Projects / Strategies for the next years
The EORTC GU Group aims at strengthening the network of clinicians from many disciplines
including urologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists, enhancing the contribution of
pathologists, radiologists, epidemiologists, as well as basic scientists, to fully exploit the potential of a
multidisciplinary Group dedicated to uro-oncology. The Group’s objectives over the next two years
will be to expand its portfolio of clinical trials intended to change clinical practice. Key elements to
the success of the Group will be the integration of and close collaboration with basic scientists to
enhance communication and the ability to formulate the right questions to be tested in new clinical
studies.
Cancer survivorship
The EORTC QOL and the EORTC GU Group are pursuing a joint cross-cultural cancer survivorship
research project focusing on both testicular and prostate cancers. The study represents a first step
toward developing a large scale cancer survivorship research program within the EORTC. This
research program would be unique in the world, in that the international context with its ethnic
and cultural diversity in which the EORTC operates, facilitates the investigation of cross-cultural
differences in the health-related quality of life of cancer survivors. The aim of the study is to establish
appropriate and workable procedures for identifying and recruiting survivors from two EORTC GU
trials and to collect and analyze questionnaire data from the two survivorship samples in order to
generate psychometric data for questionnaires SF-36, the QLQ-C30 and the IOC.
Biobanking
Essential to carrying out translational research is the sharing of patients’ tissues, the presence of
adequate collection of tissues, and a full clinical dataset. In relation to already performed or ongoing
studies, tissue collections will be arranged in order to identify prognostic and predictive factors and
biomarkers with great clinical utility. Emphasis will be put on the prospective collection of malignant
and normal tissue from patients entering EORTC trials to investigate critical molecular pathways
associated with tumour progression and metastasis and assessment of molecular determinants of
treatment efficacy. Expression profiles will require validation in independent sets to identify subsets
of patients who may benefit from tailored treatment.
Attracting Young Oncologists / Scientists
A key to the success of the Group in the coming years will be the involvement of more young
investigators. The GU Group will actively pursue the identification of promising young oncologists,
give them the opportunity to present their ongoing research at the bi-annual meetings. Already, various
initiatives have been taken by younger member oncologists, e.g. with the support of the Group, a
translational research grant was obtained from the EORTC which will help to exploit the clinical
utility of MRI in prostate cancer patients (B. Tombal). Similarly, the role of surgery and radiotherapy
will be further explored by two other young members.
Brainstorming sessions
In order to indentify the key issues and develop new trials, open brainstorming meetings held by the
various Disease Committees and their subgroups are encouraged.
Visibility of the GU Group
Contributions to international meetings will be actively pursued. The long-standing contribution to the annual EAU Congress will be broadened and further international activities at various global meetings will be actively explored. Furthermore, the Group will invest in publicising the start of each new trial in the various countries to enhance awareness. Recent meetings have been well attended and new members have been attracted indicating the Group’s good spirit and great enthusiasm.