Presentation of the Centre

The EHS at LCC is a university hospital center specializing in comprehensive cancer care. Founded in 1990, our institution includes six key departments: Surgery, Medical Oncology, Radiotherapy, Hematology, Hemobiology & Immunology Laboratory, and a Central Pharmacy. Additionally, we have established agreements with other institutions, such as CHU BLIDA. These partnerships enable us to provide a fully integrated approach to cancer care. Our center also houses an educational facility that offers undergraduate training in Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy in collaboration with BLIDA 1 University. We also provide postgraduate training for specialists and those with degrees in medical sciences. Moreover, our institution is equipped with a clinical research laboratory focused on oncology, supported by a team of distinguished research professors.

Main Research Activities

With a team of over 36 full-time researchers, including 7 professors, we are committed to advancing medical research within our country. We have two dedicated research laboratories located on our premises and affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine: one specializing in oncology and the other in cytogenetics. Currently, we are actively conducting more than 26 ongoing Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials.

Core Facilities

Our center has a capacity of 220 beds and is staffed by a highly skilled team across six departments:

• Medical Oncology: This department includes inpatient care, a Day Hospital (HDJ), supportive care services, a Peros Unit, five consultation box, home care services, and handles approximately 130 treatment courses per day. We also have a clinical research unit and conduct 15 multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings.
• Surgery: With 60 beds and five operating rooms, our surgical team provides a wide range of services, including senology, gynecological surgery, thyroid surgery, and digestive and visceral surgery.
• Hematology: This department, with 40 beds, offers inpatient care and a Day Hospital (HDJ) for the treatment of hematological diseases, both benign and malignant, and conducts bone marrow transplants.
• Radiotherapy: The radiotherapy department has 60 beds, two CT scanners, three linear accelerators, and two HDR and LDR projectors. Additionally, we have an intensive care unit with 10 beds, supervised by a professor and supported by six specialists.
• Central Laboratory: Our central laboratory provides a wide array of tests, including hemobiology, biochemistry, tumor markers, and immunological analyses.
• Central Pharmacy: The pharmacy is dedicated to chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. In collaboration with various hospitals, including the University Hospital’s Anatomical Pathology Department (IHC, PCR, NGS, etc.), our center stands as a leading institution for comprehensive cancer care.

Education

As a university hospital affiliated with BLIDA 1 University, our institution places a strong emphasis on education. We provide both theoretical and practical training for medicine, dental, and pharmacy students, as well as for residents in specialized fields. Throughout the academic year, students receive hands-on training in oncology, hematology, and surgery. Additionally, we offer continuing education programs for doctors from other hospitals, ensuring ongoing professional development in the medical community.

The Leuven Cancer Institute integrates oncological research and care within KU Leuven, University Hospital Leuven and VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology. Our mission is to improve the quality of cancer care and thus the life expectancy and quality of life of cancer patients. We serve as a coordinating and strategically steering institution that crosses the borders of individual divisions to ensure a seamless interaction between all stakeholders.

We are dedicated to pioneering cancer research by strengthening the entire translational research cycle from the laboratory to the patient, and back, encompassing basic and translational research, and an extensive panel of clinical studies. By translating our research findings into clinical applications, we aim to further advance prevention, early detection, targeted treatment and excellent (supportive) care.

State-of-the-art research equipment and centralized services are part of our success. These include a (spatial) multi-omics platform, a genomics core, an artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing institute, preclinical model platforms, a proton therapy center, a tech transfer office, a multi-tumor board and a broad set of oncological care programs.

We ensure the quality and relevance and we contribute to oncology-related education and training for all medical and paramedical programs. These include the current and future generations of researchers, clinicians and other healthcare providers at the pre- and postdoctoral level as well as the lay public.

Presentation of the Centre

The Kortrijk Cancer Centre is part of the general hospital az groeninge. The centre is committed to provide holistic, high-quality and multidisciplinary cancer care and continuously adapting to meet the needs of cancer patients and their caregivers. Az groeninge is a general hospital resulting out of a merger between 4 hospitals in the city of Kortrijk (Belgium) and it was the first general hospital in the BeNeLux to obtain JCI-accreditation in 2013. Since 2017, all activities are centralized in a single 1046 bed facility, ensuring patient-centered care.

Main Research Activities

The Cancer Centre offers a wide range of innovative techniques and specialized services, including systemic anti-cancer therapy units, radiation therapy, robotic-assisted and minimally invasive surgery (da Vinci system), pancreatic cancer surgery programme, intra-hepatic treatment with radioactively labelled microspheres, lutetium-PSMA ligand therapy, abdominal HIPEC, functional MRI, and a PET-centre for West-Flanders. Furthermore, expertise in clinical pharmacology, anatomical pathology and NGS/molecular diagnostics plays a crucial role in personalized treatment strategies and precise diagnostics, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, patient-centered oncology care. The centre actively participates in phases 1 to 4 clinical trials through a dedicated clinical trial office, clinical research unit and involvement in cooperative groups such as EORTC. The cancer centre has the capacity and expertise to design clinical trials and az groeninge hosts a recognized Ethical Committee. The integrated care model ensures close collaborations with primary and secondary healthcare providers through the E17 Regional Hospital Network, covering South of West-Flanders & East Flanders, while our affiliation with the Flemish Hospital Network of the Leuven University Hospitals strengthens referral pathways for complex and rare cases. Strong partnerships with home care and nursing homes guarantee a transition between hospital and homes-based care.

Core Facilities

The current portfolio includes medical oncology, haematology, pneumo oncology, digestive oncology, head and neck oncology, surgery oncology, uro oncology, EUSOMA-accredited Breast Clinic, geriatric oncology, gynaecological oncology, neuro oncology and dermato oncology. Multidisciplinary oncology clinics are set up based on a group of main cancer diagnosis and have dedicated physicians, specialized nurses, and other healthcare professionals who provide holistic care. There is a highly developed and integrated supportive care system, providing comprehensive services such as social counselling, psycho-oncology, nutritional support and spirituality and existential services care. In addition, the centre also integrates palliative and end-of-life care, supported by a dedicated palliative care team and unit, ensuring a compassionate and holistic approach to advanced disease management. Scalp cooling and hilotherapy, and the onco@home program further enhance patient support. Additionally, geriatric oncology, with comprehensive geriatric assessments, ensures tailored care for elderly patients. The cancer centre offers a range of supporting programmes to address the diverse needs of our patients: smoking cessation guidance, oncological rehabilitation, creative therapies, Care for AYA, emotional freedom techniques (EFT), facilities for children on the oncology ward and outside the hospital ‘Zibi’s Boomhut’. The dedicated patient advisory board plays an essential role in ensuring that patient feedback is integrated into the ongoing development of our services.

Education

The hospital and cancer centre actively participates in clinical education at different academic levels, including bachelor, master, postgraduate, and PhD program. Highly skilled healthcare professionals with strong clinical and professional leadership are essential to initiate and support innovation in healthcare, ensuring patient safety, and maintaining high-quality of care to enhance the overall patient experience and outcomes.

Presentation of the Centre

University Hospital Ghent Kankercentrum UZ Gent is one of Belgium's largest academic medical centers. UZ Gent treats both solid and hematological prevalent and complex or rare cancers. Each patient is supervised by a team of physicians, nurses working in several dedicated cancer care units. On top, the patient and his or her relatives are supported by nurse consultants, clinical nurse specialists, dieticians, psychologists and social workers specialised in cancer care. University Hospital Ghent Cancer Center plays a pivotal role in the prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of cancer. The center is dedicated to providing comprehensive cancer care by combining cutting-edge research, advanced clinical services, psycho-social support to improve cancer treatment outcomes, and with a strong commitment to healthcare and patient education.

Main Research Activities

UZ Gent cancer center collaborates closely with multiple scientific e.g. Cancer Research Institute Ghent and community stakeholders to advance cancer research and improve patient outcomes. It plays a significant role in advancing fundamental, translational, clinical, nursing and psychosocial research, recognizing that cancer care extends beyond just addressing the physical aspects of the disease.

Core Facilities

The cancer center is pioneering interdisciplinary cure and care pathways in which the multidisciplinary team and the patients are the leading actors. In addition, as a crucial partner, the patient advisory board and partner community care services are part of the pathway to make certain that cancer patients receive value-based care and support throughout the professional care infrastructure.

Presentation of the Centre

With over 5,000 patients, including more than 3,000 new patients, the King Albert II Institute is a leading cancer centre in Brussels and Belgium. Integrated into a major academic hospital, it brings together all the skills and knowledge necessary for cancer patient care and research against cancer. In 2025, the Institute will be housed in a new building dedicated to oncology care for adults and children, bringing together all the professionals needed for comprehensive, high-quality care focused on patient well-being. Offering cutting-edge oncology expertise and access to the latest innovations, the new centre will strengthen its position as a reference across Belgium and Europe, and will perfectly address the challenges of centralizing rare cancers for the benefit of the patient.

Main Research Activities

• Targeted therapy
• Tumor hypoxia
• Immunotherapy
• CAR-T cells
• Innovative radiotherapy

Main Facilities

• 4 MRI machines
• 3 LINACS (1 for adaptive radiotherapy)
• 4 scanners
• 2 PET scans
• 1 tumor bank
• 85 beds for day hospitalization
• Well-being center
• Adolescents-young adults facilities
• On site Labs: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Christian de Duve Institute, Institut de Recherche Expériementale et Clinique (IREC – UCLouvain)
• 180 clinical trials opened

Professionals

• 16 multidisciplinary groups
• More than 140 doctors
• 150 nurses and paramedics

Presentation of the Centre

An internationally recognized reference in oncology, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center is the only private, specialized, and integrated cancer diagnosis, treatment, education, and research center operating under the Cancer Center model in Brazil.
Together, these structures allow the institution to offer treatments at the forefront of medicine and achieve results and outcomes that match or surpass those of the best Cancer Centers in the U.S. and Europe.
Since 1953, the institution has provided high-complexity, integrated, humanized care focused on the needs and safety of patients.
Divided into 13 Reference Centers, more than 700 hyper-specialized doctors, in addition to scientists, professors, and multidisciplinary teams, work together on the development of research, processes, and methodologies to be applied in national oncological care.
In education, it is the leading institution for training specialists, residents, masters, and doctors in Brazil, equipping them to share knowledge and contribute to oncology healthcare for the benefit of society as a whole.

Presentation of the Centre

The Oncology center at the Heart and Brain Centre of Excellence is a leading cancer care institution, focused at establishing state-of-the-art health care by providing personalized and innovative approach in screening, diagnostics, treatment and follow-up of patients with cancer. The Oncology Center at H&B is a part of the Bulgarian Cardiac Institute (BCI)- the most influential healthcare organization on the Balkans since 2008. Today BCI integrates two high-tech centers of clinical excellence in Pleven and Burgas; five specialized cardiology hospitals and 15 primary health care medical centers across the country.

Main Research Activities

The Oncology Center at H&B has introduced as a pioneer a cardio-oncology-based approach in the clinical practice and also has in view a development of innovative approaches for anticancer management with reduced cardiotoxicity. We collaborate with many national and international universities and university hospitals on scientific projects and research programs in cancer and cancer genetics. We aim to establish screening, early detection and risk reduction programs and measures, inclusive by molecular genetic testing and genetic counseling that we offer to our patients. We are currently running a very successful scientific projects on post-covid clinical consequences in the Bulgarian population. We participate in clinical trials in all phases, including phase 1.

Core Facilities

• The Clinic of Medical Oncology (with Clinical TrialsDepartment);
• The Clinic of Oncohaematology:
• The Department of Radiotherapy;
• Different surgical Clinics and Anaesthesiology;
• Gynaecology;
• Orthopaedics;
• Psychotherapy;
• Molecular pathology and genetics;
• The department of Cardiooncology.

Education

Scientific and educational activities are fundamental for Heart and Brain's future development. We are training students, residents, specialists and post-doctoral students, and are participating in interventional and non-interventional clinical trials.

Presentation of the Centre

The University Hospital for Tumours, part of Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, is the only institution in Croatia providing prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support to patients with solid tumours with a multidisciplinarity and patient centred approach. All services are available at the cancer centre. On a yearly basis, the programs are revised in order to better suit patients’ expectations. The University Hospital for Tumours has preserved its policy of patient centred holistic cancer care.

Main Research Activities

The research focuses on application of relevant translational data. Due to the high volume of breast cancer and rectal cancer pathology, the research is focused on patient stratification according to markers predicting the response to therapy in these two areas with stressing hereditary components. Alongside interventional clinical trials, academic focus is on quality of life, nutritional, psychological aspects and effects of prehabilitation. Through collaboration with Academies of Fine Arts, Drama and Music, the hospital opened another stream of qualitative studies of art mediated support care.

Core Facilities

The University Hospital for Tumours provides diagnostics and high risk surveillance services, surgery, radiotherapy and oncological treatment, palliative, nutritional and psychological support, rehabilitation and reintegration services. Though there is an experimental department, most of our research is conducted in collaboration or partnership with Croatian or European Institutions or within consortia. 

Education

University Hospital for Tumours is an educational site for the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy and Biochemistry. The faculty members of our staff are involved in postdoctoral studies and mentoring in basic, translational and clinical cancer research.

Founders

The Centre is registered as a Charity, following an agreement by the Cyprus Government and the Bank of Cyprus. It operates since 1998.

Board of Trustees

It is overseen by a seven-member Board of Trus tees.

Mission

To serve cancer patients and their families with state-of-the-art services.

Vision

Autonomous, not-for-profit referral centre for the treatment of cancer, aspiring to excellence, committed to continuous improvement.

Departments

• Radiation Oncology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Medical Oncology
• Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology (including interventional bronchoscopy/ gastroenterology)
• Surgical Oncology (under development)
• Clinical Trials Unit
• Medical Physics
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Operations
• Finance and Accounting

Radiotherapy

• Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy 3D-CRT
• Volumetric treatments (IMRT, VMAT)
• Image guided radiotherapy (IGRT)
• Stereotactic RT - cranial and extracranial
• Brachytherapy – IBRT
• Superficial SXR

Equipment

• 3 Linear Accelerators (Varian)
• Superficial treatment unit
• HDR-Brachytherapy system
• CT scanner for simulation
• Treatment planning systems
• CT scanner
• MRI
• Ultrasound
• Digital mammography unit with tomosynthesis
• Digital conventional X-ray unit
• C-ARM
• SPECT-CT

Other facilities

• 2 Wards - hospitalisation & inpatient treatment
• Day care unit for chemotherapy
• Day care unit for supportive care
• Outpatient examination/consulting rooms
• Aseptic suite for the reconstitution of cytotoxic drugs
• Pharmacy & dispensary

Presentation of the Centre

Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute (MMCI) is the largest cancer centre in the Czech Republic, providing health care services, research, and education in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of solid tumors. Currently serves as the National Cancer Centre in the network of Czech Comprehensive Cancer Centres.

