1. health and fitness
2. disease
3. cancer

Newsletter
No 1 / 2015
March 30
Some memories of the founding years of SAKK
E
arly in the 1960s, when the
neighboring countries of
Switzerland started to recognize Medical Oncology, the start
in our country was rather tardy.
At first, there were certain isolated actions without prosecution. Then Georg Martz appeared
in Zurich, some of us named him
the “forefather” of Oncology. He
K. Brunner, G. Martz:
established a Medical Oncology
two of the SAKK founders
unit at the University Hospital
in Zurich. Among other things,
Georg knew of the importance of psychological support for patients
and therapists and collaborated in this field with Prof. Fritz Meerwein, a
German pioneer in psycho-oncology. These initial movements in Zurich
were followed by a fast development in Oncology and lead thereafter
to the foundation of SAKK – the unique and dynamic national network
of which we are celebrating its anniversary this year.
In Brief
50 years ago, visionary leaders in cancer medicine realized that advancement of patient management requires solid understanding of the
disease and biology, vigorous testing of novel treatments, and interdisciplinary collaboration and exchange beyond state boundaries. This
remains true today. With these thoughts I look forward to a continued
and fruitful development of SAKK and wish the group prosperity and
success!
Contents
Prof. Dr. Pierre Alberto
Former SAKK president 1975 to 1981
Voting members 2015
In 2014, a total of 707 patients were
accrued. SAKK publishes a list of the
voting members of each of its project
groups at the beginning of the year.
PAGE 2
Success story trial SAKK 41/06
Read more about the aim of the trial,
its results and the benefit for the scientific community.
PAGE 4
Support by ambassadors
SAKK is supported in its anniversary
year by ambassadors from the worlds
of sport, politics, culture and medicine.
PAGE 6
SAKK News
2-5
SAKK Anniversary
6-10
Trial News
10-17
Publications, Presentations
17
IBCSG19-21
ETOP22
Cancer League
23
Grants, Events, Education
24-28
Dates, Flag
29
Read more details on the founding years of SAKK on page 7 and join us at the "Active against Cancer Event"
on May 20 in Bern. A unique opportunity to enhance our visibility and raise the awareness for cancer treatment
and research. You will find a detailed program on page 7
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
2 March 30, 2015
SAKK Newsletter
SAKK NEWS
Board decisions
SAKK Voting Members 2015
At its board meeting on January 27, 2015, in Bern the
SAKK board accepted the following trials:
In 2014, a total of 707 patients were accrued which is less
than in 2013 with a total of 1006 patients. SAKK publishes
a list of the voting members of each of its project groups
at the beginning of the year. The centers become voting
members of the project groups based on the following
article in the project group regulations: Voting members
shall recruit at least three evaluable patients per year into
SAKK trials and/or trials from cooperative groups SAKK
collaborates with; provided that sufficient feasible trials
are open. Voting members that recruit less than three patients per year for two consecutive years may lose their
voting member status and may be downgraded to the
nonvoting membership.
SAKK 24/14 Anti-EGFR-ILs: clinical investigator
C. Rochlitz
A phase II study of anti-EGFR-ILs loaded with doxorubicin
in patients with advanced triple negative breast cancer.
The primary objective of the trial is to determine the efficacy of anti-EGFR immunoliposomes loaded with doxorubicin as first-line therapy in patients with advanced triple negative breast cancer. Anti-EGFR-immunoliposomes
are the first targeted nanocontainers to have shown responses in a phase I trial. Investigating the potential of
nanocontainer-mediated delivery of cytotoxic compounds
to triple negative breast cancer patients could serve as a
proof-of-principle trial for other similar approaches. Due
to its innovative technology this trial promises a high
visibility in the field of breast cancer research and thus
excellent chances of future funding and company-driven
development of the drug in case of a positive outcome.
SAKK 16/14: clinical investigator S. Rothschild
Perioperative anti-PD-L1 antibody (MEDI4736) in addition to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy in non-small
cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with mediastinal lymph
node metastases (stage IIIA, N2).
The addition of the anti-PD-L1 antibody MPDL3280A
to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy offers a novel
approach in the treatment of locally advanced NSCLC
stage IIIA (N2). Despite multimodal therapy the outcome
of patients with stage IIIA NSCLC is poor. The task is to
substantially decrease the number of patients who die in
spite of intensive multimodality treatment. The addition
of a novel treatment modality (immunotherapy) has the
potential to improve the outcome without adding additional substantial toxicity as MPDL3280A has been generally well tolerated. Encouraging results are available in
the palliative setting. Therefore, this trial allows patients
to benefit from a novel treatment approach.
New employment regulations
The employment regulations of the SAKK Coordinating
Center were revised and approved by the board. They will
enter into force on March 1, 2015.
