In 2023 we managed 224 phase I, 25 basket, 158 phase II, and 124 phase III clinical trials, and 3 medical device trials with active recruitment at some time in the year (Figure I), with patient enrolment totaling at 1,195 (Figure II). 162 new trials were initiated, including 15 post-authorization trials and rollover studies. In addition, we continue to follow up patients who were recruited prior to 2023 and are still enrolled and receiving study treatment (940 patients in total, and 1,776 in follow- up) in Phase 0, I, II, III and medical device trials.

More than half of our patients included in our phase I clinical trials have been referred to us from other hospitals, which has consequently positioned our Unit as a leading reference in early clinical studies. Reflective of our recognized excellence, VHIO’s Research Unit for Molecular Therapy of Cancer (UITM) – CaixaResearch, directed by Elena Garralda, has been re-accredited by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia).

As we continue to render personalized medicine more precise by matching therapies to the specificities of each individual patient, the requirements and selection criteria for inclusion in certain studies are becoming more complex.

We are dedicated to expanding our portfolio of trials to ultimately establish new treatment regimens with highly selective drugs. Our Unit continues to fine-tune patient selection criteria to identify those patients who are most likely to benefit from novel therapies, including emerging immune-based treatments, tailored to individual patients’ molecular features.

In 2023 we managed 52 phase I, 4 basket, 25 phase II and 66 phase III clinical studies with active recruitment at some time in the year (Figure III), with patient enrollment totaling at 148 (Figure IV). 40 new trials were initiated, including 7 post-authorization trials and rollover studies. In addition, we continue to follow up patients who were recruited prior to 2023 and are still enrolled and receiving study treatment (160 patients in total, and 187 in follow-up) in Phase I, II and III trials.

Clinical research is hematology is spearhead by Francesc Bosch, Principal Investigator of VHIO’s Experimental Hematology Group.

The prestige of HUVH’s Medical Oncology Department is recognized by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. It has also become a reference program and selected by the industry to carry out complex clinical trials. The number of participating centers in these studies is highly restricted.

Clinical sites are selected based on the highest quality standards and capacity for carrying out state-of-the-art research. We have participated in early phase trials of different drugs, ultimately enabling the pharmaceutical industry to market novel anti-cancer medicines. We are involved in studies promoted by the pharmaceutical industry as well as those developed by us in collaboration with other hospitals. In 2023, we have also collaborated in about 16 investigator-Initiated trials (IITs) in oncology.

Cristian Campderros, Juan López, Alicia Nogueroles, Sara Vázquez