Main Research Activities

MMCI operates its own facility for basic and translational research, RECAMO (Research Center for Applied Molecular Oncology) with its 7 research groups. Part of the MMCI research infrastructure is the Department of Clinical Trials. Its Phase I Unit is certified for first-in human trials. MMCI serves as the national node of the BBMRI-ERIC research infrastructure for biobanking and also is one of the founding members of the Czech research group "Center for Artificial Intelligence in Oncology".

Core Facilities

Our patients have access to the most innovative diagnostics and cancer treatment options, including robotic surgery, theranostics, precision oncology, and radiotherapy. Every year, almost 5,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients start treatment at MMCI. We perform approximately 5,500 surgeries, including robotic procedures, more than 8,000 patients is treated by anticancer drugs and 2,500 is treated by radiotherapy.

Education

MMCI provides oncology education for both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as for patients and the general public. MMCI is accredited to provide education and training in 18 specializations for physicians, 5 specializations for pharmacists and 8 specializations for nurses and other non-medical health professionals. MMCI organizes various educational events. Brno Oncology Days stands out as the most significant one attracting over 2,000 participants annualy.

MMCI in numbers

• 1,123 employees, of whom 131 hold a scientific degree
• 220 inpatient beds /8,432 inpatient cases
• 44 beds in 2 day care units /32,078 treatment applications
• 52 number of outpatient clinics /578,103 outpatient treatments
• 5,552 operations, including robotic surgeries
• 650,923 radiotherapy procedures
• 192 peer-reviewed publications
• 127 clinical trials
• A+ rating from patients

Presentation of the Centre

Motol University Hospital (MUH), the largest healthcare facility in the Czech Republic, provides comprehensive medical care for both children and adults, guided by the latest medical knowledge and the motto "Serving Generations." Each year, MUH serves over 1,200,000 individuals on an outpatient basis and admits more than 77,300 patients. The Department of Oncology, associated with the Second Faculty of Medicine at Charles University and MUH, was recognized as one of the Comprehensive Centers in 2014 and designated as one of the two National Cancer Centers in the Czech Republic.

Main Research Activities at MUH

MUH is actively engaged in the EU's Horizon 2020 research program, along with various projects supported by the Czech Research Council. The "Modern Therapies" initiative has been introduced at MUH to foster the integration of scientific research findings into clinical practice. Eleven departments at MUH are part of different European Reference Networks for Rare Diseases, including EURACAN. The Department of Oncology participates in several EU Joint Actions for Cancer, such as CRANE, IDEA4RC, and JANE, and is a member of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). Furthermore, the Department of Immunology collaborates closely with a leading Czech biotechnology company to develop innovative cancer immunotherapies.

Core Facilities at MUH

MUH is structured into three distinct sections dedicated to patient care: a pediatric wing with approximately 600 beds, an adult wing with 1,230 beds, and a facility for long-term illnesses housing 390 beds. The hospital boasts 29 large operating rooms and 12 intensive care units. It offers comprehensive departments for both children and adults, including a transplant department for solid organs and bone marrow, as well as a tissue bank. MUH hosts several multidisciplinary cancer teams specializing in areas such as gynecology, gastroenterology, urology, and pulmonology. Advanced surgical techniques, including robotic surgery, have been implemented in the surgical and urological departments. The radiotherapy unit is equipped with three modern linear accelerators capable of IMRT, IGRT, VMAT, RMS, and brachytherapy. MUH also encompasses various specialized laboratories for genetics, molecular biology, clinical biochemistry, immunology, medical microbiology, pathology, and molecular medicine. Additionally, genetic testing and consultations are provided by the Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, which also functions as the National Coordination Center for Rare Diseases.

Education

MUH hosts two medical faculties from Charles University in Prague, offering both undergraduate and postgraduate education. These faculties award degrees in general medicine, physiotherapy, and general nursing, as well as doctoral programs in biomedicine. Additionally, MUH participates in the ERASMUS program, educating a number of students annually.

Presentation of the Centre

The Vejle Cancer Centre, part of Lillebaelt Hospital, is dedicated to delivering world-class cancer care. Our mission is to provide every cancer patient with personalized, high-quality treatment, integrating the latest advances in research and clinical care to enhance outcomes and quality of life. Recognized by the Region of Southern Denmark as a specialist cancer hospital since 2008, Vejle Cancer Centre is one of Denmark’s premier institutions for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research. Our centre serves as a national reference point, with a strong commitment to offering equitable access to cutting-edge therapies across a wide range of cancers including colorectal, breast, lung, prostate, hematological, and gynecologic malignancies. At Vejle Cancer Centre, prevention and early detection are cornerstones of our cancer control strategy. Through population-based screening programs and personalized risk assessment tools, we aim to reduce cancer incidence and diagnose cancers at earlier, more treatable stages. We offer a holistic approach to supportive care, addressing the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of patients and their families throughout the cancer journey. Palliative care is integrated early in the treatment pathway to improve the quality of life of patients with advanced disease.

Main Research Activities

Our research is embedded within every step of patient care, bridging the gap between clinical trials and everyday treatment. With a focus on precision oncology, we ensure that every patient benefits from the latest advancements in personalized medicine. Our multidisciplinary teams conduct translational research, integrating it seamlessly with clinical trials, ensuring that innovative treatments are rapidly implemented to improve patient outcomes.

Core Research Areas:

• Multidisciplinary Care
• Translational Research
• Shared Decision Making
• Population-Based Cohorts
• National and International Collaboration
• Fast-Tracked Research Implementation

Core facilities

Vejle Cancer Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to support minimally invasive surgeries, advanced radiological imaging, and high-precision radiotherapy. Our clinical research unit and high-tech laboratories ensure that we remain at the forefront of cancer research, offering our patients access to the latest therapies and clinical trials.

Education

As an academic partner of the University of Southern Denmark, we are deeply invested in the education and training of the next generation of healthcare professionals. Our commitment to both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education ensures that our staff are well-prepared to lead in the rapidly evolving field of cancer care.

Presentation of AUH

Aarhus University Hospital (AUH) holds ambitions for the highest possible standards in cancer care, and is committed to treatment, education and research with a patient centred approach. AUH is a local hospital covering 350,000+ citizens in the city of Aarhus and a highly specialized hospital for patients in Central Denmark Region with a regional catchment area of 1,4 million inhabitants. AUH employs 10,500 persons across 55 departments and covers all types of cancer treatment. In 2023, AUH had more than 35,500 cancer patients and performed 11,400 cancer procedures.

Main Research Activities

AUH and Aarhus University (AU) have a broad range of cancer research ranging from basic science to clinical research including intervention trials. AUH and AU have outstanding scientific facilities, an extensive international network and the clinical trial units have more than 50 ongoing cancer trials. In 2023, 697 peer-reviewed cancer articles were published.

Core Facilities

The diagnostic facilities are outstanding and include: seven PET-CT, 1 PET-MRI, 15 MRI, 6 gamma cameras of which 4 are coupled with CT-scan, 16 CT-scans, 3 cyclotrons, several endoscopy wards and 3 surgical robots. AUH covers most of the modern radiotherapy techniques including a national proton therapy centre and several treatments with radionuclide therapy. AUH also houses cancer biobanks, a high-performance computing facility and an extensive next-generation sequencing facility with access to whole-genome sequencing.

Education

AUH highly prioritizes education of health care professionals in collaboration with Aarhus University and VIA University College. The education program covers medical students, PhD students, physicians, nurses and several supporting disciplines.

Presentation of the Centre

The Copenhagen Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCCC) entails the Clinical Departments of On-cology at Rigshospitalet and Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, and serves the local capital community, and the region/country, for specialized functions and cancer treatment in all organ-systems. Organization as Comprehensive Cancer Center strengthens all aspects of cancer treatment fo-cusing on four key areas: Clinical patient services, quality development, education, and research.

Main Research Activities and Core Facilities

Research is a cornerstone of Oncology within the CCCC and occupies a special place of im-portance and priority at both Rigshospitalet and Herlev-Gentofte Hospital. Also, CCCC is proud to perform education and clinical training of students and Ph.D. scholars in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark. Rigshospitalet has the largest Oncologic phase 1 facility in Scandinavia, with more than 50 ongo-ing trials for solid and hematological malignancies. Over 600 Whole Genome Sequencing profiles, including bioinformatics, are processed annually. The National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK) is based at Herlev- Gentofte Hospital. CCIT-DK performs experimental and clinical projects facilitating fast clinical implementation of new immunotherapies incl. tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) for adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) in metastatic melanoma. Additional research focus areas in CCCC include personalised medicine, radiotherapy (incl. adap-tive techniques), translational research, PROs, and AI-based Real-World Evidence.

Presentation of the Centre

The Copenhagen Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCCC) entails the Clinical Departments of On-cology at Rigshospitalet and Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, and serves the local capital community, and the region/country, for specialized functions and cancer treatment in all organ-systems. Organization as Comprehensive Cancer Center strengthens all aspects of cancer treatment fo-cusing on four key areas: Clinical patient services, quality development, education, and research.

Main Research Activities and Core Facilities

Research is a cornerstone of Oncology within the CCCC and occupies a special place of im-portance and priority at both Rigshospitalet and Herlev-Gentofte Hospital. Also, CCCC is proud to perform education and clinical training of students and Ph.D. scholars in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark. Rigshospitalet has the largest Oncologic phase 1 facility in Scandinavia, with more than 50 ongo-ing trials for solid and hematological malignancies. Over 600 Whole Genome Sequencing profiles, including bioinformatics, are processed annually. The National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK) is based at Herlev- Gentofte Hospital. CCIT-DK performs experimental and clinical projects facilitating fast clinical implementation of new immunotherapies incl. tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) for adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) in metastatic melanoma. Additional research focus areas in CCCC include personalised medicine, radiotherapy (incl. adap-tive techniques), translational research, PROs, and AI-based Real-World Evidence.

Presentation of the Centre

Odense University Hospital (OUH) is one of the five university hospitals in Denmark. OUH offers comprehensive medical care for both children and adults with cancer, guided by the latest medical knowledge and based on the vision of ‘Patient First’. Every year, OUH serves over 1 million patients on an outpatient basis and more than 85,000 patients during hospitalization. In addition to serving as a cancer hospital, OUH also functions as the University Hospital of Southern Denmark across all medical specialities. OUH serves as secondary referral hospital within the region and as tertiary hospital regarding a number of services.

Main Research Activities at OUH

Research at OUH focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration. OUH has had an elite research programme regarding cancer in the elderly (AgeCare) since 2012. The current research strategy is entitled ‘Together we create the patient treatment of the future’ and focuses on research for and together with patients and relatives, evidence-based medicine, excellent research collaboration, a strong research culture and attractive career paths. Overall, OUH has 6 elite centers, 5 centers of excellence and 13 frontline centers. Staffs include 120 professors (36 of them within the field of cancer), 70 adjunct professors and more than 260 PhD students. In 2022, there were published 1916 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers. The Department of Oncology is very strong in radiotherapy research, with many active doctors, physicists, nurses and radiotherapists. There are two professors and one emeritus professor in the field, one medical and one new professor in medical physics. In addition, we have a number of associate professors and clinical associate professors in the field. A large number of articles in highly respected journals are published from the department every year. OUH has a strong focus on telemedicine and has a strong tradition in both research and treatment, e.g. home measurements, apps etc. OUH also houses the Centre of Clinical Robotics (CCR), which strengthens the use of robotics for both logistics and treatment and has Denmark's first center for clinical artificial intelligence (CAI-X) in collaboration with the University of Southern Denmark. OUH is a frontrunner in areas such as cryo-freezing treatment of tumors, PET/MR scans and camera endoscopy in population screening for colon cancer.

Core Facilities at OUH

OUH has 10% of the Danish hospital activity and is a university hospital with all specialties. Management is decentralized and with extensive scope for management layers under the executive board. The chief physician and chief nurse make up the joint department management. Function managers are the third and final layer of management in OUH's 52 departments (29 of these departments are working within the cancer field). The hospital has 896 beds and 10,980 employees, of whom approximately 2,000 are doctors and 3,500 are nurses. In the field of cancer, there have been established several multidisciplinary cancer teams, specializing in areas such as gynecology, gastroenterology, urology and pulmonology. The Department of Oncology provides medical treatment and radiotherapy, while surgical treatment takes place in the surgical wards. Advanced surgical techniques, including robotic surgery, have been implemented in the surgical departments. The Department of Oncology at OUH has six standard physical accelerators and an MRI accelerator (MRL). In addition, there is a surface treatment device for the treatment of skin cancer. The department also has a number of medical treatments and many highly specialized areas. We have around 40 medical protocols with the pharmaceutical industry and many investigator-initiated studies. OUH receives patients from the entire Region of Southern Denmark. For some cancers that require highly specialized treatment, we also receive patients from other regions and in some cases from all of Denmark. In collaboration with the Danish Regions and the Danish Health Authority, so-called cancer care pathways have been created for an array of cancer types. OUH follows these programs, which ensures that OUH follows the guidelines for the best treatment. The treatment at the Department of Oncology is of international standard, and the treatment is coordinated with the other oncological departments in Denmark and follows the content of the ‘National Board of Health's cancer care pathways’. OUH also includes various specialized laboratories for clinical genetics, clinical biochemistry, clinical immunology, medical microbiology and clinical pathology. In addition, genetic tests and consultations are offered by the Department of Clinical Genetics.

Education

OUH collaborates with the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense, which offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. This faculty awards degrees in medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, biomedicine, among others. OUH also collaborates with the Faculty of Health Sciences at University College, which offers bachelor programmes in nursing, Biomedical Laboratory Science, Radiography, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. In addition, OUH participates in the ERASMUS programme and educates a number of students each year.

Presentation of the Centre

Tartu University Hospital (founded in May 1804) and the Medical Faculty of the University of Tartu (founded in 1632) are the two important parts of the Centre. Tartu University Hospital is the largest health care provider in Estonia. High quality tertiary medical care is offered in nearly all specialties. At the same time Tartu University Hospital is the only institution to perform organ transplantations in Estonia. Kidney, liver, pancreas and lungs are harvested by University Hospital’s transplant surgeons' team all over the country. Likewise, pediatric patients with congenital heart diseases are referred to Tartu University Hospital and the Genetics and Personalized Medicine Clinic serves the whole Estonian population. The Cancer Centre of Tartu University Hospital governs and oversees the cancer care continuum across different structural units encompassing prevention, diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation, palliative care, end-of-life care, teaching and research. The Cancer Centre is the only OECI accredited clinical Cancer Centre in Estonia. All clinics and medical services related to the diagnostics and treatment of malignant tumors at the Hospital and the Medical Faculty are involved in the activities of the Cancer Centre.