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
The voting members for 2015 are as follows:
PG Breast Cancer, voting members: 28
(without EORTC 10085 PRO)
Avignon (NEW)
Kantonsspital St. Gallen
Bordeaux (NEW)
Kantonsspital Winterthur
Brustzentrum Thurgau
Lille (NEW)
CHCVS Sion
Nice (NEW)
CHUV Lausanne
Oncocare Engeried
Hirslanden Brustzentrum Rouen (NEW)
Hôpital Fribourgois
Saint-Cloud (NEW)
HUG Genève
Spital Thun Simmental
Inselspital Bern
Spitalzentrum Biel
IOSI Ticino
Thommon les Bains (NEW)
Kantonsspital Aarau
Universitätsspital Basel
Kantonsspital Chur
USZ Zürich
Kantonsspital Liestal (NEW) ZeTup St. Gallen
Kantonsspital Luzern
Kantonsspital Olten (NEW)
PG Gastrointestinal Cancer, voting
members: 17
Budapest Laszlo Hospital
CHUV Lausanne
Hôpital Claude Huriez Lille
HUG Genève
Inselspital Bern
IOSI Ticino
Kantonsspital Aarau
Kantonsspital Chur
Kantonsspital Luzern
Kantonsspital Olten
Kantonsspital St. Gallen
Kantonsspital Winterthur
Krankenhaus Linz
Krankenhaus Elisabethinen Linz
Spitalzentrum Biel
USZ Zürich
Zürich Triemli
March 30, 2015 3
SAKK Newsletter
SAKK NEWS
PG Leukemia, voting members: 8
CHUV Lausanne
HUG Genève
Inselspital Bern
IOSI Ticino
Awards and Promotions
Kantonsspital Aarau
Kantonsspital St. Gallen
Universitätsspital Basel
USZ Zürich
PG Lung Cancer, voting members: 10
CHUV Lausanne
Hôpital Fribourgeois
Inselspital Bern
IOSI Ticino (NEW)
Kantonsspital Chur
Kantonsspital Luzern
Kantonsspital St. Gallen
Kantonsspital Winterthur
Spital Thun Simmental
USZ Zürich
PG Lymphoma, voting members: 26
CHCVS Sion (NEW)
Kantonsspital Winterthur
CopenhagenOslo
Helsinki
Ospedale San Raffaele
IEO Milano
Spital Thun Simmental
Inselspital Bern
Stockholm Karolinska, Huddinge
IOSI Ticino
Stockholm Karolinska, Solna
Kantonsspital Aarau
Triemli Zürich (NEW)
Kantonsspital Baden
Tromso
Kantonsspital Chur
Umea
Kantonsspital Liestal
Universitätsspital Basel
Kantonsspital Luzern
Uppsala
Kantonsspital Olten
USZ Zürich
Kantonsspital St. Gallen Zürich Hirslandenklinik
F. Birkhäuser & C. Rentsch
The Pfizer Research Prize Foundation awarded the Pfizer
Research Prize to nine researchers from the regions of
Basel, Bern and Zurich for their outstanding scientific
work on February 5. Recipients of the prize included Cyrill Rentsch from the University Hospital Basel and with
Frédéric Birkhäuser from the University Hospital Bern for
their work on non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. The
publication is based on trial SAKK 06/98, which was carried out from 1998 to 2003 in the framework of the SAKK
network.
SAKK CC Staff News
Hans-Peter Röthlisberger joined the SAKK team as CFO/
Kantonsspital Chur
Kantonsspital St. Gallen
Head of Services. He replaces Robert Meyer as member
of the executive board. Hans-Peter holds a professional
bachelor in business administration HFW and has several
years of experience in different industry sectors. HansPeter has two children and lives in Rubigen.
PG Urogenital Tumors, voting members: 23
Luzia Steiner joined the SAKK team as clinical data as-
PG New Drugs, voting members: 4
IOSI Ticino
Kantonsspital Basel (NEW)
Basel Universitätsspital
Charité Berlin
CHCVS Sion
CHUV Lausanne
Düsseldorf Uniklinikum (NEW)
Fondazione oncologica (NEW)
Inselspital Bern
IOSI Ticino
Kantonsspital Aarau
Kantonsspital Chur
Kantonsspital Luzern
Kantonsspital Münsterlingen
Kantonsspital St. Gallen
Kantonsspital Winterthur
Spital Thun Simmental
Spitalzentrum Biel (NEW)
Triemli Zürich
Universitätsklinik Dresden
Universitätsklinik Rostock
Uniklinik Würzburg
Uniklinikum Tübingen
University of Ghent
Zürich Hirslandenklinik
sistant in March.
Sabine Rion, data manager, found a new challenge within
the coordinating center: she takes over the open position
as clinical project manager.
Farewell
Steffi Demmel has worked as clinical project manager for five
years. She will leave the SAKK CC end of April. We thank her for
her commitment and dedication to SAKK and we wish her all the
best for the future.
For information on job vacancies at SAKK, please contact us and/
or refer to http://sakk.ch/en/about-sakk/organization/jobs/
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
4 March 30, 2015
SAKK Newsletter
SAKK NEWS
Lung cancer symposium in Bern
Bronchial carcinoma remains the most common cause of death from cancer in the Western world. Each year, around 4000
people in Switzerland are diagnosed with the disease and about 3000 people die of it. On 12 March, experts from home and
abroad met in Bern at the 1st Swiss Lung Cancer Symposium.
