European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer


The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer is a unique pan-European non-profit clinical cancer research organisation established in 1962 operating as an international association under Belgium law. It develops, conducts, coordinates and stimulates high-quality translational and clinical trial research to improve the survival and quality of life of cancer patients. This is achieved through the development of new drugs and other innovative approaches, and the testing of more effective therapeutic strategies, using currently approved drugs, surgery and/or radiotherapy in clinical trials conducted under the auspices of a vast network of clinical cancer researchers supported by 220 staff members based in Brussels. EORTC has the expertise to conduct large and complex trials especially specific populations such as the older patient and rare tumours.

Mission, achievements, and network

EORTC's mission is to increase people's survival and quality of life by testing new therapeutic strategies based on existing drugs, surgery and radiotherapy. EORTC also helps develop new drugs and approaches in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry and in patients’ best interests.
EORTC achievements
In order to adapt to the changing landscape of clinical trial design, EORTC have developed a number of platforms, which will facilitate more cost effective and efficient trials and gather important information to provide better treatment and care to cancer patients and survivors. These platforms include SPECTA-molecular screening of patients, SUCARE- evaluating quality assurance in surgical oncology, E2-RADIATE- evaluating quality assurance in radiation oncology and the YOU protocol that will gather data on long term long-term medical, psychological and socio-economic outcomes of patients treated in clinical trials.
Its network
EORTC research network consists of over 5500 collaborators from all disciplines involved in cancer treatment and research in more than 930 institutions in 27 countries. Its research spans the entire spectrum from translational and preclinical research to large, prospective, multi-centre, phase III clinical trials that evaluate new cancer therapies and/or treatment strategies as well as patient quality of life. Currently, EORTC is conducting 167 studies, and thousands of patients participate in EORTC clinical trials. 25,000 patients continue to be followed on a yearly basis and the EORTC clinical study database now contains outcome data for over 190,000 cancer patients.
Alongside the EORTC scientific and clinical programme, the EORTC collaborates with a number of international organisations, including the US National Cancer Institute, National Cancer Institute Canada, and other countrywide groups. Also a number of academic societies such as European Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology, European Society of Surgical Oncology, European Society of Medical Oncology and European Society of Paediatric Oncology. In order to follow changing regulatory requirements, EORTC regularly converses with the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Evaluation Agency.

The EORTC in figures

The EORTC has designed new benchmark treatments, in particular for:
EORTC Charitable Trust
The EORTC Charitable Trust was created in 1976 to collect the necessary funds for EORTC to function with the cooperation of national cancer leagues involved in the fight against cancer. Albert II, Prince of Monaco is the Honorary President and Sir Christopher Mallaby chairs the Board of Directors of the EORTC Charitable Trust.
Transparent and diversified financing
EORTC research is supported by the EORTC Charitable Trust, the National Cancer Institute of the United States of America, Fonds Cancer, and the Belgian National Lottery. The European Commission provides support only for selected projects. Partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry have been set up within the framework of special studies approved by an independent peer review committee. Nevertheless, more than 70% of clinical studies led by EORTC focus on drugs that have already been commercialized or on combined strategies such as radiotherapy and surgery and consequently these studies require financial support from other sources. Additional contributions and sponsorship are vital to cover these scientific activities where the main goal is to effectively promote European cancer clinical research.

Main scientific events and methodology courses