Main Research Activities

Tartu University Hospital integrates work with scientific research. Education and research are undertaken in close collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine. Both Faculty and University Hospital are widely known for clinical trials and clinical research in human health. In addition, the tight co-operation between the University and the University Hospital creates mutual synergy between preclinical and clinical research. Research activities are connected with the following issues: implementation of therapies and precision oncology; new opportunities of radio- and chemotherapy in glioblastoma multiforme; systemic approach in multiple myeloma; the role of leukemic stem cells in acute and chronic leukemia; hemopoetic stem cells - opportunities to influence. The full list of ongoing clinical trials can be found on the Cancer Centre’s webpage.

Core Facilities

Tartu University Hospital serves as a clinical base for oncology and haematology. Main activities take place in the Haematology and Oncology Clinic, but also Surgery Clinic, Radiology Clinic, Pathology Department, Genetics and Personalized Medicine Clinic, Lung Clinic, Women’s Clinic, Neurology Clinic, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, Palliative Care Department, Patient Service etc.

Education

Tartu University Hospital is the only academic hospital in Estonia. It plays a major role in both undergraduate and postgraduate studies of medical fields. As the leading teaching hospital all the staff is trained to supervise students and residents from the Faculty of Medicine but also nursing students and colleagues from other hospitals.

Presentation of the Centre

The North Estonia Medical Centre (NEMC) is the referral medical facility with core values including best patient care, professionalism, innovation and teamwork. NEMC was founded in 2001 by the Government of the Republic of Estonia through a merger of seven hospitals. One of the merging hospitals was the Estonian Oncology Centre(1946-2001), which had a dignified history, providing for decades all cancer care in the North Estonian region and also more broadly. NEMC is a multimodal center of oncology providing contemporary multimodal and personalized treatment for about 9500 patients with a wide variaty of malignant diseases annually. Innovation and evolution are the keywords of our cancer care.

Main Research Activities

NEMC conducts both clinical research and translational research in association with Estonian and international(EORTC, IAEA etc) working groups and pharmaceutical firms. Cancer epidemiology and statistics studies are conducted in cooperation with the National Institute for Health Development comprising the Estonian National Cancer Registry. Energy metabolism in cancer is investigated in association with National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics and precision Oncology(incl AI) projects with the University of Tartu and Tallinn University of Technology.

Core Facilities

The NEMC's Clinic of Oncology and Hematology was inaugurated in 2010 in addition to already existing clinics. The NEMC has also a Clinic of Rehabilitation and Palliative Care providing extensive services for clinic of oncology. Oncological care is also provided in close cooperation with other NEMC clinics and services and is coordinated by a multiple quality improvement clinical committees. The Clinic of Oncology and Hematology has four higly specialized centres: Hematology Centre, Chemotherapy Centre, Radiotherapy Centre and Day Care Centre, respectively. NEMC Group has about 5300 employees including 690 specialist physicians, 165 resident physicians, 1800 nurses and 1900 auxiliary medical- and non-medical supportive staff.

Education

NEMC is a formal training center for the University of Tartu in pre- and postgraduate medical training. Our oncology centres offers full range of oncology training inlcuding medical oncology, radiotherapy and haematology. Likeweise, we offer training programs to non-oncology residents doing rotations in any oncological subspecialties.

Presentation of the Centre

East Tallinn Central Hospital offers a comprehensive range of services for cancer patients, including prevention, diagnostics, surgery, systemic therapy, follow-up care, and end-of-life care. The Oncology Centre was established in 2012, and since 2021, the hospital has been accredited as an ESMO Designated Centre of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care.
The hospital has 2,500 employees, including 500 doctors and more than 1000 nurses.

Main Research Activities

The hospital conducts clinical research in association with international working groups and pharmaceutical companies. In addition, cancer epidemiology and statistics studies are conducted in cooperation with Health Insurance Fund, the National Institute for Health Development including the Estonian National Cancer Registry.

Core Facilities

• Radiology and nuclear medicine services
• Laboratory and pathology services with slides digitalisation, certified ISO 15189
• Endoscopies for diagnosis and interventional purposes
• Brachytherapy in Eye Clinic
• Surgical treatment
• Chemotherapy
• Pharmacy, compounding centre
• Nursing Clinic with hospice department
• Fertility treatment - freezing and preservation of gametes before radiation and chemotherapy treatment

Education

As a teaching hospital, East Tallinn Central Hospital collaborates with the University of Tartu's Faculty of Medicine and two Estonian Health Care Colleges to train medical students, residents, and nurses.

Presentation of the Centre

HUS Comprehensive Cancer Centre (HUS CCC) combines expertise in several specialties and its clinicians are actively involved in clinical and translational research. HUS CCC is responsible for the oncological treatment of cancer throughout the area of Helsinki and Uusimaa, with a population of approximately 1.7 million. It has overall responsibility for the treatment of cancer patients, integrating the oncological treatment of all cancer types including haematology and breast surgery. Each year, CCC treats over almost 40 000 patients, of whom 15 000 are new patients. The Centre employs almost 700 health care professionals.

Main Research Activities

HUS supports clinical and translational cancer research from first-in-man and early phase I studies to large Phase III and IV trials, and range from surgical oncology, radiation therapy, medical oncology and haematology to palliative care and research on psychosocial aspects of cancer. The scientists of CCC coordinate and take part in national and international clinical trials. HUS CCC has one of the first global hospital-based neutron accelerators for BNCT (boron neutron capture therapy).

Core Facilities

Medical research and care in Helsinki take place under the umbrella of the Academic Medical Centre Helsinki (AMCH), which consists of the HUS and the University of Helsinki and provides a comprehensive collection of core services. Systems medicine approach has been built for preclinical drug research, predictive biomarker discovery and novel personalized medicine clinical trials. Besides haematological cancers the systems precision medicine approach has been expanded to include lymphomas and solid tumours using innovative organoid and cancer-on-a-chip technologies.

Education

As a university level teaching hospital, HUS CCC is responsible for the teaching of medical students, specialist training for clinical haematology, medical oncology and radiotherapy and for the training of graduate students in the fields of clinical and translational oncology and haematology. The Centre also functions as a training unit for the sub-specialty in breast surgery and palliative medicine. In addition, the Centre educates hospital physicists, nursing students, and a formal cancer nurse education program has also been developed in collaboration with the Helsinki Metropolia University of applied Sciences.

Presentation of the Centre

Tays Cancer Centre is a secondary/tertiary referral cancer centre for approximately 0.9 million people. It operates as part of the Tampere University Hospital and covers all aspects of cancer care and research. It has undergone OECI auditing twice (2019 and 2024).

Main Research Activities

Our research areas include prostate cancer, brain tumours, computational biology, ctDNA technology, functional RNAomics, childhood acute leukemic and cancer epidemiology and screening. The multinational research community has over 250 cancer researchers. Clinical/translational research on colorectal, pancreatic and gynaecological cancers is also active. Tays Cancer Centre has a long-standing track record of participation in international clinical cancer trials, with over 100 annually ongoing clinical trials, both investigator-initiated and company sponsored.

Core Facilities

The comprehensive collection of core facilities in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology is available for researchers and includes eg. GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler, Chemagic 360 robot, Chromium ix – GEM- X Universal 3’ gene expression assay service, Chromium iX- single cell molecular analysis and a zebrafish facility.

Education

Tays Cancer Centre/Tampere University Hospital is responsible for teaching of medical students, residents and fellows as well as nursing students in all areas related to cancer diagnostics and treatment. There are two specialized facilities designed for learning of practical skills: Tampere Surgical Education Centre and Tampere Centre for Skills Training and Simulation. Postgraduate education is organized in collaboration with the Tampere University.

Presentation of the Centre

Kuopio University Hospital (KUH) Cancer Centre is a network organization that unites in a multiprofessional approach the key units participating in cancer diagnostics, treatment, research and education in KUH and University of Eastern Finland (UEF).

Main Research Activities

The Multidisciplinary Cancer Research community (RC Cancer) brings together the expertice of research scientists in UEF andclinicians in KUH enabling a unique collaboration between cancer researchers with different backgrounds. The main research areas include translational cancer research, molecular mechanisms, enomics and quantitative imaging features of cancer as well as health economics challenges related to cancer. We also participate in clinical trials and aim at bringing the role of clinical research into the daily clinical practice.

Core Facilities

The network structure of KUH Cancer Centre brings a wide range of core facilities from both KUH and UEF available for patient care and research. The facilities in KUH include e.g., surgical treatment with modern technology, radiotherapy including robotic radiotherapy (CyberKnife®), medical oncology and stem cell transplantations, supportive and palliative care, radiology and nuclear medicine, pathology and genetic services. Biobank of Eastern Finland serves the researchers with high quality sample collections and KUH Science Service Center provides support for research administration.

Education

As a part of the university hospital and UEF, the different units of KUH Cancer Centre participate in educating a large range of health care professionals related to cancer diagnostics, treatment and research.

Presentation Of The Finnish Cancer Center (Fican)

The Finnish Cancer Center (FICAN) is the federation of 23 Finnish hospitals and medical universities working together to improve cancer care and research.

FICAN is mandated by a governmental decree to plan and coordinate national efforts in cancer prevention, diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation, as well as ensure the research base for these activities.

FICAN is organized as a coordinating unit and five regional cancer centers. Of these FICAN South is associated with the HUS Comprehensive Cancer Center, the first Nordic OECI CCC. Three of the regional centers - FICAN East, FICAN Mid and FICAN West - are accredited as OECI Cancer Centers and FICAN North is in the accreditation process.

The Finnish Cancer Center as a national network joined OECI in 2024.

FICAN executes its mandate by facilitating national guidelines and recommendations in screening, diagnostics, and treatments; developing national quality registries; supporting and developing national research and education efforts e.g. in precision cancer medicine (FINPROVE, iCAN, iCANDOC); and supporting the execution of European Beating Cancer Plan and Mission Cancer in a number of EU projects e.g. ECHoS, JANE2, CANDLE, PCM, UNCAN, and eCancer.

Currently a major effort in FICAN is development of the first Finnish cancer strategy with a mandate from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. This is organized as a broad national collaborative effort involving all stakeholders and aimed to identify and engage tools to tackle the cancer tsunami facing Finland during the next decade due to the rapidly aging population.

Presentation of the Centre

The Léon Bérard Centre (CLB) is one of the 18 French Cancer Centers of the Unicancer group. It is a comprehensive cancer Center and a University Hospital involved in screening and care entirely dedicated to cancer, with three overarching aims: care, research and teaching, and the mission to offer the best quality of care to cancer patients. In 2023, the teams of the CLB treated more than 42 000 patients, mainly from the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, but also from other areas of France, from French overseas territory and from abroad. The CLB is a reference and innovation center for frequent and rare cancers and has been selected as the coordinating center for the national network of reference centers for sarcomas and rare ovarian cancers.

Main Research Activities (highlighting any advancements in patient care)

Over 600 full-time researchers are working side-by-side with the medical teams and the patients to facilitate ground-breaking scientific discoveries and their applications in novel treatments.

Core Facilities (clinical or research)

Recognized as a cancer referral and treatment facility, the CLB offers a comprehensive range of care by pooling the required skills that grants patients access to the most innovative technics for diagnosis and treatment on a single site.

• 3 state-of-the art operating units
• 8 accelerators (radiotherapy)
• a Department of Clinical Research certified ISO 9001 intregrating early-stage pediatric and adult trials.
• a Translational Research Department with several shared platforms.

Education

As a University Hospital, teaching is one of its principal missions; the CLB is recognized as a Training Institute that offers training in more than twenty areas to health professionals in the field of oncology, every year.

Presentation of the Centre

Leading Cancer Centre in Europe, Gustave Roussy is ranked #4 world's best oncology hospital according to Newsweek magazine  and the first one outside the United States. The institute treats patients with all types of cancer at any age and is expert in the treatment of rare and complex tumours. We place innovation at the heart of a human, scientific and technological revolution in the fight against cancer.  Our physicians and researchers respond to a continuing challenge: deliver patients the fruits of the most recent advances. They devote their energies and their skills to this great challenge: to speed up progress in order to expand the limits of knowledge and offer patients continuing improvements in the specificity of their treatment.

In the Vanguard of Progress

Gustave Roussy brings together the best workers in fundamental, clinical and translational research. Very close collaboration between research scientists and doctors means that patients get access in the shortest possible time to the very latest developments in treatment. Through the impact of its scientific articles and the presence of its researchers at international conferences, Gustave Roussy proves the effectiveness of its model as an integrated centre for research and clinical practice. The activities of the Institute’s research units are concentrated on personalised medicine, immunotherapy, DNA repair and artificial intelligence Our ambition is immense: extending the frontiers of science, continuously reinventing methods of treatment of patients and exploring every source of innovation. And raise the hope of curing cancer in the 21st century.

High technology medicine in the service of mankind

The Institute has expertise in the management of rare cancers and complex tumours. It treats all cancers at every stage of life. It offers its patients individualised care combining innovation and a humane approach. The treatment is important but so is quality of life, physical, psychological and social.

Education

High level training covering the whole fields of cancer therapy. The transmission of knowledge is inseparable from research. L’École des Sciences du Cancer, founded by Gustave Roussy and Paris-Saclay University is a unique training facility in France and employs top-end teaching staff working on training courses covering every aspect of oncology: from basic research to clinical practice.

Presentation of the Centre

The Institut Curie is a foundation of public interest, which combines one of the largest European oncology research center and two state-of-the-art hospitals. Institut Curie, France’s leading cancer center, combines an internationally-renowned research center with a cutting-edge hospital group, which treats all types of cancer, including the rarest. Founded in 1909 by Marie Curie, Institute Curie employs 3,800 researchers, physicians, and health professionals across three sites (Paris, Saint-Cloud, and Orsay), all of whom contribute to its three missions of treatment, teaching, and research.

Main Research Activities

In the bylaws of the foundation known as Institut Curie, we propose the development of:

• Basic scientific, translational and clinical research in physics, chemistry, biology and radiobiology
• Diagnostics, follow-up and care given to patients within a hospital group belonging to the Unicancer federation
• Development of research and access to innovation, which requires ties with economic players in order to develop innovations and improve scientific knowledge
• Preservation and transfer of knowledge in the aforementioned areas, in particular through teaching and museology activities.

Education

For Institut Curie, teaching is a function that’s inseparable from research and treatment, and as such is fully part of the foundation's social missions. For the preservation of knowledge, Institute Curie is the keeper of the work conducted by the Curie and Joliot-Curie families, and has a duty to pass on the history of this work to a broad audience. Its contribution to the international influence of research and treatment, in particular in oncology

Presentation of the Centre

Institut Paoli-Calmettes (IPC) is one of the largest university-affiliated cancer centers in France. Its priorities are the diagnosis and treatment of adult cancers, prevention, education, and basic, translational and clinical research.
IPC is involved in the management of more than 10 000 new cases of cancer each year. With 2054 staff-members, including 431 physicians and more than 300 scientists, and an annual budget of ~350 million Euros.