The last few years have seen crucial advances in the treatment of non-small-cell bronchial carcinoma, which accounts for 85 % of lung tumors. This is especially true for
the approximately 15 percent of all patients with specific molecular lesions that can be treated with oral tyrosine kinase
inhibitors. The discovery of ever more new potential “driver alterations” in some cases with a low incidence of less than 3
% presents an increasing challenge for clinicians and for collaborative research groups. Improvements in therapeutic results
have also been achieved in classical treatment with chemotherapy and with anti-VEGFR and anti-EGFR antibodies, albeit to
a lesser extent. A very rapid and interesting development can be observed at present in the field of molecular diagnostics
and also in immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, which are expected to find their way into clinical use very
soon. All these important issues were presented and discussed by experts at the 1st Swiss Lung Cancer Symposium in Bern
on 12 March.
A success story
Trial SAKK 41/06: Bevacizumab maintenance versus no maintenance after stop of first-line chemotherapy in patients with
metastatic colorectal cancer. A randomized multicenter phase III non-inferiority trial.
Trial chair PD Dr. Dieter Köberle is Head of the Department of Internal Medicine and Head of the Cancer Center in the St.
Claraspital in Basel. Köberle studied in Austria and specialized in Internal Medicine and Oncology. He is member of the
project group gastrointestinal cancers. In the following interview, he explains why research in cooperative groups like ours
is crucial and can help not only patients but also help cost saving.
What was the aim of the SAKK 41/06 trial?
Why were you interested in developing the trial?
The scientific question concerning this trial was based on a dilemma in clinical routine care: it was unclear, whether we
should continue or not bevacizumab treatment after stopping chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer patients. Discontinuation of bevacizumab was considered a yet unproven treatment strategy, as in the pivotal
trials of bevacizumab, the full treatment (including chemotherapy) was continued until disease progression or intractable
toxicity. As a result, many trials with uninterrupted polychemotherapy became increasingly obsolete. At the time we discussed this question within SAKK, many Swiss oncologists stopped chemotherapy after 4-6 months, but continued bevacizumab, as it was assumed that bevacizumab monotherapy might be sufficient to prolong disease control achieved with
combination therapy. We were interested to investigate the non-inferiority question between bevacizumab continuation
versus discontinuation within a phase III trial.
How was the trial funded?
Roche, the manufacturer of bevacizumab, was not interested to support SAKK with this trial. It was calculated that the drug
costs for bevacizumab continuation alone would be above 4 Mio. Swiss Francs in a trial of approximately 140 patients per
arm. SAKK, as an independent national network for clinical cancer research, was not able to conduct
this trial without a partner. Next, we contacted the Swiss health insurances. From the very beginning
they were interested and provided substantial funding for this trial.
What were the results?
Between October 2007 and May 2012, 265 patients were included at 26 sites in Switzerland and 262
were randomly assigned in equal numbers to bevacizumab continuation or no bevacizumab continua-
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
SAKK Newsletter
March 30, 2015 5
SAKK NEWS
tion. The time to progression (TTP; the primary endpoint) was longer in the bevacizumab continuation group (4.1 versus 2.9
months). Non-inferiority could not be demonstrated. The difference in median TTP was however shorter than the 6-weeks
boundary, which we assumed to indicate clinical equipotency between bevacizumab continuation and treatment holidays.
Based on no impact on overall survival and increased treatment costs, we concluded that bevacizuamb as a single agent is
of no meaningful therapeutic value. The full paper, including all additional results, was recently published in the Annals of
Oncology.
What are the benefits for the
scientific community, the patients?
The benefits for the patients and
for the community are very clear:
saving the patients from a noneffective treatment including the
inconvenience of a 3-weekly infusional therapy, some minor toxicities and finally reducing treatment
costs of approximately 25’000 to
30’000 Swiss Francs per patient.
SAKK gained reputation in the scientific community for this trial.
Why was the trial difficult to communicate, heavily polarizing and difficult to get published?
Reducing therapies for an incurable disease like metastatic colorectal cancer requires sufficient evidence that the patient
does not loose a relevant part of a limited lifetime. Scientific advances move in two directions: first and most important – all
of us are eager to develop new therapies, which aim to prolong survival time with an incurable disease. On the other hand,
we need to validate treatments in the setting of routine care, especially if the registration trials are too selective, or if new
findings erode current treatment standards. All these considerations should include the patient´s demand for the best possible balance between treatment burden and recovery time.
Obviously, not everybody is interested in a de-escalation trial. In general, this type of trial is less awarding, includes potential
of ambiguity and is more difficult to get published. Larger sample sizes are usually needed to demonstrate equivalence or
non-inferiority than superiority. For this reason, a lot of non-inferiority trials are rather underpowered and therefore not able
to define a new standard of care. The clinicians view can be divergent in determining whether the degree of non-inferiority
demonstrated is clinically acceptable and whether the ancillary effects of the treatment justify or discredit its use.
General acceptability of our main findings increased when the results of two other trials conducted in Germany and France
were presented at major meetings. Both trials confirm our results. Likewise other trials, investigating combined maintenance
strategies, opened doors for more efficient treatment options. Today’s preference is to continue with fluoropyrimidines alone
or in combination with bevacizumab, or to offer treatment holidays.
How many people were involved in the trial, for how many years?
Many dedicated people were involved in this trial, which was conducted in multiple sites in Switzerland. Beside from hospitals, private oncologists also recruited patients. SAKK did a tremendous job in the coordination and support of all phases
of the trial, between trial conception, which started in 2006 and publication in early 2015. We wish to express our sincere
gratitude to all contributors of this trial, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for financial
support and santésuisse (Swiss Association of Health Insurance Companies) for making this trial possible.
