Cancer Institute (IOCS). It forms an integral part of the public health service of the Generalitat de Catalunya (CatSalut). IOCS treats some 3,000 new cases of cancer each year.

Main Research Activities

The Centre is affiliated to the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV), shared among other institutions (with 5 oncology research groups). The lines of research are:

• Clinical Trials (phase II, III and RWD; phase I available)
• Precision Oncology and Multiomic Biomarkers (genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics)
• Epidemiology and Cancer Screening

Core Facilities (Clinical or Research)

• SERVICES

Medical Oncology
Radiation Oncology
Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention

• UNITS

Integrated Palliative Care and Oncology (ESMO Designated Centre)
Psycho-Oncology
Molecular Biology: hereditary, somatic & liquid biopsy
Genetic Counselling

• STRUCTURE

60 oncology beds; 32 ambulatory day sites
4 Linear Accelerators

• OTHER SERVICES

Surgical
Pathology
Pharmacy
Radiology
Nuclear Medicine
Medical Physics
Biobank

Education

• Medical and Radiation Oncology subjects at the Medicine Degree at Universitat Rovira i Virgili.
• Postgraduate training in Medical Oncology (3 residents per year), Radiation Oncology (1 per year) and Medical Physics (1 per year).

Presentation of the Centre

The Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, located in the Community of Madrid, Spain, is a leading center in the Spanish public healthcare system. Founded in 1977, it has distinguished itself by its commitment to medical excellence and innovation. This, together with its collaboration with entities in the healthcare ecosystem, integrity, and responsibility, fulfills its mission of Improving Health and Well-being by Transforming Healthcare.

Main research activities and core facilities

The hospital’s facilities include more than 700 beds, 45 operating rooms, and 13 reference units within the National Health System, of which 4 are cancer related. Additionally, the hospital has state-of-the-art laboratories and advanced diagnostic equipment, which support clinical care, personalized treatments, and research. This hospital not only provides high-quality healthcare but is also dedicated to research and the training of future health professionals. The hospital is a leader in biomedical research through the Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute, with multiple projects aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Priority areas include oncology, neurology, and infectious diseases. Thanks to its focus on personalized medicine and advances in innovative therapies, the center has achieved promising results that positively impact patient care.

Education

Ramón y Cajal is also a prestigious teaching center, affiliated with the University of Alcalá. It offers training programs for medical residents (MIR) and other health professionals. Its commitment to education ensures that future doctors receive a comprehensive, high-quality education, preparing professionals to face the challenges of today’s healthcare environment.

The Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia is dedicated to clinical excellence and innovation in medical research, offering comprehensive, patient-centered cancer care. Our hospital is the heart of a Health Department (Clínico-Malvarrosa) covering an area of 700.000 inhabitants and including primary and specialized care.

Our Institution approaches in an integrative way the whole path of cancer patients. We are involved in cancer prevention and screening programs. Our cancer diagnosis services including pathology, molecular biology, and imaging are integrated in multidisciplinary teams, discussing and assigning to each patient the best potential therapeutic strategy. Our surgical services include robotic devices to optimize patient outcomes. Our radiation oncology department is the only one in the region offering Gamma-knife to treat brain metastasis. Medical treatments, including innovative trials, are delivered in specific locations.

Our cancer research is managed by the Institute of Health Research INCLIVA and focuses on precision medicine, early-phase clinical trials, including targeted agents, novel immunotherapies and cell therapies, and translational research. Our translational research ensures that laboratory discoveries quickly benefit clinical practices. Our Data Center and Biobank collect and store vital biological samples and clinical data for ongoing and future research initiatives.

We offer comprehensive residency programs in oncology, providing a strong foundation in both clinical practice and research, as well as educational activities. Our relationship with Universidad de Valencia facilitates specific PhD and master's programs, nurturing the next generation of medical researchers to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and excellence in cancer care.

Presentation of the Centre

Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro in Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain, serves over 500,000 people with a team of 3,100+ professionals. We handle more than 645,000 consultations annually, offering prevention, early diagnosis, personalized treatment, and palliative care. In 2023, our Medical Oncology, Radiotherapy, and Hematology departments managed over 83,000 oncology consultations, ensuring the highest standard of care throughout the cancer journey.

Main research activities

The Puerta de Hierro Biomedical Research Institute encompasses 5 research areas with 413 researchers on over 70 active projects. Dr. Mariano Provencio leads the Oncology Research Area, which includes the following groups: Lung Cancer, Hematology, Lymphomas, Molecular Oncology, Therapeutic Targets, Sarcomas, and Radiation Oncology. The Lung Cancer Group pioneered the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus immunotherapy (CH-I) in NSCLC, a combination approved by the FDA in March 2022 and EMA in 2023, transforming patient care. In 2023, our institution was engaged in over 330 clinical trialsin Oncology, focusing heavily on translational research.

Core Facilities

The hospital spans 165,000 m² with four floors. It features dedicated areas for Hospitalization (548 beds), Consultations (151), Day Hospital (129 posts), Surgical Unit (21 operating rooms), ER (28 posts), ICU (52), as well as Research and Teaching. Our advanced research facilities include a Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting Unit, Cell Culture Unit, and Advanced Optical and Confocal Microscopy. The DNA sequencing and molecular biology facilities offer genomic services with NGS. A Biobank, Medical-Surgical Research Unit, Nursing Care Research Unit, Biostatistics, and Bioinformatics units are also available. Our Clinical Trials include units for Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Pharmacy, and Oncology (with a Phase I CTU).

Education

As a University Hospital affiliated with Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, we are dedicated to ongoing education and professional development. Our team of over 70 associate professors educates more than 250 undergraduate students, 500 graduate students, and 380 postgraduate students. Our Medical Specialist Training Program supports 334 resident physicians. In 2023, our continuous education program trained over 7,000 healthcare professionals, ensuring our medical staff remain current with the latest advancements.with a special focus on cáncer care and research.