Main research activities

IPC carries out an integrated research program encompassing basic science, translational, clinical and socio-medical research. It hosts two research centers, the Center for Cancer Research of Marseille for biological research, and the Cancer, Biomedicine and Society team for socio medical research. Our main research programs focus on breast cancer, hematologic malignancies and pancreatic cancer.

Core facilities

IPC hosts 17 state-of-the-art technological and clinical platforms including a biobank, a department of clinical research and innovation, a data management center, a data factory, an early phase trial unit, and platforms for preclinical assays, experimental pathology, immunomonitoring, oncogenomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, drug discovery, chemo-biology and cell imaging.

Education

IPC is committed to the education and training. IPC is affiliated to the University of Aix-Marseille and runs 4 Master programs and 4 University diplomas in which 420 students were enrolled in 2023.

Presentation of the Centre

Institut Universitaire du Cancer Toulouse – Oncopole combines a centenary affiliated cancer centers in France, Oncopole Claudius Regaud, and Toulouse University Hospital oncology teams. It is strategically and physically linked to CRCT (Toulouse Cancer Research Center). This Comprehensive Cancer Center treats cancer patients, develops basic, transfer and clinical research and provides teaching. Opened 10 years ago in 2014, IUCT-Oncopole is involved in 11 113 new cases of cancer each year management. 2 175 staff-members including  191 physicians and  147 researchers are devoted to therapeutic innovation. The proximity and the pooling of platforms foster the care/research continuum

Main research activities

The CRCT (INSERM, CNRS and University) integrates research programs in 4 different fields: Cell Signaling & DNA Damage Response, RNA & Cancer, Microenvironment & Metabolism, Onco-Immunology. Its purpose is to solve problems and making discoveries through basic science that can lead to the development of anticancer agents and treatments.

Core Facilities

The innovative techniques for diagnosis and treatment at the service of patients for a global management:

• Medical oncology : 105 beds & places, oncogenetic service, MDT meetings, supportive care (therapeutic educational program, palliative care…).
• Clinical Trials: INCa-certified early phase centre by the French Cancer Institute, certified ISO 9001:2015, conducting phase I trials (part of the leading 3 national centers).
• Surgery: 65 beds & places,7 operating rooms, 50% of outpatient care for senology ; telerobotic, local cryotherapy (urology), per operative radiotherapy...
• Hematology and Internal Medicine: 100 beds & places, 150 clinical trials in progress.
• Nuclear medicine & Imaging: 18 beds & places, PET Scan, MRI, gamma cameras, 3D imaging.
• Radiotherapy: 7 accelerators (including tomotherapy), innovative techniques.
• Resuscitation unit: 12 beds
• Anatomopathology: telepathology, liquid and solid tumors, 1 000 exams/week, 2 special rooms for analyzing surgery samples quickly.
• Pharmacy:  125 000 chemotherapies/year, radiopharmacy, certified ISO 9001:2015

Education

Major changes in the practice of oncology must be taken into account and anticipated in training and teaching. This center of convergence for all disciplines represents an ideal forum for initial and continued training across the entire oncology fields.

Presentation of the Institute and history

The Cancer Institute AP-HP. Nord – Université Paris Cité is a joint venture between 7 University hospitals of Université Paris Cité, all located in the north of Great Paris area: Saint-Louis, Bichat, Beaujon, Robert-Debré, Lariboisière, Louis-Mourier and Bretonneau. They gathered their forces in all oncology fields, developing reference activities in bone marrow transplantation, cell-therapies (CAR-T) and early phase clinical trials, to provide high-level cancer care and research, as a heritage of Nobel Prize winner Prof. Jean Dausset, the discoverer of the Major Histocompatibility Complex.

Main Research Activities

The Cancer Institute AP-HP. Nord – Université Paris Cité gathers 13 basic research teams and 25 clinical teams participating to a rich translational and basic science research activity in oncology, dedicated to hematological malignancies, cell therapy (Saint-Louis Research Institute), and solid cancers (Research Center on Inflammation), with the rise of targeted therapies and immunotherapy, based on the use of genomics biomarkers, cell biology platforms, bio-banking, and innovative imaging techniques. Moreover, our research activity builds on the strengths of the recently granted SIRIC InsiTu, SIRIC Paris Kids Cancer and IHU THEMA-2.

Core facilities

The Cancer Institute AP-HP. Nord – Université Paris Cité relies on outstanding facilities including 94 operating rooms - including 5 surgical ambulatory rooms, 2 PET- CT, 2 PET- SCAN, 1 PET-MRI, 11 MRI, 8 gama-cameras of which 2 coupled with CT-scan, 14 scanners, 7 bronchial and digestive endoscopy wards, 7 surgical robots. The radiotherapy department covers most of the modern radiotherapy techniques. The Meary cell-therapy Center at Saint-Louis Hospital is the most important facility in France for manufacturing CART-cells, while bone marrow transplantation activity is the greatest in Paris area, and beyond, in France.

Education

The Medicine Education and Research Unit, Faculty of Health of Université Paris Cité makes transformation and educational innovation its priority at all stages of training. Several PhD programs in cancer are coordinated by the Université Paris Cité hospitals and basic science research units.

Description of the Centre and History

The Institute comprises three University hospitals in central-west Paris: European Georges Pompidou, Cochin, and Necker-Enfants Malades. Partnered with Université Paris Cité, they excel in oncology, delivering high-quality cancer care, research, and education. Annually, it treats 8,000 new cancer patients and employ 2,500 staff, including 220 physicians & 350 researchers.

Main Research Activities

The Institute’s research is recognized as a cancer integrated research site (SIRIC CARPEM) by the French National Cancer Institute. Collaborating with 22 research teams from Université Paris Cité and 12 clinical teams, the Institute focuses on identifying biomarkers for precision medicine, integrating “omics” with immunology to tackle 21st-century oncology challenges. In 2023, the Institute published 466 papers in peer-reviewed journals (23% with an IF>10).

Core Facilities

Supported by outstanding hospital facilities (24 operating rooms, surgical robots, PET scans, MRIs), the Institute also offers advanced radiotherapy techniques, including conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The clinical research is robust, with 198 clinical trials initiated in 2023 and an early phase trials center accredited by the French National Cancer Institute. High-level technical research platforms in genomic, metabolism, proteomic, spatialomic, and AI/bioinformatic are available.

Education

The Institute trains over 240 medical students and 60 PhD candidates in oncology annually, with 115 university professors and lecturers involved in their education. Members have access to more than 100 oncology seminaries each year.

Presentation of the Centre

Created in 1925, the Centre Baclesse in Caen has been carrying out a triple mission in oncology for nearly 100 years: treatment, teaching and research. The Centre Baclesse is a nonprofit private health car establishment of collective interest (ESPIC). As a public hospital service provider, the Centre Baclesse does not operate in the private sector or exceed fees and applies only standard rates. It is recognised as being of public utility and can receive tax-free donations and bequests. The Centre Baclesse is one of only 3 centres in France to offer protontherapy.

Main Research Activities

Sustained activity in both investigation and promotion, with more than 600 patients enrolled at the Centre François Baclesse in category 1 or 2 interventional trials. The clinical research department is labelled by French Health Ministry as Innovation and Research Department (DRCI), labelled by the French National Cancer Institute (INCa) as an early stage cancer clinical trial centre (CLIP²). The most important research programs in the Centre Baclesse include:

• Research in breast and ovarian cancers (organoids)
• New approaches in radiotherapy including preclinical, physical and clinical and quality of life studies focused on stereotactic radiation proton and Hadrontherapy
• Studies of quality of life and survivorships
• Epidemiology with an extensive program of the impact of pesticides
• Oncogenetics
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Core Facilities

Medical department:

• 170 beds (99 conventional and 71 day)
• Pharmacy: Personalized medical treatment including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and supportive cares; Centralised preparation chemotherapy preparation unit. Robotic production of anticancer drugs.

• 50 beds (35 conventional and 15 outpatient)
• 6 operating rooms / intermediate care unit; minimally invasive surgery, robotic-assisted laparoscopy, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, innovative anaesthesia procedures; endoscopy & interventional endoscopy.

• Radiotherapy: 6 accelerators : (1 x Cyberknife®- Accuray/ 1 x Tomotherapy®- Accuray / 2 x Rapid’Arc® /2 x Halcyon®-Varian) / 1 proton therapy unit : Proteus One®/ 1 x intraoperative radiotherapy (Intrabeam®) / Brachytherapy : High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy Source Projector.
• Radiology and Nuclear Medicine: PET-CT / 3 gamma cameras / MRI / CT scan / mammography / breast biopsy device / interventional radiology
• Biopathology department: Cytopathology and molecular diagnosis, NF S 96-900 certified Biobank / Next generation sequencing / Bio-informatic platform, molecular genetic platform / Oncogenetics. Medical biology laboratory and pathology department accredited to ISO 15189:2022 ISO 9001 certified Clinical Research Unit, and ISO 9001 certified Data Management

Education

The teaching mission at the Centre Baclesse is reflected in multiple ways: tutoring, internships, membership in a doctoral school, courses and bibliography sessions, continuing professional training, conferences and webinars within the institution and also many contributions in university teaching (pedagogical responsibility for modules, courses, practical work, tutorials, examination jury). These courses are provided by many health professionals who are keen to pass on their skills and the specificity of oncological care. Scientific training and events are also an important lever for creating a link with all the region's healthcare stakeholders involved in the patient's journey. The continuing education organisation of the Centre Baclesse is Qualiopi certified.

Presentation of the Centre

The Integrated Center for Oncology (ICO) - born in 2011 from the merge of the René Gauducheau Center in Nantes and Paul Papin Center in Angers - welcomes almost 45 000 patients per year thaks to 1300 employees, 200 physicians, 100 residents and 500 students. Specialised in oncology, ICO professionals support patients at every stage of their care pathway, through a personalised, innovating and multidisciplinary approach. Form quick diagnosis to surgery, chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy, ICO also offers patient support services, highly developed in our institution.

Main Research Activities

At ICO research is integrated into daily patient management.

Systemic medicine: Prevention (identifying predispositions to breast cancer in the population) - Personalization (giving the right patient the right treatment at the right time) and Safety (minimizing the toxicity of treatments)

Big data – machine learning: Modelling (integrating heterogeneous patient data to evaluate the cancer’s complexity), Innovation (developing new software tools to improve personalized cancer treatment), and Ethics (ethically managing databases in line with regulatory constraints).

Clinical research: Streamlined resources (using routine clinical data in clinical trials - Profitability (facilitating decision-making and improving the performances of phase III clinical trials) and Innovation (bringing the pharmaceutical industry virtual control arms).

Core Facilities

• Medical oncology – almost 40 000 chemotherapy sessions/year
• Radiotherapy – around 100 000 sessions / year, 11 accelerators and 1 intraoperative accelerator
• Medical imaging – 46 000 exams/year
• Nuclear medicine – more than 18 000 procedures/year
• Internal pharmacy
• Anatomical pathology laboratory
• Support services
• Surgery and Anaesthesia – 8 operating rooms and a monitoring unit, 5 600 surgery stays par year including 66% ambulatory stays

• Genomics
• Proteomics
• Transcriptomics
• Lipidomics
• Biological resource centre – Tumour Bank

Education

At ICO teaching and continuous professional training are a significant part of its mission. The majority of the staff of the cancerology section of the National University Advisory Board (Fr. Conseil National des Universités , CNU) of the Pays de la Loire Region are attached to ICO. Whilst all of the professional staff at the ICO contribute to the teaching mission, University-Hospital staff and University staff actively drive the training policy in the various disciplines present at the ICO.

Presentation of the Centre

Opened in November 2019, ICANS | Strasbourg Europe Cancer Institute combines the Paul Strauss Center, one of the most comprehensive Cancer Centers in France, and the University Hospital of Strasbourg oncology teams. ICANS has been at the forefront of new technologies, and it gathers human assets, state-of-the-art equipment and expertise on a single site, which focuses on preventing high-risk groups from developing cancer, providing personalized treatments and follow-up during and after the disease.

Main Research Activities

ICANS’s researchers are working side-by-side with the medical teams and the patients to facilitate ground-breaking scientific discoveries and their applications in novel treatments. They are focused on the acceleration of the transfer of discoveries to patient care. Clinical (Unit of Clinical Research is certified ISO 9001), translational and fundamental multidisciplinary research teams in cooperation with faculty biology, engineering, science, mathematics, are focused on three strategic approaches: personalised medicine, tumour immunology and DNA repair.

Core Facilities

The core facilities of ICANS | Strasbourg Europe Cancer Institute comprises of:

• Radiology and nuclear medicine: PET MRI, CT scan, MRI, mammography, breast biopsy device, PACS
• PET-scan, gamma cameras (2 beds for outpatients)
• Radiotherapy: 2 Primus accelerators, 2 tomotherapy platforms, 1 Novalis Tx, 1 Clinac iX accelerator and one brachyterapy unit (6 beds for outpatients)
• Anatomopathology
• Oncogenetic
• Surgery: 12 beds (5 beds for outpatients)
• Intermediate care unit: 10 beds
• Medical oncology: 49 beds (42 beds for outpatients)
• Hematology: 47 beds (29 beds for outpatients)
• Supportive care: 12 beds for outpatients
• Clinical Research Unit
• Pharmacy: centralised preparation unit (3 laminar flow hoods)

Education

ICANS | ThStrasbourg Europe Cancer Institute delivers education for university and health profession school students and develops education programs within the Institute.

Presentation of the Centre

The JEAN PERRIN Center, opened in 1973, is a private health institution of public interest, member of the UNICANCER group of the French National Union of Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Certified without restriction by French High Authority of Health in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2016. By actively participating in bringing together scientific research and medicine in order to develop all forms of medical applications, the Nobel Prize in Physics Jean Perrin lends its name to the will of the continuous progress that drives the teams of our Center of Struggle Against Cancer facing the disease

Main Research Activities

The JEAN PERRIN Center is a regional reference hospital for an innovative and high precision cancer treatment and research and is part of the development of ambulatory surgery in all areas of cancerology. Senology activity with breast diagnosis in 1 day and cryotherapy. The new premises of the radiotherapy allowed the installation of 4 accelerators of high precision. The Clinical Oncology Pharmacy unit has seen its activity gradually increase with the acquisition of a Gallium generator and a new TEP SCAN, linking performance and quality. The Center for Innovation and Research in Nuclear Medicine (CIRMEN) at the Jean Perrin Center aims to become a world reference in the field of radiopharmaceuticals. IMOST, an INSERM-labelled research team dedicated to translational research and radio tracers in oncology, was created in 2017.