PD Dr. Dieter Köberle, Claraspital Basel
Dieter.Koeberle@claraspital.ch
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
6 March 30, 2015
SAKK Newsletter
SAKK ANNIVERSARY
Support by ambassadors
In its research on cancer, SAKK is supported in its jubilee year by ambassadors from the worlds of sport, politics, culture and
medicine. One of these ambassadors is skiing legend Bernhard Russi: “Cancer can hit anyone. I support SAKK because it
makes an important contribution to cancer research with its work”. Star chef Ivo Adam is also only too aware that, while
a healthy diet can help in the prevention of cancer, it unfortunately does not offer a cure. “This is why I support the SAKK,
because it tries to improve treatments and gain new insights through clinical studies.” And National Councillor Ruedi Lustenberger underlines why clinical research with and for patients is important: “Science and research must meet the challenge to come up with knowledge for practical use. Clinical cancer research does precisely this and helps future patients to
benefit from new findings.” Some of the ambassadors include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ursula Abgottspon, Partner of This Jenny († 15.11.2014)
Ivo Adam, star chef and managing director
Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Cerny, President of Swiss Cancer Research (KFS)
GUSTAV, singer
Wendy Holdener, downhill skier
Laszlo I. Kish, actor, director and communication trainer
Ruedi Lustenberger, National Councilor, President of the National Council in 2014
Gabriela Manetsch, head of research team Cantonal Hospital Graubünden
Bernhard Russi, Skiing legend
Ted Scapa, cartoonist
Mathias Seger, ice hockey player ZSC Lions and captain of the national ice hockey team
I. Adam
All ambassadors and further information on the jubilee year can be found at http://sakk.ch/en/50-years/
If you wish to plan a local event at your center, contact Sonja Bill, sonja.bill@sakk.ch
Active Against Cancer Event
Visit us at the “Active Against Cancer” event at the Bundesplatz in Bern on May 20, 2015. In the SAKK information tent
you will be guided through the map “cancer research” to get to know how clinical research works. There are children and
fitness activities in the afternoon as well as concerts in the evening.
Program
15.00
15.00 – 15.30
16.00 – 17.00
17.00 – 17.45
17.45 – 18.15
18.15 – 19.00
19.30 – 20.30
21.00 – 22.00
Opening of SAKK Village
SAKK information tent, fitness activities, food & beverage
fairy story teller Prisca Saxer (open for everyone)
drawing with Ted Scapa (registration necessary)
concert for children with the band Leierchischte
sport activity part 1
concert with Luca Hänni
concert with BAUM
concert with GUSTAV
Please refer to our website for further information. We are looking forward to welcoming you in Bern!
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
SAKK Newsletter
March 30, 2015 7
SAKK ANNIVERSARY
Memories of the founding years
50 years ago, a group of young oncologists founded the Swiss Chemotherapy Group, the forerunner of today’s SAKK. It
started with the establishment of a first Medical Oncology unit at the University Hospital in Zurich by Georg Martz.
Georg Martz had important fellow campaigners. The first was Kurt Brunner. Brunner was a collaborator of Georg Martz in
Zurich, who had met three of the American pioneers of Medical Oncology in New York and Buffalo: Dave Karnofsky, Jo Burchenal and Jim Holland. Among them, he received a rigorous training, particularly the mastering of prospective multicenter
clinical trials which were, after his return to Bern, the basis of the newly founded SAKK. In the academic medical setting, the
research of Martz and Brunner was well appreciated.
However, support was needed also from politics to boost the group’s activities. There, two additional characters played an
important role: federal counselor Alfred Schaller and founder of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) Alexander von
Muralt. Schaller presented a motion to the National Council in which he demanded the establishment of a national tumor
center. The pertinence of the cause was generally accepted but the proposed solution was judged as incompatible with the
cantonal structures in Switzerland.
The motion had therefore no direct effect but the urgency
of the subject was addressed and recognized. Support
came from Prof. Alexander von Muralt he suggested a collaboration between five University Hospitals and research
in the laboratory. His initiative had a large political support
as it was financially feasible and it permitted the involvement of the Swiss Cancer League. This was the birth of a
first laboratory group under Silvio Barandun and a chemotherapeutic group lead by Kurt Brunner.
The first meetings took place in the Tiefenauhospital in
Bern where Brunner had his office. The first proposition
for a clinical trial was a multiple myeloma trial. It allowed First page of the "motion Schaller", 1969
a large collection of blood samples for Barandun’s laboratory. The number of participants increased rapidly and also young collaborators from the five member hospitals were regularly present. These meetings were very animated and everyone participated with great enthusiasm. Even with these modest
structures, the group acquired international recognition as it was one of the few European members of the American Acute
Leukemia Group B besides Nis Nissen in Copenhagen and Jean Bernard in Paris.
The name “SAKK” appeared 1971 in a meeting regarding a regular budget of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) for
the ISREC (Institut Suisse de Recherche Expérimentale sur le Cancer) which
initiated a discussion of the need of finances for the clinical research. Brunner tried to obtain financial support but with a decentralized group without
defined structures he did not succeed. However, the FOPH would grant a
First SAKK logo
yearly allowance if the name of the group included the word “national”.
