Medical Oncology at Centre Leon Berard

The clinical trial portfolio at this Lyon-based hospital is strongly centered on oncology, with a broad focus on solid tumors, hematologic malignancies, and biomarker-driven care. Studies commonly aim to test new cancer therapies, compare treatment effectiveness, and refine options for patients with advanced or hard-to-treat disease.

  • Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer are major areas of research, with trials exploring newer targeted and endocrine-based strategies.
  • Lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer, is a major priority for evaluating novel targeted and immune-based treatments.
  • Gastrointestinal cancers such as colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, and biliary tract cancer are studied to improve disease control and survival.
  • Sarcomas, melanoma, and other rare solid tumors are included in research focused on expanding options for cancers with limited standard treatments.
  • Leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma reflect a strong interest in developing better approaches for blood cancers.

Across the Centre Leon Berard research program, many studies use molecular features and tumor markers to help match patients with more personalized treatments, while others assess surgery, radiotherapy, and combination approaches in both adult and pediatric cancer care.

Precision Oncology and Biomarker-Driven Trials

This research area is focused on using molecular diagnostics and tumor characteristics to guide treatment selection across a wide range of cancers. The goal is to improve how doctors identify patients most likely to benefit from targeted or immune-based therapies.

  • Advanced solid tumors with specific alterations such as KRAS, EGFR, HER2, RET, FGFR, and ALK are studied for more individualized treatment strategies.
  • Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer are frequently included in biomarker-selected studies.
  • Non-small cell lung cancer is a key disease area for testing targeted therapies matched to genetic alterations.
  • Colorectal cancer, urothelial carcinoma, and gastroesophageal cancers are also part of this personalized medicine focus.

These studies often aim to improve treatment matching, support better response prediction, and expand options for patients whose cancers have specific molecular profiles.

Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Research

A large share of the trial activity at Centre Leon Berard involves breast cancer and gynecologic cancers, including ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and fallopian tube cancers. The studies are designed to improve disease control, reduce recurrence, and evaluate more effective treatment combinations.

  • Hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer are studied with a focus on better long-term management and relapse prevention.
  • HER2-positive breast cancer trials explore newer targeted approaches and treatment de-escalation in selected patients.
  • Ovarian cancer research includes advanced, recurrent, and platinum-resistant disease, with attention to improving outcomes after standard therapy.
  • Endometrial cancer and cervical cancer studies are evaluating new strategies for locally advanced, recurrent, and molecularly defined disease.
  • Triple-negative breast cancer is another important area, with trials seeking more active options for aggressive disease.

These investigations aim to bring more tailored and durable treatment choices to patients with complex female cancers.

Lung Cancer and Thoracic Oncology

The site conducts extensive research in lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Trials in this field are largely aimed at testing targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and combination regimens for both newly diagnosed and previously treated disease.

  • EGFR-mutated, ALK-positive, ROS1-positive, and RET-altered NSCLC are common biomarker-defined subgroups.
  • Metastatic NSCLC and locally advanced NSCLC are studied to improve survival and disease control after standard treatments.
  • Small cell lung cancer trials focus on more effective options for aggressive and fast-growing disease.
  • Thoracic oncology research also includes patients with advanced disease involving the chest and nearby structures.

The overall goal is to improve outcomes for lung cancer patients through more precise and active treatment approaches.

Hematology and Blood Cancer Studies

Research in hematologic malignancies is another major strength of the Medical Oncology department. Trials address both common and rare blood cancers, with the aim of improving remission rates, extending survival, and reducing relapse.

  • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and chronic myeloid leukemia are studied in efforts to improve frontline and relapsed disease care.
  • Lymphomas, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, are important research areas.
  • Multiple myeloma trials explore better disease control in newly diagnosed and relapsed settings.
  • Myeloproliferative neoplasms and related marrow disorders are also included in the site’s portfolio.

These studies are focused on evaluating new therapies and treatment combinations that may offer more durable benefit for patients with difficult-to-treat blood cancers.

Sarcoma, Rare Tumors, and Pediatric Oncology

The trial landscape also includes a strong commitment to sarcoma, rare cancers, and pediatric oncology. Research in this area seeks better options for uncommon tumors where treatment choices are often limited.

  • Soft tissue sarcoma, bone sarcoma, and specific subtypes such as osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma are commonly studied.
  • Rare CNS tumors, including glioblastoma, medulloblastoma, and diffuse midline glioma, are part of the pediatric and neuro-oncology portfolio.
  • Neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor reflect broader childhood cancer research.
  • Rare solid tumors and other difficult-to-treat cancers are studied to expand access to innovative therapies.

These trials are designed to test new treatment approaches and improve outcomes for patients with uncommon cancers across age groups.

Urologic, Gastrointestinal, and Other Solid Tumor Research

Many studies at Centre Leon Berard also cover a wide range of other solid tumors, including urothelial carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, and head and neck cancers. This broad activity reflects a strong interest in improving treatment effectiveness across advanced and recurrent disease.

  • Urothelial and kidney cancers are studied for better options after prior therapy or surgery.
  • Colorectal, gastric, esophageal, and pancreatic cancers are included in trials seeking improved disease control.
  • Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma are explored in both recurrent and locally advanced settings.
  • Melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and other advanced malignancies are also part of the portfolio.

Overall, these studies aim to test new therapies, refine combinations, and support more effective care for patients with advanced solid tumors.