Core Facilities

• 4 radiotherapy last generation equipments
• 5 scintillation cameras
• 2 TEP Scan
• 2 scanners
• 110 beds: 41 in medicine; 47 in surgery 15 in intensive care / monitoring 7 radio-protected rooms
• 30 places dedicated to chemotherapy
• 5 places for ambulatory surgery
• 2 places dedicated to the care of emergencies in Oncology
• 6 operating theaters

Education

Positive balance of our scientific production. General improvement of the quality of our publications and increased scientific visibility of the Center. Faithful to its innovative spirit, the Center Jean Perrin, has created create a research and innovation group in cancer control organisations in partnership with the Clermont Research Center of Administration and Management (CRCGM - University of Auvergne).

Presentation of the Centre

The Montpellier Cancer Institute (ICM, Montpellier, France), created in 1923 by a French authorities’ ordinance and member of the UNICANCER, has four overarching aims: patients' care, research, prevention and teaching. Facing more than 17,000 new cancer cases in the East Occitanie every year, the Institute has developed a medical and scientific strategy, with a national and international visibility, focusing on a personalized and innovative global patient management (medical, psychological and social) from cancer prevention to post-treatment follow-up. Over the years, the ICM rose at the forefront of the top-performing Comprehensive Cancer Centres for clinical, fundamental and translational research in France.

Main Research Activities

Research focused on the patient, spanning from fundamental biology to clinical applications, is a major founding mission of the Institute and its organized in six areas: prevention, fundamental, translational, clinical and methodological research, and human and social sciences. Over 250 researchers are working side-by-side, and with the medical teams, to progress in the fight against cancer. ICM obtained the SIRIC label (Integrated Cancer Research Center) in 2022 for the third time, from the National Cancer Institute (INCa).

Core Facilities

ICM doctors and researchers have access to state-of-the-art core facilities for the benefit of our patients. These include 1 MRIDianLinac, 6 Linear Accelerators, 9 operating rooms, 2 DaVinci surgical robot systems, 1 PET Scan, 2 MRI, 6 technical platforms (1 CyTOF, 1 Protein mass spectrometry …).

Education

Education is strongly rooted in the ICM culture and its medical/paramedical teams are actively involved in university teaching activities as well as in paramedical training courses. In 2016, the ICM has opened the “Montpellier Cancer School” to offer a variety of training opportunities in cancer-related disciplines to health-care providers and scientists.

Presentation of the Centre

The Centre Eugène Marquis - regional reference centre for cancer management of the Brittany region of France and member of UNICANCER network - was created in 1923, and was established as a regional cancer centre in 1945. It is an academic non-profit private institution that participates in the public health care system, in relation with Rennes’ University. Its missions involve patients’ care (including prevention), education and research, all focused on cancer.

The centre employs 585 health care professionals, dedicated to surgery (breast and skin only), radiotherapy (5 linac including 1 Cyberknife, an MRI-Linac and a brachytherapy unit), medical therapy (solid tumors), conventional (CT-scan and MRI) and interventional radiology, nuclear medicine (diagnostic and therapeutic), biology and supportive care. A total of 22 000 patients per year are treated in the institution (including 8 300 new patients/year).

Main Research Activities

At the Centre Eugène Marquis the research spreads from preclinical studies to clinical trials. Three domains are the core research activities of the center: breast tumors, hepato-biliary tumors, and image-guided radiotherapy. In these domains, prospective multicentric trials coordinated by the centre led to improvement in patient care. Emerging domains are the development of data science, cancer prevention, ethics and early phases trials, focusing on immunotherapy.

Core Facilities

The Centre Eugène Marquis provides facilities for all types of cancer treatments (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, interventional radiology, and nuclear medicine), as well as imaging modalities, and includes both in-patient and ambulatory care (medical,brachytherapy and surgical). A department of supportive and palliative care delivers medical and non-medical supportive interventions. The Centre hosts 3 Inserm research units (focused in cancer biology and image/big data processing), closely linked to the clinical research department (including a dedicated research ward with early phase accreditation) certified ISO 9001.

Education

The Centre Eugène Marquis is an academic centre, with a convention with the Rennes 1 university to provide education to medical students, at regional as well as national and international level. The institution includes several faculty members belonging to the different departments and provides teaching to nurses and other health professionals.

Institute’s presentation:

Professor Oscar Lambret found one of the first cancer department in the Saint-Sauveur Hospital in 1930 in Lille and the Oscar Lambret Center was found twenty five years later in 1955. It is a nonprofit institution collaborating with the different actors such as the French public healthcare system and especially the Lille University hospital Center. It is fully dedicated to oncology including the following practices: chemotherapy, radiotherapy, brachytherapy, supportive care and surgery.

Main Research Activities:

Clinical research is provided by the DRCI (Research and innovation direction) which coordinates clinical trials since 2016. Clinical research policy of Oscar Lambret Center is to give access to the patients to therapeutic innovations and contribute to clinical research developed under the consortium ONCOLille. DCRI has been certified ISO9001 : 2015. This international standard for quality attests the high degree of professionalism, the proper organisation and expertise of our team. In collaboration with the Lille university hospital and Alliance Cancer, DRCI was accredited by the INca and thus obtained the CLIP quality labeling in 2014 permitting the center to conduct early phase clinical trials in adults and children (first in man). The CLIP labelling has been reobtained by the DRCI in 2019 (until 2024), which recognizes our expertise in clinical research in oncology both in adults and children.

Core Facilities

• 9 radiotherapy (latest generation equipments)
• 2 gamma cameras
• 1 PET scan
• 1 3T.MRI and 1 1,5T.MRI
• 2 CT-scans
• 227 beds and places
  • 144 beds: 82 in medicine, 44 in surgery, 10 in intensive care unit, 8 radio protected rooms
  • 83 places: 40 for chemotherapy; 11 for ambulatory surgery; 8 for paediatric ambulatory: 5 for C2S; 14 for DRCI; 1 for nuclear medicine; 4 for venous access and endoscopic exploration unit
• 7 operating theatres

Education

The Oscar Lambret center plays an active role in the training of future professionals carrying out its teaching and research mission. It offers them a wide range of undergraduate and post-graduate education to train the specialists of tomorrow.

The Oscar Lambret training institute (IFOL) permits professionals in the region and beyond to benefit from a proper professional training. More than one throusand people every day are present in the center to be trained.

Description of the Centre

The Bergonié Institute (IB) is the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, one of the 19 french CCC which belong to UNICANCER network. Together with our partner Bordeaux University Hospital Centre (CHU), we are the regional reference center for oncology in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. IB is a non-profit private hospital dedicated to public service which contributes to medical progress and international influence of research in the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer.

Main Research Activities

The research of IB is structured around labeled structures that it hosts or with which it is associated. These structures cover the main areas of research in oncology, basic, technological, clinical, translational research, in epidemiology and public health and in human and social sciences. The offer of early access to new targeted molecules for patients (early phase trials within the framework of the Labeled Center INCa of Early Phases (CLIPP)) is a major focus for the Institute.

Core Facilities

More than a thousand employees, including more than a hundred physicians, ensure various missions such as patient care, research and oncology education. On a single site, the IB offers dedicated inpatient and outpatient cancer treatment including radiotherapy and chemotherapy as well as a number of related support services.

Education

All the medical, paramedical, administrative and logistical sectors of the Institute participate in training actions oriented around oncology. In initial training, the Institute welcomes nursing students, caregivers and electroradiology technicians. The Institute also offers a continuing education program including supportive oncological care, technical care and specific oncology treatments.

Presentation of the Centre

Founded in 1740 by the Jansenist monk Jean Godinot such as a hospital for “cancered” patients, the Institut Godinot was the first cancer center in the world. Member of the UNICANCER network, the current Institute is an institution exclusively dedicated to oncology, with a Department of Surgery-Anesthesia, a Department of Radiotherapy and a Department of Medical Oncology. In addition, the Department of Imagery and Nuclear Medicine, the Pharmacy Department and the Department of Onco-biology, together with the Support Care Department, ensure the multidisciplinary and comprehensive care of patients.

The quality of care provided has been recognized by the certification of the French Haute Autorité de Santé at level “high quality of care”, namely the highest level of quality.

Main Research Activities

Research is divided into:

• Clinical research, with 10% of patients included in clinical trials; moreover, the Institute's Clinical Research Department was ISO 9001 certified in 2017. Clinical research is organized in collaboration with the local university hospital.
• Academic research, closely linked with the University of Reims.
• Epidemiologic research, conducted through a thyroid cancer registry, qualified at a national level since 2000.

Institut Godinot has also a certified and labelled Biological Resource Centre, including tumor and serum libraries.

Core Facilities

Godinot Institute’s infrastructures and equipment allow patients to access innovative diagnostic and treatment techniques:

• 114 beds and places
• 4 operating rooms
• Medical oncology: almost 17,000 chemotherapy sessions / year
• Radiotherapy: 5 accelerators – around 32,000 sessions / year
• Nuclear medicine: 3 gamma cameras, 2 PET scan – more than 13,500 procedures / year
• Medical imaging: 2 mammography, 1 MRI, 1 scanner – 21,500 exams / year
• Anatomical pathology laboratory
• ISO certified biobank
• ISO certified clinical research unit

Education

Godinot Institute plays a full role within the Faculty of Medicine of Reims and is the reference institution for training in oncology in our territory at two levels: graduate and post-graduate medical education and training.

The Institute's university staff are responsible for initial training in cancerology for medical students (all specialities), specific training for practitioners specialising in oncology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine, and paramedical training in cancerology. The institute supervises interns and residents in medicine and pharmacy cursus.

Post-graduate educational programs are additionally developed by the institute, destined to liberal practitioners (pharmacists, general practitioners, nurses, …).

Presentation of the Centre

The Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, the first dedicated cancer treatment centre in Nancy, was created in 1924 with the acquisition of a Radium source in a surgical department. A group of pathologists, radiologists and surgeons was created then developed and became one of the French Regional Cancer Center in 1946. In 1976, a new hospital was built exclusively dedicated to cancer care which now includes 99 beds and 56 places and technical platforms on a surface of 30 000 square meters. The Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine is a French Comprehensive Cancer Centre (FCCC), a non-profit health care institution, member of the UNICANCER Group. It houses all the human and technological means involved in the treatment, education and research in oncology.

Main Research Activities

Research is focused on clinical research, from phase I to III academic and industrial trials with 1120 studies producing 100 publications in 2023. Breast and digestive (colorectal and pancreatic) international publications are produced. for diagnostic and adaptation of the treatments. Translational research is developed by the Unit of Tumor Biology innovations with a special focus on liquid biopsies wich can improve diagnosis and treatments

Core Facilities

All techniques of diagnosis and treatment are available:

• The department of Radiotherapy is equipped with 6 linacs (35.000 fractions) including a Cyberknife and HDR-BT ans prostate seed implant facilities
• The department of Medical oncology delivers 25.000 cancer treatments, accompagned by a supportive care unit.
• The department of Surgery ( all except children and neurology) treats 3500 patients and has access
• Pathology, molecular biology, oncogenetic
• Imaging (except nuclear medicine in convention with university hospital)…

Education

Initial education is performed by professors, physicians and nurses, in medicine school, nurses schools and technicians of radiology. An e-learning school is developed as well as the participation to the virtual hospital program of the regional university of Lorraine. Over all, more then 4000 hours are dedicated for teaching courses.

Presentation of the Centre

The DKFZ is the Germany´s largest biomedical research centre with more than 3000 staff and to one of the leading biomedical research institutions worldwide.

Main Research Activities

Research at the DKFZ is conducted in approximately 100 research units that can be assigned to sfiveix Research Programs:

• Cell and Tumor Biology
• Functional and Structural Genomics
• Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention
• Immunology, Infection and Cancer
• Imaging and Radiooncology

Core Facilities

DKFZ Core Facilities provide the infrastructure for excellent research. Researchers find assistance in the planning, conduct and analysis of their experiments. Cutting-edge techniques and equipment in the areas of genomics and proteomics, imaging and cytometry and information technology are available. The sophisticated animal laboratory service takes care of the in vivo experiments.

Transfer

To transfer promising approaches from cancer research to the clinic and thus improve the prognosis of cancer patients, the DKFZ cooperates with excellent research institutions and university hospitals throughout Germany:

• National Center Tumor Diseases (NCT, 6 sites)
• German Cancer Consortium (DKTK, 8 sites)
• Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ) Heidelberg
• Helmholtz Institute for Translation Oncology (HI-TRON Mainz) - A Helmholtz Institute of the DKFZ
• DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim
• National Cancer Prevention Center (jointly with German Cancer Aid)

Training and Career Development

The DKFZ attaches great importance to excellent and continuous training during all stages of the scientific career. The services we offer include:

• Master’s program Molecular Biosciences
• International PhD Program
• Cancer Prevention Graduate School
• German-Israeli Helmholtz Research School in Cancer Biology
• International Postdoc Program
• Clinician Scientist Program
• The Cancer Information Service (KID) provides cancer patients, their families, and other interested parties with understandable and updated information.

Presentation of the Center

The University Cancer Center (UCT) Frankfurt was established in 2008 as a collaboration between the Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt and the Nordwest Hospital. It holds the title “Oncology Center of Excellence” by the German Cancer Aid and focuses on five key areas: multidisciplinary patient care, translational cancer research, education, outreach, and patient engagement. Since 2019, the UCT includes the University Hospital Marburg, forming a Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium. Under the leadership of the UCT, the ONCOnnect consortium aims to improve the local outreach of all comprehensive cancer centers in Germany to ensure the best possible treatment for cancer patients close to their home.

Main Research Activities

The UCT aims to transform molecular data into new cancer treatments and conduct practice-changing clinical trials. Its five interdisciplinary research programs focus on molecular diagnostics and biomarker discovery, molecular mechanisms of cancer, preclinical models, drug development & novel therapeutic approaches, and clinical trials & outcome research. UCT Frankfurt is also a partner in the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK).

Core Facilities

UCT members have access to advanced core facilities, including cancer databases, biomaterial collections and organoid biobanks, bioinformatics, as well as clinical trial resources. Shared resources include high-end imaging, genetic screening facilities, and a GMP facility for cell therapeutics.

Education

The UCT offers interdisciplinary training for medical students, doctors, and nurses and supports young researchers such as clinician scientists or junior group leaders through various programs like the Mildred Scheel Career Center.

Description of the centre and its history

Established in 2014, the Comprehensive Cancer Center Munich (CCC Munich) is a German Cancer Aid designated Center of Excellence in Oncology. It aligns two university hospitals, the LMU Klinikum and the TUM Klinikum. This successful collaboration has resulted in well-established synergistic structures for cutting edge cancer care, excellent high-level research, outreach and education.