That is when Brunner came up with the name “Swiss Group for Clinical
Cancer Research SAKK”. The short form “SAKK” was quickly adopted in French and English.
In the development of SAKK, I distinguish between two eras. The first, which I call “prehistoric”, includes the founding years
under the presidency of Kurt Brunner and my presidency from 1975 to 1981. The group had no constant office but resided
where its president worked and the administrative support was very limited. Brunner had laid the corner stone of the group
but there was still a long way to go. SAKK found its first permanent home on the Rue Carouge in Geneva.
I managed the group with an assistant, Anne-Lis Clerc, and a statistician, Bernadette Mermillod. My presidency was the end
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8 March 30, 2015
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of this early phase and the group transformed into a real comprehensive group with the establishment of the pediatric, surgical, gynecological, pathological, psycho-oncological and ear- nose and
throat sections. This change assigned a more active role to the colleagues of other oncological
disciplines than being a simple deliverer of services in the framework of medical oncology. But
also the appearance of trials with adjuvant treatments, which required the participation of surgeons and gynecologists, forged the group together. This evolution was similar to other groups in
Europe and collaboration with the EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of
Cancer) increased the activity within Europe.
At the end of the 1970s, the group had grown considerably. The pioneering
years came to an end and the group needed a central office and additional
supportive staff to process the workload. With the presidency of Franco Cavalli, the group maintained
its first firm seat in Bern and the historic era of SAKK began.
P. Alberto
Prof. Dr. Pierre Alberto, former SAKK President
F. Cavalli
Two neighbours united in their success to battle against cancer
In the year 2015, there are two great jubilees to celebrate: the 30 year anniversary of the ABCSG and the impressive
50-year anniversary of SAKK. Upon this special occasion, I take the liberty to both personally as well as on behalf of the
Austrian Breast & Colorectal Cancer Study Group congratulate our Swiss colleagues to their 50th anniversary!
Interdisciplinary study groups have had a long tradition both in Austria and Switzerland. The ABCSG has been actively
conducting clinical trials for 30 years now, focussing on the subject of breast and colorectal cancer, and more recently also
on pancreatic cancer and liver metastasis. Our colleagues at SAKK, the broad national clinical cancer research network in
Switzerland, exhibit an even longer track record of 50 years. Both study groups are leading national cancer research societies and can for sure be considered as „big players“ in the international cancer research and clinical trials community.
Cancer research continues to be a dynamic field defined by an ongoing transforming and progressive environment. The
staggering increase in molecular and pharmacological knowledge continues to drive both the ABCSG and SAKK to tirelessly
adapt and develop in order to meet the high demands set by patients and physicians. New promising cancer drugs and assessment methods, such as molecular screening and testing, provided enormous opportunities, but traps at the same time.
This background as well as a challenging regulatory and funding environment requests innovative and specific coping and
development strategies of study groups.
The improvements in biotechnology and hopefully subsequently in clinical cancer medicine harbour opportunities for major
progress in standard cancer treatment and patient outcome. As indicated, these chances also create major challenges for
national study groups, particularly in smaller countries: Nowadays, it is not any longer possible/meaningful to conduct clinical trials on a sufficient scale within narrow (country) limits. This evolving challenge arises from the increasing biometric
complexity of modern study designs. Within shrinking patient subgroups defined by new biomarkers it has become more
difficult for small countries to gather enough patients for randomization on their own in order to obtain a valid result.
This is why the vast majority of clinical research is and increasingly will be conducted via cooperation on national but even
more important on the international level. ABCSG and SAKK have wisely recognised already at an early stage that a broad
view of research is absolutely essential – especially when considering that cancer treatment requires a combination of therapies relying on a multi-disciplinary approach. Therefore both ABCSG and SAKK participate and conduct several international
clinical research projects, giving their patients the opportunity to receive state-of-the-art therapies and drugs: treatments
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March 30, 2015 9
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SAKK ANNIVERSARY
that may eventually become the gold standard in cancer
treatment.
ABCSG: 30 years and more than 25.000 patients
Since 1984, ABCSG has conducted numerous clinical trials, with a special focus on breast cancer. After a while,
ABCSG decided to broaden its portfolio, leading to the
decision on commencing trials aiming to further explore
colorectal cancer,
liver metastasis,
and - since autumn
2013 - also pancreatic cancer. ABCSG
is Austria’s biggest
and
best-established academic
research organisation that has over
time and dedication achieved a
very high public
reputation. Also patient commitment is key to ABCSG's
success, and high compared to international standards:
In some indications, more than 35 % of all patients with
a given diagnosis are recruited into ABCSG trials: Overall,
more than 25.000 patients have been recruited in ABCSG’s trials during the last 30 years, and over 900 physicians are part of the extensive ABCSG’s network.
At ABCSG we are proud that our efforts in research and
international networking over the last decades have been
this successful – in the global breast cancer world, Austria
can today be considered much larger than it actually is
geographically. This is also reflected by many international cancer conferences such as EBCC, ESMO, ECCO coming
to Vienna, including in 2015 the important "St. Gallen
Breast Cancer Conference", which we are proud to host
in Vienna for the first time. We sincerely hope that most
of our Swiss friends meanwhile view this as a neighbour's
bonding exercise.
