Institut Sainte Catherine

At Institut Sainte Catherine in Avignon, clinical research in oncology focuses on improving care for a wide range of neoplasms, especially breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, and head and neck cancers. The trials explore new treatment options, combinations of systemic therapy and radiotherapy, and ways to better personalize care for patients with advanced or high-risk disease.

• Testing new targeted and immune-based treatments for breast, prostate, and lung cancers
• Evaluating treatment strategies to reduce recurrence and improve survival in early and advanced disease
• Studying combined approaches that link radiotherapy with systemic anticancer therapy
• Improving outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat digestive, head and neck, and urinary tract cancers

Much of the work at this hospital-based research site is centered on therapies that aim to extend survival, prevent relapse, and support more tailored treatment decisions for patients with complex cancers.

A major part of the trial portfolio at Institut Sainte Catherine is dedicated to breast cancer, including early breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer. Studies also cover HER2-positive, HER2-negative, and hormone receptor-positive disease, with the goal of refining treatment choices and lowering the risk of recurrence.

• Assessing new endocrine, targeted, and antibody-drug conjugate therapies for different breast cancer subtypes
• Evaluating treatments designed to reduce relapse after surgery or neoadjuvant therapy
• Exploring personalized approaches using circulating tumor DNA and other markers of residual disease
• Studying supportive strategies to improve quality of life during and after treatment

This research includes both early-stage and advanced settings, with a strong focus on finding more effective and individualized options for patients with breast cancer.

The site also conducts important studies in male urogenital diseases, especially prostate cancer and kidney cancer, along with selected research in bladder cancer. These trials are designed to improve disease control in both newly diagnosed and recurrent or metastatic settings.

• Testing hormone-based and targeted approaches for prostate adenocarcinoma
• Evaluating combinations with radiotherapy for localized or node-positive prostate disease
• Studying new options for metastatic renal cell carcinoma and high-risk bladder cancer
• Exploring ways to improve outcomes after relapse or surgery in urogenital cancers

The research aims to strengthen long-term control, delay progression, and support more precise treatment planning for patients with genitourinary cancers.

Clinical trials in digestive system diseases at the site cover colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, gastroesophageal cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and related tumors. The main purpose is to improve treatment effectiveness in both localized and metastatic disease.

• Evaluating new chemotherapy and immunotherapy combinations for advanced gastrointestinal cancers
• Studying targeted therapies for tumors with specific molecular features
• Testing strategies for patients with high-risk, recurrent, or treatment-resistant disease
• Assessing approaches that may improve survival and disease control in digestive tract cancers

This area reflects a broad effort to develop better options for difficult gastrointestinal malignancies, including colorectal and upper digestive tract cancers.

Research in respiratory tract diseases and head and neck cancers includes non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Trials are examining how to improve response rates, survival, and local disease control.

• Testing immunotherapy-based treatment strategies for advanced lung cancer
• Evaluating combined radiotherapy and systemic therapy for head and neck tumors
• Studying new targeted and antibody-based approaches in recurrent or metastatic disease
• Exploring local treatment added to standard care for patients with limited metastatic spread

These studies aim to expand treatment options for patients with aggressive thoracic and head and neck malignancies, where durable control remains a key challenge.

Beyond disease-specific oncology trials, the site also contributes to research in analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and equipment. This includes studies using biomarkers, digital health tools, and patient-reported outcomes to guide care and monitor treatment impact.

• Using molecular markers such as ctDNA to detect relapse earlier
• Evaluating digital monitoring to improve symptom management and treatment follow-up
• Studying quality-of-life tools to support patients during long-term cancer care
• Exploring personalized treatment selection based on tumor biology

At Institut Sainte Catherine, this work supports a more tailored and patient-centered approach to cancer treatment, combining innovation in diagnostics with practical tools for everyday care.