Main Research Activities

The CCC Munich has greatly expanded its expertise in the field of prevention, patient-oriented research, new medical technologies in precision medicine, molecular stratification/therapy, and immune-oncology. Ares of expertise are supported by multidisciplinary programs for bi-directional translation, proof-of-concept studies, and clinical research programs. These focus areas are further strengthened by a dedicated infrastructure for data management/artificial intelligence.

Core Facilities

An excellent and broad ranging spectrum of techniques, specialized centers and equipment is provided such as: phase I/II units, a clinical trial center, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, translational cancer research, a Center of Organoid Systems and Tissue Engineering, facilities for bioimaging and bioinformatics and a GMP Facility.

Education

With the aim of improving access to education and training at the highest academic level, the CCC Munich offers numerous education and qualification programs for the general population, patients, students and HCPs.

Presentation of the Centre

The Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF) aims to significantly improve the care of all cancer patients in Bavaria, a state in the southeast of Germany. In the BZKF the six Bavarian University Hospitals, their respective Universities as well as their associated Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCC) have joined forces to form a strong network. The six sites in Augsburg, Erlangen, Munich (Ludwig-Maximilians-University and Technical University of Munich), Regensburg and Würzburg are closely working together, sharing their expertise, findings and resources.

Main Research Activities and Core Facilities

The BZKF has been pursuing the goal of translating innovative therapeutic approaches from cancer research into rapid clinical application. Here lies a focus on conducting clinical trials and studies collectively across all six sites in Bavaria, supported by a joint BZKF study contract template. To this end, clinical trials and studies on numerous tumor entities have been established, providing patients access to the best possible, newest and innovative therapies. The structures created within the BZKF also enable us to optimally interact with pharmaceutical as well as medical device industries, strengthening Bavaria as a location for business and innovation. In addition to developing new treatment methods for cancer, the BZKF also focus on cancer prevention, diagnostics, therapy and public information. The free telephone service PublicCancerHotline for example, helps those affected with questions on the subject of cancer. Together, the BZKF supports every step from bench to bedside, enabling patients to receive the best possible care.

Presentation of the Centre

Founded in 1935, Saint Savvas Oncology Hospital is the first Institution in Greece exclusively dedicated to cancer treatment and care. As a public entity since 1991, St Savas Hospital has become a cornerstone in the fight against cancer, providing comprehensive services in prevention, research, diagnosis and treatment.

Main Research Activities

Saint Savvas Hospital participates in national and EU-funded research projects, involving translational, preclinical and clinical studies. The hospital has initiated phase I and II clinical trials for the active immunotherapy of patients with various types of cancer. Its Biobank, stores over 500 human biological specimens linked to detailed clinicopathological data.
The hospital houses advanced infrastructure including:

• Cancer Genomics/Transcriptomics: Genomics and transcriptomics platforms for novel biomarker and drug discovery.
• Cell Imaging: Advanced microscopic techniques and image analysis for cellular studies.
• Flow Cytometry and cell-sorting: for immune phenotyping and diagnostics.
• Biostatistics: Analysis of genomic/transcriptomic data using advanced software.
• Cellular and Molecular Laboratory: For the analyses of mechanistic pathways and signal transduction in the frame of translational research.

Education

Saint Savvas Hospital is committed to knowledge dissemination through its educational programs led by its scientific and administrative teams. These initiatives will focus on advanced biomedical and clinical research, health care quality, and public health policies.

Presentation of the Centre

The General Cancer Hospital of Piraeus “METAXA” is managed by the National Health System of Greece, and it is a public law entity supervised and funded by the Greek Ministry of Health. The core competence of “METAXA” is to promote, raise and coordinate high quality care, diagnosis and treatment to all Greek patients regardless of the racial, social, and financial status. We seek to operate as a modern Oncology Hospital that fully meets the needs of its patients and provides specialized services of primary, secondary and tertiary health care to the oncology patient.

Core Facilities

Our cornerstone is the improvement of the functionality of the Hospital through the implementation of quality systems for the modernization of the provided services such as:

• DA VINCI robotic surgery system. We are the only public hospital in Greece that has a Da Vinci robotic system.
• Quality Management System: A Quality Management System, adapted to the requirements of the International Standard ISO 9001:2015, in the following departments: Blood donation unit, Day care unit, Homecare Clinic, Emergency department, Radiology department and administrative admission office. Within the first trimester of 2024 is scheduled the installation of ISO 15224:2017 in: Gastroenterological Endoscopy Clinic, Department of Oncology Megatherapy, Hematology Clinic, Surgical Clinic, Department of Anesthesiology
• Investigation trials and studies: For the year 2023 had been carried out 28 investigation trials and studies.

Presentation of the Centre

The National Institute of Oncology (NIO), established In 1936 under the name of Eötvös Lóránd Radiology and X-ray Institute, over the years has become the hub of Hungarian oncology and today NIO treats approximately 16 000 patients. NIO coordinates and develops the National Cancer Control Programme, houses the National Cancer Registry, organizes the Hungarian National Cancer Control Program and coordinates the Hungarian Oncology Network. Annually NIO has an extended international network with partners in 5 continents, participates in numerous European initiatives, and is a member of most major EU and international organizations.

Main Research Activities

NIO’s multidisciplinary research platform covers the areas of clinical, translational, and basic research. We have 5 dedicated research departments, along with several clinical and diagnostic departments actively involved in research activities and supported by the Institute as well as by external funding from international, EU and Hungarian grants. There are currently over 100 running investigator-initiated, EORTC, IBCSG or company sponsored clinical trials (phase I-IV) at NIO. In 2023, the total impact factor of the research papers published by the institute's clinicians and researchers was 1460.1.

Core Facilities

Research: Oncology Biobank Centre
Next Generation Sequencing facility: Illumina NovaSeq 6000; NextSeq 550Dx, MiSeq System
Complex molecular pathology department: Genexus Systems, fully automatized work flow
Mass spectrometry: Thermo Scientific Q Exactive Focus Orbitrap, LTQ XL linear ion trap and Orbitrap Exploris 240 mass spectrometers
Confocal microscope: NIKON Eclipse 80i C1 confocal microscope
Flow cytometry: Beckman Coulter Cell Lab Quanta SC, CytoFlex SRT and Cytek Northern Lights flow cytometers
DNA chip and high throughput protein expression profile analyzer
Animal House at Special Pathogen Free level: breeding BALB/c, C57Bl/6, BDF-1, DBA2 and immunodeficient mice, license from Jackson Laboratory to use NSG immunodeficient mice

Clinical: DaVinci X and DaVinci Xi robotic surgical systems
X-Ray devices:
GE DISCOVERY XR656 HD
GE Optima XR220
Solution For Tomorrow AB
Carestream CS9600 Cone Beam CT
4 CT scanners:
Siemens SOMATOM DEFINITION (64 slices) CT
GE REVOLUTION Evo (128 slices) CT
Siemens Somatom Go topometric CT
GE Optima topometric CT
3T MRI facility with spectroscopy: Siemens Magnetom Lumina 3T
Siemens Magnetom Free.Max MR 0,55 Tesla for brachytherapy planning
Mediso Nucline AP gamma camera
Mediso Anyscan SP two headed SPECT-CT
Mediso Anyscan SP TRIO three headed SPECT-CT
2 mammography facilities: Siemens Mammomat Relevation, GE Senographe Essential
Interventional radiology unit: Siemens AXIOM ARTIS ZEE FLOOR MN
6 conventional radiation therapy accelerators with IMRT / IGRT / stereotactic system (the latter with 5 machines)
1 Cyberknife
Brachytherapy
Laser surgery facility
Full range endoscopic surgery facility
Central pharmacy
Clinical research unit

Education

NIO is a department of Semmelweis University of Medicine and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Târgu Mures. We also host the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Semmelweis University and we are involved in the education of graduate students and we organise courses for medical doctors, researchers and nurses in various fields of oncology, laboratory medicine, genetics, pathology. PhD students are also supervised by our senior colleagues. NIO regularly organises patient education courses throughout the year. Postgraduate training in oncology was first developed at the NIO and the majority of the specialist exams are still taken here today. The Institute is also taking a leadership role in robotic surgery training in the CEE region. Our professors are accredited and highly engaged in graduate and postgraduate teaching activities at the Universities of Pécs, Debrecen and Szeged. We produced fundamental textbooks that are used nationwide.

Presentation of the Centre

Since being founded in 1901, National Korányi Institute for Pulmonology (OKPI) has become an internationally recognized centre of excellence in respiratory diseases in terms of prevention, patient care, research and development, as well as education and methodological development. In the beginning, we started to fight the dreaded tuberculosis with success. Over the last decades, our tasks have expanded further mainly with the treatment of lung cancer, asthma and other respiratory diseases (e.g. COPD, cystic fibrosis). During the COVID pandemic, we also played an important part in controlling this kind of disease. Our high-quality professional work has a framework by the spirit of tradition, innovation and commitment. We welcome the patients who come to us with due social sensitivity and a high degree of empathy.

Treatment

Our pulmonary departments help patients through the critical period with non-invasive ventilation, while the respiratory intensive care unit provides them mechanical ventilation in case of need. In addition to the most modern pharmaceutical medicines, services for health rehabilitation and smoking cessation counselling can make the treatment completed. A specific form of respiratory disorders is the sleep apnea syndrome, which can be recognized by the latest technologies applied in the sleep medicine laboratory and then appropriate treatment is also recommended. Besides, we treat patients suffering from tuberculosis in a well-isolated department. Among respiratory diseases, lung cancer has taken over the leading role for the last few decades. In the institute, comprehensive cross-section of lung cancer care is available. The detection of lung cancer at the earliest period is made possible by applying the most modern low-dose CT scan (LDCT). Our hospice-palliative department provides help to incurable patients and their family members.

Research

Our institution takes part in a wide range of national and international research programmes. Among these, the following areas should be highlighted: studies in relation to small cell and non-small cell lung cancer, the identification of new biomarkers, and the promotion of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening (e.g. SOLACE, EU4Heatlh, EUCanScreen).

Education

Our colleagues give lectures on the topics of pulmonology and oncology to university students and those pursuing professional studies. Our institution welcomes future doctors (M.D.) and other specialists for internship. In addition, we regularly present the latest experiences and research results related to different areas of pulmonary medicine in the form of further training.

Presentation of the Centre

Landspítali University Hospital is the largest healthcare facility in Iceland and provides general hospital service for those who live in the Reykjavík area, and tertiary care for the entire nation. The total population in Iceland is 400.000 inhabitants, two thirds of them living in Reykjavík capital area, where Landspítali is located. Landspítali is the main provider of cancer services in Iceland for both children and adults. Each year, Landspítali serves more than 330.000 individuals on an outpatient basis and admits more than 26.000 patients.

Main Research Activities at Landspitali

Landspítali is the only University hospital in Iceland and has a collaborative agreement with the Univeristy of Iceland as well as joint positions for faculty. There is both clinical and basic cancer reserach at Landspitali, and faculty at Landspitali collaborate with both national and international scientists. Landspitali has recently joined in two EU4Health projects.

Core Facilities at Landspitali

Landspítali is structured into six clinical sections. Emergency, Internal medicine and Rehabilitation services. Cardiovascular, Ophthalmology and Cancer services. Surgical, Perioperative and Intensive services. Women´s and Children´s services. Mental health services. Clinical Laboratory and Support services. Total of 650 hospital beds. 21 operating rooms and 16 intensive care beds. At Landspítali we have 40 medical specialties, including oncology, hematology, palliative medicine and radiotherapy. Landspítali hosts several multidisciplinary cancer teams specializing in areas such as pediatric cancer, breast, gastroenterology, urology, pulmonology, head and neck cancers and a specialized steam cell team. Within the oncology service Landspítali has 44 inpatient beds, 18.000 chemotherapy visits, 13.000 radiotherapy visits, and 20.000 palliative home care visits. The radiotherapy unit is equipped with two modern linear accelerators capable of IMRT, IGRT, VMAT, RMS, and brachytherapy.

Education

Landspítali is the University hospital of Iceland. It provides undergraduate and postgraduate education in collaboration with the Universtity of Iceland and University of Akureyri.

Presentation of the Centre

The Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute integrates the long tradition of outstanding comprehensive cancer care delivered at Ireland’s largest academic health campus at St. James’s Hospital in central Dublin. In 2016, Trinity College Dublin and St. James’s Hospital established a joint initiative to develop the Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, bringing together the unique and complementary attributes of both institutions in the field of cancer.

Main Research Activities

Research at the Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute is an integrated, thematic programme which involves fundamental science, translational medicine, health economics and planning, and global health. Our research strategy builds on existing strengths and integrates key research areas across 4 main themes, namely cancer prevention, molecular and precision oncology, cancer immunology and cancer survivorship and supportive care. Clinical research spans the breadth of these 4 themes and results in a horizontally and vertically interwoven, multidisciplinary, vibrant cancer research network based on the infrastructure provided by the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Smurfit Institute for Genetics, CRANN and Trinity Translational Medicine Institute.

Core Facilities

Primary core facilities exist at the Trinity Translational Medicine Institute and the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute – comprising Biosafety facilities, The Irish National Centre for High Content Screening and Analysis, Bioresource units and Laboratory for Characterisation of Advanced Biological Materials in addition to the Centre for Advanced Medical Imaging, and the Wellcome Trust – HRB Clinical Research Facility.

Education

The Institute provides extensive education programmes in Translational Oncology for undergraduate and postgraduate students, scientists, clinicians, nurses, healthcare professionals and allied healthcare workers. These programmes are also designed to engage with public-patient involvement (PPI activities). The Institute offers scholarships and fellowship opportunities in clinical and translational research and directs a career development programme for young investigators.

Presentation of the Centre

The Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre is made up of Beaumont Hospital, the Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland (RCSI) and St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network. Beaumont Hospital is one of 9 designated cancer centres in Ireland under the auspices of the National Cancer Control Programme, one of eight regional centres with a full diagnostic and treatment pathway for breast, rectal and prostate cancers; one of four centres that treat patients with cancers of the upper gastrointestinal system and one of two centres that have a full pathway for patients with neuro-oncology tumours. The Beaumont RCSI Cancer centre aims to work closely with other hospitals and community services to ensure appropriate aspects of patient care are delivered as close to home as possible

Main Research Activities

The Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre has a strong reputation in translational research, the university’s field-weighted citation impact is the highest in Ireland. The mission of the Centre is to provide innovative evidence-based care to our cancer patients. Our strategy is to undertake patient centric research to cement our international standing in systems medicine, imaging and integrative genomics. Research programmes are based on disease area and are underpinned by our clinical trials and translational research platforms. The Centre will build on key national and international partnerships to enable us to lead investigator initiated clinical trials and large-scale epidemiological studies. We will collaborate across academia, patient groups, charities and industry to rapidly develop our cancer innovations for the clinic

Education

Beaumont Hospital and the RCSI have been partners in the delivery of high-quality education for many years. As a cancer centre we are committed to providing excellence in cancer education to patients, their families and all staff involved in cancer care, services and research. On a greater scale our ambition is to collaborate with leading cancer centres in Europe to continuously improve and develop in order to respond to the needs of our patients, offering high quality care in an environment in which research and education flourish.