This success shows that ABCSG manages to present Austria as a research-friendly country (which it not always is
in terms of politics!) with several internationally well-respected experts in breast cancer research and treatment.
With some individual trials, ABCSG especially received international recognition and reputation within the global
breast cancer „scene“, e.g. with trials ABCSG 5, ABCSG
8, and ABCSG 12, which lead to discussions and amend-
ments in the global standards of breast cancer
treatment. ABCSG 18 and ABCSG 34 are forthcoming and yield similar potential.
SAKK: Know-how and success for 50 years
SAKK looks back on an even more impressive track
record of achievements. Since 2010, Prof. Dr. Beat
Thürlimann is SAKK’s acting president, with currently 19 members, 70 employees and 40 research sites.
SAKK is involved in the national cancer program in
Switzerland and works closely with the most important partners there, such as cancer research Switzerland, the cancer liga, Swiss paediatric oncology
group (SPOG) and the national institute for cancer
epidemiology and registry (NICER). Collaboration
across multiple disciplines is an integral part of
modern cancer treatment. At SAKK, physicians work
together across a wide range of disciplines. Markedly better than in Austria, Swiss national authorities
are recognizing and supporting SAKK's activities.
This hand-in-hand cooperation ensures that diagnostic and therapeutic issues are addressed and
resolved through clinical trials of the very highest
quality. SAKK contains of seven interdisciplinary
project groups (breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, urogenital
tumours and new anticancer drugs), which – similar
to ABCSG’s task forces – are responsible for inputs,
such as proposals for new research projects and innovative study designs. The central body at SAKK
acts as unifying service center for all project groups,
and fends off some of the regulatory and formalistic
challenges scientists today face during the realization of a clinical research idea.
Together across the borders
It is evident that plenty of resemblances between
ABCSG and SAKK exist. The obvious potential for
exploiting existing synergies could (and has started to!) inspire closer cooperation. The first step
towards this trans-border approximation was to
nominate ABCSG’s president Michael Gnant as international advisor for the SAKK Breast Group. Collaborating in organizing and evolving SG-BCC - as
envisioned by Hans-Jörg Senn - could also be a next
step. Furthermore, deliberations concerning common specific research projects in breast cancer have
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10 March 30, 2015
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already started, recently at the Senology Congress in Lugano last September:
The first project ABCSG and SAKK could phase out together may be a registry study about immediate reconstruction of the breast in both countries. Other projects continue to remain in
the pipeline, such as a study in breast cancer in elderly patients with focus on adequate locoregional therapy. Also, SAKK’s trial SAKK 96/12 is considered to be expanded into Austria - this
project evaluates the prevention of symptomatic skeletal events with the antibody denosumab
administered every four weeks versus every twelve weeks.
Of course, international cooperations are not particularly easy to manage. The two groups will
have to continue talking extensively about all the details including funding and regulatory affairs – but we can be confident that SAKK and ABCSG are capable to overcome all obstacles
with commitment and dedication to create a new "alpine" path for cancer research.
M. Gnant
In the meantime, the ABCSG expresses its gratitude towards SAKK and wholeheartedly congratulates our partner to their 50
years of success and outstanding achievements! We are looking forward towards intensifying our trans-border cooperation,
and towards improving the treatment of cancer for our patients: All the best, and ad multos annos!
TRIAL NEWS
Trials to be activated 2015, effective March 2015
Trial
Trial Name
SAKK 06/14
A phase I/II open label clinical trial assessing safety and efficacy of intravesical instillation Q2 2015
of the recombinant BCG VPM1002 in patients with recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder
cancer after standard BCG therapy
SAKK 33/14
Effects of sympathicomimetic agonists on the disease course and mutant allele burden in Q2 2015
patients with Jak2-mutatated myeloproliferative neoplasms
Alliance/
Prospect trial
A phase II/III trial of neoadjuvant folfox, with selective use of combined modality chemora- Q2 2015*
diation vs. preoperative combined modality chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer patients undergoing low anterior resection with total mesorectal excision
BIG 6-13
A randomised, double‐blind, parallel group, placebocontrolled multi‐centre Phase III study to Q2 2015*
assess the efficacy and safety of olaparib vs placebo as adjuvant treatment in patients with
high risk germline BRCA mutated HER2‐negative breast cancer who have completed definitive local and systemic neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatment
HOVON 132
SAKK 30/13
Randomized study with a run-in dose-selection phase to assess the added value of lenalido- Q2 2015*
mide in combination with standard remission-induction chemotherapy and post-remission
treatment in patients aged 18-65 years with previously untreated acute myeloid leukemia
(AML) or high risk myelodysplasia (MDS) (according to IPSS-R risk score > 4.5)
LungArt
(IFCT-EORTC)
Phase III study comparing post-operative conformal radiotherapy to no post-operative ra- Q2 2015*