Presentation Of The Centre

The HSE West North West, University of Galway, Cancer Centre provides cancer care to the West and Northwest of Ireland. Governance is through a Cancer Managed Clinical and Academic network (MCAN) led out of the Cancer Centre at Galway University Hospital (GUH) - designated cancer centre in the National Cancer Control Programme (Ireland) since 2006 - and affiliated regional hospitals.

Main Research Activities

Research is an integral part of the HSE West North West, University of Galway, Cancer Centre in collaboration with the academic partner, University of Galway. Key enablers of cancer research are the Lambe Institute for Translational Research and the Health Research Board-funded Clinical Research Facility, both co-located with the GUH Cancer Centre.

These centres facilitate cancer clinical trials including first in human studies, a cancer biobank (biological samples and data for breast, colorectal, prostate, lung, and endocrine tumours), and medical device research and application.

Core Facilities

Clinical cancer core facilities include surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology (soon to be delivered from the new GUH National Radiation Oncology Facility) and a North-South healthcare agreement which allows access to radiotherapy services at Altnagelvin Hospital in Northern Ireland.

Cancer research cores include the HRB-Clinical Research Facility; cancer biobank; bioinformatics, flow cytometry; bioresource unit; microscopy and imaging; mass spectrometry; patient and public Involvement (PPI Ignite); and the Centre for Cell Manufacturing Ireland (CCMI), a licensed GMP facility for stem cell manufacture.

Education

The education mission of the HSE West North West, University of Galway, Cancer Centre is led out of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at NUI Galway, with regional reach provided via hospital co-located Medical Academies.

The College delivers and supports accredited undergraduate degrees and research programmes for nursing, medical, and health and social care students, and taught and research higher degrees to a multidisciplinary cohort of graduate students.

Presentation of the Centre

Cork University Hospital (CUH), supported by its’ academic partner University College Cork (UCC), is one of the largest university teaching hospitals in Ireland and the largest National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) designated cancer centre in the South of Ireland. The CUH/UCC Cancer Centre provides high-quality care for patients at risk of and diagnosed with cancer, serving a wider population of approximately 1.1 million. The centre treats all major cancer subtypes and is one of only two cancer centres nationally managing surgical care of hepatobiliary/pancreatic and central nervous system tumours.

Core Facilities

Core clinical facilities include inpatient, outpatient and chemotherapy day ward services, alongside surgery and a state-of-the-art Radiation Oncology Centre - one of the largest single-site facilities in Ireland. Multidisciplinary diagnostics are embedded in cancer services and supported by dedicated nursing, allied health, and psycho-oncology teams.

Research and Education

All aspects of cancer prevention and clinical care are integrated with innovative research, education, and training to advance the quality of patient care. CUH houses a robust cancer clinical trials unit (Cancer Trials Cork, site of the UCC Cancer Trials Group) to ensure access to novel diagnostics and therapies for patients with cancer. The broad portfolio encompasses phase I-III therapeutic trials in haematologic/solid malignancies, radiation therapy and surgery; including academic collaborative trials via Cancer Trials Ireland and industry trials, with a developing portfolio of patient-focused investigator-initiated trials. Clinical and translational research currently spans the areas of cancer biology, the microbiome, synthetic biology, precision oncology clinical trials and cancer outcomes research including an expanding portfolio of studies in the cancer survivorship space.

Presentation of the Centre

The St Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre - a joint venture between St Vincent’s Healthcare Group (comprising St Vincent’s University Hospital and St Vincent’s Private Hospital) and University College Dublin (UCD) - is one of eight designated adult cancer centres in Ireland and is the nationally designated centre for neuroendocrine tumours (NET), pancreatic cancer and sarcoma. In addition, the centre is one of the largest providers of care for patients with breast, prostate, colorectal and lung cancer and is one of three adult stem cell transplant centres in the country.

Main Research Activities

The Cancer Centre’s Cancer Research Committee coordinates research programmes across the St Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre. The Research Committee reports into the Cancer Centre Executive and has the aim of integrating cancer research with clinical oncology by bringing together leading cancer researchers and clinical oncology to develop improved prevention strategies, diagnostics and treatment options, that can be rapidly translated to patient benefits. The St Vincent’s Cancer Centre encompasses all cancer research activity at the hospital campus, including a specialised cancer trials unit, as well as several UCD based research groups including:

• All-Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI): A UCD established all-island collaborative cancer research project.
• Precision Oncology Ireland: A UCD based precision oncology research cluster.
• Centre for Colorectal Disease: A centre with IBD and colorectal cancer as its twin areas of focus.

Education

The St Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre is committed to providing world-class cancer training and education for all specialities involved in cancer care. In partnership with University College Dublin and other relevant training and accreditation bodies, like the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland, the Cancer Centre educates and trains the next generation of cancer researchers, clinicians, and health care professionals.

Presentation of the Centre

CRO - Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS) opened in 1984 and accredited by the Italian Ministry of Health in 1990 - is a public, no-profit institute that operates under the authority of the Italian Ministry of Health for the clinical & experimental research functions and under the governance of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region for patients’ care.

Main Research Activities

The current research activity at CRO is based on five lines which are consistent with the Institute’s objectives, i.e. translational research in oncology and precision medicine, mainly preclinical. The lines are:

• Tumor genetics and biology
• Tumor epidemiology, prevention and health big data
• Lympho-hematologic neoplasias
• Solid tumors

Clinical research is based on mono- and multidisciplinary therapeutic protocols (conservative surgery in breast cancer; combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy in locally advanced lung cancer; interdisciplinary treatment of intestinal and ovarian tumors and soft tissue sarcomas. Experimental research focuses on: gene alterations; neoplastic transformation and progression; mechanisms of cell adhesion and migration; role of growth factors and growth factor receptors in lympho-hematological neoplasias; mechanisms of drug sensitivity and resistance; mechanisms of action of non-genetic cancer risk factors.

Core Facilities

• Pharmacogenomics
• Proteomics
• Flow cytometry
• Biobanking
• Centralized clinical trials office
• Genomics
• Animal Facility
• In vitro and in vivo imaging

Education

Collaborations with the Universities of Trieste, Udine and others allow the presence at CRO of residents in medical oncology and other relevant disciplines and PhD students. Students can find hospitality in the nearby Campus that also hosts educational facilities.

Presentation of the Centre

IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino (HSM) Comprehensive Cancer Centre (HSMCCC) is the main cancer centre of Regione Liguria. It operates within HSM as a specialised centre for cancer research, treatment, and education. HSMCCC offers dedicated clinical and research spaces and clinical pathways tailored for each patient's need, integrating cutting-edge technology. HSMCCC supports a multidisciplinary and integrated approach among health care professional to provide the best care to cancer people.

Main Research Activities

• Clinical and Translational Studies
• Integration of Oncologic Treatment Modalities
• Evolution of Diagnostic Techniques
• Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics
• Diagnostic and Precision Medicine
• Immunology, Immunotherapy and Cellular Treatment Strategies
• Molecular and Genetic Research
• Prevention and Epidemiology
• Innovative Surgical and Mini-Invasive Diagnostics

Core Facilities

Research and clinical facilities include Robotic surgery rooms, Radiopharmacy, Biological Resources Center, Genomics, Flow Cytometry and Mass Cytometry Laboratory, Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry, Advanced Microscopy lab, Life Science Computational Lab, Animai Facility, Virai Vector Core facility, Research Integrity Office, Technologies Transfer Office, Clinica! Trial Unit Phasel- Cellular therapy.

Education

HSMCCC is affiliated with the Medical School of the University of Genoa, providing many programs in different areas of life sciences related to cancer including residency schools and PhD programs. HSMCCC also welcomes national and international trainees and post-docs.

Presentation of the Centre

The European Institute of Oncology (IEO) is one of the world's leading healthcare facilities specializing in adult cancer treatment. The IEO integrates the various areas related to the fight against cancer such as prevention, diagnosis, treatment, training and education, basic and translational research. The IEO Group includes IEO, Monzino Cardiological Centre and their foundation, Fondazione IEO-Monzino. The strength of the IEO Group comes from the integration of different specialties which combine oncology, cardiology, scientific research and technology transfer.

Main Research Activities

At IEO, a complete integration exists between clinical and research activities in order to translate scientific results into therapy. Basic and translational research takes place at the Department of Experimental Oncology (DEO). IEO has also established various collaborations with the academic world, participating in the university education.
Since its set up, the IEO has contributed to a better understanding of various tumors and has led to new protocols and treatment regimens which have become standard practice both nationally and internationally. The excellence of IEO is reflected also in the IEO innovative organizational model which involves Clinical Programs. Each program brings together all those specialties needed to manage patients throughout the complete clinical pathway, from diagnosis to follow-up.

Presentation of the Centre

The National Cancer Institute of Naples - Fondazione “Giovanni Pascale” (INT – Pascale) is the largest Clinical Care and Research Cancer Center in Southern Italy. It is composed of four buildings in the Main Campus in Naples:

• Main Hospital Building with Operating Theatre (186 in-patient beds);
• Day Hospital and Day Surgery Building (42-day hospital beds);
• Research Building;
• Administrative Building

Main Research Activities

The research activities of the INT- Pascale are financed with intramural funds made available by the Ministry of Health and with competitive grants from public National and International bodies (including EU) as well as from non-profit and profit private bodies The research program is organized in four macro-areas:

• Prevention, one health, quality of life and survivorship
• Immuno-oncology
• Biomarkers and precision oncology
• Diagnostic-therapeutic technology and management innovation.

Core Facilities

Some advances in cancer control:

• Pathology
• Biobank
• Clinical Pathology Laboratory
• Radiology and Interventional Radiology
• Centralized Radiotherapy
• Minimally invasive surgery (2 Robotized “da Vinci” Surgical Systems)
• Pharmacogenomics facility
• Proteomics & Metabolomics facilities
• Animal facility
• Nuclear medicine with Cyclotron and Radiopharmacy
• 4 Phase I facilities (including Nuclear Medicine)
• Drug discovery facility, including in silico, High throughput screening (HTS) and high content screening (HCS) robotic platform for rapid ex vivo drug testing

Education

At INT-Pascale there are four undergraduate programs:

• Two Bachelor of Science in Nursing schools
• Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques
• Bachelor of Science in Medical Radiology Techniques

The Director’s Preface

The IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRE) is the largest Comprehensive Cancer Centre in central Italy, and is renowned for its excellence in the study and treatment of various cancers. IRE's main research objective is the translational management of cancer, which ensures patient-centered care

Description of the Centre and its History

IRE was established in 1933 and was nominated an IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico - Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization, and Healthcare) for the first time in 1938 and was very recently reconfirmed the title of IRCCS in June 2024. IRE performs around 10.000 surgeries annually, including 1.300 robotic surgeries. It has more than 1.500 staff members, comprising of researchers, physicians, nurses and administration personnel. It is composed of two departments: the Department of Clinical and Oncological Research and the Department of Research and Advanced Technologies.

Main Research Activities

Every year IRE publishes more than 400 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, with approximately 10% of them in journals with an IF > 10 in the last few years. IRE is also greatly involved in clinical trials. In 2023, there were a total of 412 open clinical trials, of which 170 were interventional and 242 observational. In 2020, IRE established seven Translational Research Interest Groups (TRIGs) with the aim to enhance the collaboration between clinical and laboratory investigators on specific research themes. In 2018, the institute also established an Institutional Molecular Tumor Board, the first one in Italy. IRE collaborates with several universities and research centers in Rome as well as on a national and international level. Its research is supported mainly by funds granted from the Italian Ministry of Health, the Italian Ministry of University and Research, AIRC, Lazio Region and EC.

Core Facilities

IRE's Personalized Medicine includes Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) diagnostics and advanced facilities for performing accurate analyses. The Bioinformatics Group interprets data from various sequencing and epigenomic studies, utilizing High-Performance Computing environments. The Biobank collects, stores, and distributes human biological materials for research. Quite recently, a central facility for Tumor Organoid generation, molecular characterization and drug testing has been established.

Education

Recognized by AGENAS, IRE provides Continuing Medical Education (CME) through residential, field training, and distant learning methodologies.

Presentation of the Centre

The Comprehensive Cancer Center (CC) of the IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele was formally established in 2021 for

• Promoting synergies and communication between Research and Clinics in Oncology
• Ensuring equal, standardized and high-quality access to cancer patients
• Pursuing the improvement of the outcomes and quality of life of cancer patients

Main Research Activities and Core Facilities

The Centre is promoter and collaborator of national and international clinical, translational and basic cancer researches.

Main Core Facilities are:

Phase-1 clinical Units for early phase studies with accreditation for ATMPs; Biobank, PET and Nuclear Medicine, Clinical Trial Center, Flow cytometry and cell sorting, Omics facilities, Experimental Imaging, Advanced Technology, Animal biochemistry, Animal Histopathology, Preclinical Imaging, Mouse behaviour facility.

Education

Education in oncology is provided by the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (UniSR) as part of the San Raffaele Campus. UniSR offers an International Medical Doctor (IMD) Program, post-graduate residency in Medical Oncology and Hematology and a dedicated PhD Program in molecular medicine focused on cancer biology and immunology.

Presentation of the Centre

The Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV) is a highly specialized research and care provider in Oncology. It specializes in the diagnosis and both standard and experimental treatment of all types of oncologic diseases, including rare and hematologic diseases. Patients with primary, recurrent, and metastatic conditions are managed according to national and international guidelines using the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Specific attention is dedicated to end-of-life treatment and patient-centered care, following a multidisciplinary approach. In addition, IOV is an active research player at the international level. Its clinicians/researchers collaborate with the most important European and international cancer organizations and pharmaceutical companies. It is an accredited member of the European Rare Adult Solid Cancers Network (EURACAN). IOV is the clinical hub of the Veneto Regional Oncology Network.

Core Facilities

Inpatient facilities that comprise oncology wards including end-of-life dedicated unit Advanced radiological diagnostics facility High-tech and robotic surgical facilities High-tech Radiation therapy. Molecular Oncology laboratories evaluating circulating tumor cells and somatic genomic testing for both diagnostic and research purposes. Animal facility.

Main Research Activities

Fundamental and translational research; Tumor immunology; Clinical and translational research and innovative therapies; New logistic care models: Diagnostic, monitoring, and therapeutic pathways with related performance indicators.

Education

The Institute is an official training provider recognized by the Veneto Region. It offers regular training opportunities to the clinical staff and researchers. In collaboration with the Padova University regularly hosts clinicians engaged in residency programs in oncology and PhD students graduating from PhD programs in the Oncology area.