diotherapy in patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer and mediastinal
N2 Involvement
*Dependent on the cooperative group, just an estimated opening for accrual
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
Opening of
the first site
March 30, 2015 11
SAKK Newsletter
TRIAL NEWS
Trials to be activated 2015, effective March 2015
SAKK 36/13
Combination of Ibrutinib and Bortezomib to treat mantle cell lymphomas patients – a mul- Q2-3 2015
ticenter phase I/II trial
MCL young/
TRIANGLE
Efficacy of Ibrutinib during R-CHOP/R-DHAP induction and after or in comparison to au- Q2-3 2015
tologous stem cell trasnaplantation (ASCT) in previously untreated patients with mantle cell
lymphoma
SAKK 25/14
Eribulin 1st line in elderly (≥ 70years) and old patients (> 80y) with metastatic breast cancer: Q3 2015
a phase II trial
GRAALL-2014
Treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), evaluating the addition of a second Q3 2015*
late intensification course in B-lineage PH-negative ALL, the addition of Nelarabine in highrisk T-lineage ALL, and the reduction of chemotherapy intensity in Ph+ ALL
HOVON 103 SEL
SAKK 30/10
A randomized phase II multicenter study with a safety run-in to assess the tolerability and Q3 2015
efficacy of the addition of oral selinexor (KPT-330) to standard induction therapy in AML high
risk myelodysplasia (MDS) (IPSS-R risk score >4.5) in patients aged ≥ 66 years
IELSG-43
High-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant consolidating conventional Q3 2015*
chemotherapy in primary CNS lymphoma -randomized phase III trial
IELSG-42
An international phase II trial assessing tolerability and efficacy of sequential Methotrexate- Q3 2015*
Aracytin-based combination and R-ICE combination followed by high-dose chemotherapy
supported by autologous stem cell transplant in patients with systemic DLBCL with CNS
involvement at diagnosis or relapse (MARIETTA regimen)
SAKK 35/14
Extended Rituximab with or without Ibrutinib. A randomized blinded Phase II trial
SAKK 08/14
IMPROVE
Enzalutamide in combination with metformin vs. enzalutamide in patients with CRPC pro- Q3-4 2015
gressing on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)
SAKK 16/14
Perioperative anti-PD-L1 antibody MEDI4736 in addition to standard neoadjuvant chemo- Q4 2015
therapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with mediastinal lymph node metastases (stage IIIA, N2)
SAKK 41/13
Adjuvant aspirin treatment in PIK3CA mutated colon cancer patients. A randomized, double- Q4 2015
blinded, placebo-controlled, phase III trial.
SAKK 41/14
Active-2
Physical activity program in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who receive palliative Q4 2015
first-line chemotherapy. A multicenter open label randomized controlled phase III trial
SAKK 21/12
(Phase II part)
A Phase I and stratified, multicenter Phase II trial of transdermal CR1447 (4-OH-tes­tosterone) Q1 2016
in endocrine responsive-HER2 negative and triple negative-androgen receptor positive metastatic or locally ad­vanced breast cancer
Q3-4 2015
*Dependent on the cooperative group, just an estimated opening for accrual
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
12 March 30, 2015
SAKK Newsletter
TRIAL NEWS
Trials Open for Accrual March 2015
Disease
Group
Trial Name
Trial Description
Urogenital
Cancers
SAKK 01/10
Urogenital
Cancers
Accrual
Target
Current Estimated
Accrual* Closure for
Accrual
Trial Coordinator
Involved Node Radiotherapy and Car- 115
boplatin Chemotherapy in Stage IIA/B
Seminoma
33
stavros.milatos@
sakk.ch
SAKK 63/12
Prospective cohort study with collection 1930
of clinical data and serum of patients
with prostate disease
75
Urogenital
& Breast
Cancers
SAKK 96/12
Prevention of Symptomatic Skeletal 1380
Events with Denosumab Administered
every 4 Weeks versus every 12 Weeks – A
Non-Inferiority Phase III Trial
75
Q1 2019
lukas.stalder@sakk.
ch
Urogenital
Cancers
STAMPEDE** Systemic Therapy in Advancing or Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Evaluation of Drug
Efficacy A 5-stage multi-arm randomised
controlled trial
46
31.12.2016
estelle.cassoly
@sakk.ch
Lung
Cancers
SAKK 15/12
Early prophylactic cranial irradiation with 42
hippocampal avoidance in patients with
limited disease small-cell lung cancer. A
multicenter phase II trial
5
11.05.2016
andrea.fuhrer@sakk.
ch
Lung
Cancers
SAKK 16/08
Preoperative chemotherapy and radio- 69
therapy with concomitant Cetuximab
in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
patients with IIIB disease. A multicenter
phase II trial
56
30.12.2015
heike.kenner
@sakk.ch
Lung
Cancers
SPLENDOUR
A randomised, open-label phase III trial 1000
evaluating the addition of denosumab to
standard first-line anticancer treatment in
advanced NSCLC
4
30.03.2018
SPLENDOUR@etopeu.org
Breast
Cancers
SAKK 22/10
A randomized phase II trial of pertu- 208
zumab in combination with trastuzumab
with or without chemotherapy, both followed by T-DM1 in case of progression,
in patients with HER2-positive metastatic
breast cancer
125
30.11.2015
marie-aline.
gerard@sakk.ch
Breast
Cancers
SAKK 23/13
Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate 140
the Impact of a Surgical Sealing Patch on
Lymphatic Drainage after Axillary Lymph
Node Dissection for Breast Cancer
0
Q1 2017
estelle.cassoly@
sakk.ch
Breast
Cancers
EORTC 10085 EORTC 10085 prospective part, Clinical and bioPRO
logical characterization of Male Breast Cancer: an
international EORTC, BIG and NABCG intergroup
study
13
30.06.2016
estelle.cassoly@
sakk.ch
15.06.2017
vincent.bize@sakk.
ch
Updated
**Trial is temporary closed for accrual
*Current accrual as of end of February, 2015. Accrual for non-SAKK trials only includes patients enrolled at SAKK centers.