Presentation of the Centre

The Institute in Advanced Technologies and Care Models in Oncology of Reggio Emilia, embedded in the Local Health Authority of Reggio Emilia, has been recognized by the Ministry of Health since 2011 as one of the National Research Cancer Hospitals. The Institute is committed to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of oncological patients. The multidisciplinary approach is the main driver for improving the quality of healthcare.

Main Research Activities

The Institute develops research activities of international standing in the field of oncology and onco-hematology, throughout the whole patient's pathway: from screening to diagnostics, from research on drugs and innovative treatments to research on supportive and end-of-life therapies. The Institute relies on the contribution of approximately 200 researchers, in particular doctors, biologists, nurses and other healthcare professionals who combine research activity with clinical practice. More than 50 are young, full-time researchers: they are mostly biologists, who develop molecular research on different types of tumors, in particular breast, lung, colon, thyroid, lymphomas, mesothelioma, melanoma, etc. Other researchers are engaged in oncological rehabilitation, psychological support for patients and families, and palliative care.

Core Facilities

Care activities are guaranteed by the Oncology and Advanced Technologies Department and by the provincial Oncology Network. Most of the disciplines and professionals involved in the oncology patient pathway are concentrated in the CORE – Oncology and Hematology Centre of Reggio Emilia, a 16,000 square meters pavilion that includes 125 of the Institute's 190 total beds.

Education

In recent years, innovative educational paths have been developed on oncological medicine, palliative care, physician-patient communication, ethics and methodology in research, healthcare management. The Institute also promotes the training of new researchers and their integration into the research and clinical facilities through the doctoral program.

Presentation of the Centre

The Institute of Candiolo is a specialized center for cancer treatment and research, recognized as a scientific research hospital by the Italian Ministry of Health since 2013. The Institute’s mission is to make a significant contribution in cure and research in cancer care, through a multidisciplinary approach, teams of specialists with consolidated experience and expertise and close links between research and clinical units, facilitating rapid transfer of research results into clinical practice.

Main Research Activities

The Institute’s research activities cover a broad spectrum of activities focused on: (i) translational, preclinical and clinical cancer research (profit and no profit trials, phase I-IV); ii) promoting the rapid translation of research findings into clinical practice; (iii) developing and implementing the latest diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using state-of-the-art technologies; (iv) contributing to the early diagnosis and prevention of cancer by identifying underlying genetic or environmental factors.

Core Facilities

• Oncogenomics
• Single cells
• Oncology Imaging
• Flow Cytometry
• Xenopatients
• Experimental Pathology
• Cell Culture
• Gene Transfer Technology
• Clinical Research Unit

Education

The Institute has a framework agreement with the University of Torino and is host to several medical faculty professionals.

Presentation of the Centre

The 'Giovanni Paolo II' Tumour Institute, housed in the historic 'Domenico Cotugno' hospital building, has been an IRCCS since 1985, specialising in oncology. Accredited as an OECI Clinical Cancer Centre in 2015, it focuses on cancer diagnosis, treatment, research, and humanisation of care. The Institute prioritises translational research to improve therapies, integrating clinical and basic research, and is committed to excellence in prevention, diagnosis, and rehabilitation.

Main Research Activities

Research includes clinical and translational fields. Clinical research focuses on active studies involving physicians and biologists, while translational research covers omics analyses (genomics, proteomics, radiomics) on liquid biopsies, leveraging AI to study tumour biology and identify biomarkers, neoantigens, and drug targets. Collaborations in nanotechnology will support new drug formulations. Pharmacological screenings using organoids and tumor fragments will explore tumour microenvironment roles in therapy response.

Core Facilities

The Institute is developing a research infrastructure with 8 core facilities: 1) Tumour Biology and Molecular Therapies; 2) Biomarkers and Molecular Targets; 3) Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy; 4) Omic Sciences; 5) Nanotechnology; 6) Oncological Virology; 7) Oncological Haematology and 8) the Laboratory of Bioinformatics and.

Education

Training is essential for enhancing healthcare professionals' skills and improving services. The Institute offers educational activities for medical, nursing, and technical staff to improve care quality. Continuous Education programs focus on oncology expertise, also engaging General Practitioners for patient care continuity. In collaboration with the University of Bari, the Institute provides training for medical students and graduate researchers. Starting in 2024, a Nursing Degree branch will be offered at the Institute.

Presentation of the Centre

The IRCCS-CROB, Referral Cancer Centre of Basilicata is an autonomous, public, no-profit Institute for Cancer Research and Care (IRCCS). It was recognized by the Italian Ministry of Health and by the Regional Government of Basilicata in 2008 after a starting-up phase shared with the Istituto Nazionale Tumori in Milan. The Institute has two clinical departments (Onco-Haematology and General/Women Surgery) that manage adult solid tumours and haematological malignancies. One additional diagnostic and therapeutic department that includes Radiotherapy, Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory, Radiology/Diagnostic Imaging and Pathological Anatomy. Nephrology, Psycho-oncology and Cardio-oncology services are also available. The Institute coordinates the Regional Cancer Registry and the Screenings for breast, cervix and intestinal cancers and it holds useful relationships with several Universities and other Cancer Centres.

Main Research Activities

According to the institutional research plan, the scientific objectives pursued are:

• new tailored treatments based on molecular traits of tumours (precision medicine)
• novel therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers
• innovation in high technologies (radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy), including procedures for monitoring environmental professional risks tumour epidemiology, preventive/predictive medicine, cancer patients’ quality of life and survivorship.

Core Facilities

• Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
• Thoracic, abdominal, breast, urologic, gynaecologic and plastic/reconstructive specialised surgeries
• Conformational, brachi- and intra-operative radiotherapy (n. 3 linear accelerators)
• Metabolic and radioligand therapies
• Pain therapy (vertebro/kypho-plasty)
• Palliative and Intermediate/Interdisciplinary cares (hospice included)
• Video-mediastinal thoracoscopy 3D
• 3-Tesla RMN with laser-guided system for micro-biopsies
• PET-TC (novel tracers, volumetric evaluation of neoplastic metabolism)
• Bio-banking
• NextSeq 550dx Illumina and Ion GeneStudio S5 next-generation sequencing platforms
• Liquid biopsy (circulating tumor cells)
• Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy 3D and robotic prostate surgery

Presentation of the Centre

The Institute, founded in 1933 by San Giovanni Calabria, is a religious, public entity with a non-profit, private administration. It is accredited by the Regional Health System (Veneto Region) and operate within the national public network. In 2018, it was recognized by the Ministry of Health as an Institute of Recovery and Cure with a Scientific Focus (IRCCS). It collaborates with several Italian Universities for clinical training, teaching and research. In the Institute there are all the main specialties in the medical, surgical, intensive care, maternal-infant and rehabilitation areas.

Main Research Activities

The Institute is engaged in translational and clinical research. The Hospital is a Phase I Centre authorized by Italian Pharmaceutical Agency (AIFA) for conducting Phase I oncological trials. Main important areas of research are: breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, hepatocarcinoma, brain metastasis and oligometastatic diseases. The personalised therapies, the psychosocial interventions in oncological patients and the management of cancer survivors are other areas of research interest.

Core Facilities

Anatomical pathology and Molecular biology, Radiotherapy (n. 3 linear accelerators and n.1 Magnetic Resonance Linear Accelerator - MR Linac), Nuclear Medicine (n. 2 PET/TC) with Radiometabolic Therapy, Cyclotron and Radiopharmacy, Radiology, Analysis Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Antiblastic Drug Unit, Clinical Research Unit, Oncogenetic service, Pain therapy and Palliative care Center. There are also thoracic, abdominal, breast, urologic, gynecologic, plastic/reconstructive and head and neck specialised surgeries, minimally invasive surgery (toracoscopy, laparoscopy, robotic surgery).

Education

The Institute is recognised as official provider of the Continuing Medical Education (CME) and collaborates with several Universities both for hosting PhDs and Specialization Schools of medical, surgical and diagnostic area, and for training students of other healthcare professions (nurses, technicians in radiology, physiotherapists…). An agreement has been signed with the University of Verona for which the Institute is a training site for students in medical degree programs.

Presentation of the Centre

ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia (ASST Brescia, founded in 1427), is one of the largest hospitals in Europe with up to 7000 employees. It is a public general hospital, affiliated with the University of Brescia Medical School, and accredited by Regional Health System of Regione Lombardia. It is structured with a Main Campus, located in Brescia, two Satellite Hospitals, and Health Districts devoted to territorial medical care.

Main Research Activities

Translational research studies, related to both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, are being conducted, focusing on the interaction of the tumor clone and the surrounding microenvironment, development of non-invasive techniques for early tumor detection, clonal evolution, impact of anti-neoplastic drugs on bone and body composition, pre-clinical novel drug and radiation/drug interaction validation, to cite a few. The research mentioned above is the result of ASST Brescia sponsored studies, funded by national and international/EU competitive calls. ASST Brescia has participated to a total of n. 1.971 clinical trials (2019-2023). Dedicated Phase I Units allow pediatric and adult patients to be enrolled in phase I studies. ASST Brescia has been selected as Member the European Reference Networks: EuroBloodNet, EURACAN.

Core Facilities

• Medical Oncology, Pediatric Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Robotic Surgery, Surgery
• Radiology Imaging, Nuclear Medicine
• Palliative care
• Central Pharmacy
• IT Service
• Phase I Unit
• Next generation flow cytometry
• DNA sequencing
• Mass spectrometry
• Molecular pathology
• Clinical Trial Center/Grant Office
• Zebrafish and in vivo animal facility
• Confocal imaging

Education

ASST-BS is affiliated with the University of Brescia Medical School, thus hosting MD students, Residents, Master and PhD students A large portfolio of education and training programs at a post graduated level is offered to health care professionals, including biologists, lab technicians, MDs, nurses , pharmacists, radiation therapy and radiology technologists. National programs for Continuous Medical Education are constantly activated

Presentation of the Centre

The IRST Cancer Institute in Romagna, Italy, founded in 2007 by Prof. Dino Amadori, is a leading centre for cancer research and treatment. Renowned for its innovative approaches and clinical programs, IRST specializes in preclinical research and education, advancing the understanding and treatment of cancer. IRST offers a range of complex clinical services, including Radiometabolic Therapy, Radiotherapy, Advanced Medicinal Products (Somatic Cells and Gene Therapies), and Immunotherapy. Its Precision Medicine Programs tailor treatments to patients' tumors’ molecular characteristics. IRST collaborates with public Health Authorities, the University of Bologna, and the Istituto Oncologico Romagnolo (IOR), integrating into Italy’s National Health Service. It leads the Comprehensive Cancer Care Network with AUSL Romagna to enhance cancer care regionally.

Main Research Activities

Key research areas include:

• Advanced Biomolecular Diagnostics: Enhancing personalized treatment strategies.
• Appropriateness and Outcomes: Optimizing diagnostic-therapeutic pathways.
• Innovative Therapies: Conducting trials and developing novel therapeutic approaches.
• Precision Medicine: Studying genetic and molecular mechanisms for personalized treatment.
• Genetics and Environment: Exploring tumor progression and environmental interactions.

Research Infrastructure and Core Facilities

The institute boasts a comprehensive research infrastructure essential for promoting, conducting, and evaluating cancer care, serving also as a Contract Research Organization (CRO) for external studies. Key facilities include:

• Biosciences and Radiobiology Laboratories
• Flow Cytometry and DNA Sequencing Facilities
• Cell Factory (Somatic Cell Therapy Laboratory)
• Immuno-gene Therapy and Research Factory
• Biological Resource Center and Biobank
• Radiopharmaceutical Production and Antiblastics Laboratories
• Medical Physics Laboratory and IT Services
• Epidemiology and Cancer Registry Unit
• Outcome Research and Data Unit
• Biostatistics, and Clinical Trials Unit
• Research and Innovation Unit

Clinical and Support Services

• Radiometabolic Medicine
• Advanced Imaging 
• Integrative medicine
• Rare tumors and Osteoncology Center
• Genetic Counseling

Education

Since July 2024, a University-directed Medical Oncology Unit (University of Bologna) has been created at IRCCS IRST

Presentation of the Centre

The Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS (FPG-IRCCS) - the largest academic hospital in Italy - dedicates its mission to all diseases with a special focus on oncology, as 60% of admitted patients are affected by cancer. Over the years, it has developed services of care, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation with a multidisciplinary patient-oriented approach through continuous innovation in research and practice. The FPG-IRCCS is a member of the Italian network of Cancer Institutes (Alliance Against Cancer) and is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Health as “research hospital” for “Personalized Medicine” and “Innovative Biomedical Technologies”

Main Research Activities and Facilities

The FPG-IRCCS is involved in basic, translational and clinical research. Its special focus is on molecular disease determinants, biomarkers for treatment response prediction, development of novel and technological cancer diagnosis and treatment approaches, and continuum of care in all phases of illness from diagnosis to the end of life. These research areas are empowered by a large facility dedicated to bioinformatics and AI aimed at improving imaging diagnostics and treatment, a Clinical Trial Center which coordinates the design and conduct of clinical studies and the “Gemelli Science and Technology Park” (G-STeP), a network of 20 Research Core Facilities equipped with state-of-the art technologies to support all phases of scientific research projects.

Education

The FPG-IRCCS is an academic hospital closely collaborating with the Medical School of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, present on the same campus, which hosts MD degree students, Residency schools, Master and PhD programs.

Presentation of the Centre

The Institute has been studying skin cancers since 1926 and is involved in clinical and translational activity for the prevention and treatment of melanoma, nonmelanoma skin cancers and cutaneous lymphomas. It is attended by 25,000 patients annually, with about 500 new melanoma diagnoses per year.
The Dermato-Oncology Unit (DOU) focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and follow-up and the Plastic Surgery Unit (PRS) is in charge of demolitive and reconstructive surgical treatment of skin cancers.

Main Research Activities

DOU is regional referral center for rare diseases including familial/multiple melanoma and Gorlin Goltz syndrome. It has a focus on noninvasive diagnostic imaging for screening and follow-up of skin cancers as well as on medical treatment of advanced tumors. PRS is part of the European Reference Network, actively participating in the EURACAN project for the diagnosis, treatment and research of adult solid Rare Tumors G9, such as Merkel cell carcinoma, and contributing to drafting of guidelines. It is reference center for the surgical treatment of melanoma and sentinel lymph node and has recognized expertise in electrochemotherapy for selected cases of advanced skin tumors or cutaneous metastases. Both Units actively participate to weekly disease management team meetings for melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Core Facilities

Noninvasive diagnostic techniques such as dermatoscopy, confocal microscopy, and innovative instruments such as 3D whole body imaging.

Education

It is part of the training network of the Dermatology and Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Residency Program of the Sapienza University of Rome and contributes to the surgical and scientific training of residents.