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
March 30, 2015 13
SAKK Newsletter
TRIAL NEWS
Trials Open for Accrual March 2015
Disease
Group
Trial Name
Trial Description
Accrual
Target
Current Estimated
Accrual* Closure for
Accrual
Trial Coordinator
Breast
Cancers
IBCSG 42-12
SNAP
A randomized phase II study evaluating 258
different schedules of nab-Paclitaxel in
metastatic breast cancer
68
Q2 2015
ibcsg42_SNAP
@fstrf.org
Breast
Cancers
IBCSG 43-09
HOHO
Prospective observational study of young 300
women (£ 40 years at diagnosis) with
breast cancer. Data analyzed will include
serial patient surveys and medical record
information
67
Q4 2015
Monica.Ruggeri
@ibcsg.org
Breast
Cancers
IBCSG 48-14/ A study evaluating the pregnancy out- 500
BIG 8-13
comes and safety of interrupting endocrine therapy for young women with
endocrine responsive breast cancer who
desire pregnancy
1
Leukemias
APL 2006
Randomized phase III trial assessing 800
the role of arsenic trioxide and/or ATRA
during consolidation course in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia
(APL)
63
15.05.2016
fatma.karabulut
@sakk.ch
Leukemias
CML V
Treatment optimization of newly diag- 628
nosed Ph/BCR-ABL positive patients with
chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase with nilotinib vs. nilotinib plus
interferon alpha induction and nilotinib
or interferon alpha maintenance therapy
8
23.08.2015
anna.tomaszewska@
sakk.ch
Leukemias
EBMT HCT
vs CT
Compare conventinal chemotherapy to 231
low dose total body irradiation-based
conditioning and hematopoietic cell
transplantation as consolidation therapy
7
31.12.2015
fatma.karabulut
@sakk.ch
Leukemias
HOVON 103TOS
A randomized phase II multicenter study 200
with a safety run-in to assess the tolerability and efficacy of the addition of oral
tosedostat to standard induction chemotherapy in AML and high risk myelodysplasia (MDS) (IPSS-R > 4.5) in patients
aged ≥ 66
0
15.10.2015
andrea.fuhrer@sakk.
ch
Lymphomas
SAKK 39/10
Nelfinavir and lenalidomide/dexametha- 35
sone in patients with progressive multiple
myeloma that have failed lenalidomidecontaining therapy. A single arm phase I/
II trial
13
31.03.2016
michael.beyeler
@sakk.ch
Monica.Ruggeri
@ibcsg.org
Updated
*Current accrual as of end of February, 2015. Accrual for non-SAKK trials only includes patients enrolled at SAKK centers.
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
14 March 30, 2015
SAKK Newsletter
TRIAL NEWS
Trials Open for Accrual March 2015
Disease
Group
Trial Name
Trial Description
Lymphomas
SAKK 39/13
Lymphomas
Accrual
Target
Current Estimated
Accrual* Closure for
Accrual
Trial Coordinator
Nelfinavir and lenalidomide/dexametha- 34
sone in patients with progressive multiple
myeloma that have failed lenalidomidecontaining therapy. A single arm phase I/
II trial
4
31.08.2016
catherine.berset@
sakk.ch
HD 16
HD16 for early stages: Treatment optimization trial in the first-line treatment of
early stage Hodgkin lymphoma; treatment stratification by means of FDG-PET
55
30.09.2015
katrin.eckhardt
@sakk.ch
Lymphomas
HD 17
Therapieoptimierungsstudie in der Primär- 1100
therapie des intermediären Hodgkin Lymphoms: Therapiestratifizierung mittels
FDG-PET
42
01.12.2016
katrin.eckhardt
@sakk.ch
Lymphomas
REMoDL-B
A randomised evaluation of Molecular 940
guided therapy for Diffuse Large B-Cell
Lymphoma with Bortezomib (phase III)
74
30.04.2015
regula.lustenberger@sakk.ch
Lymphomas
IELSG-37
A randomized, open-label, multicentre, 376
two-arm phase III comparative study assessing the role of involved mediastinal
radiotherapy after Rituximab containing
chemotherapy regimens to patients with
newly diagnosed Primary Mediastinal
Large B-Cell Lymphoma (PMLBCL)
6
31.12.2016
simona.berardi
@sakk.ch
Lymphomas
T-cell project
Das T-Cell project ist eine Registrierstudie
mit Referenzpathologie um Daten zu
seltenen malignen Erkrankungen der TZell Linie zu gewinnen
32
31.12.2016
simona.berardi
@sakk.ch
New Drugs
SAKK 65/12
Phase I study of LDE225 in combination 22
with Paclitaxel in patients with advanced
solid tumors
18
15.12.2015
milica.enoiu
@sakk.ch
New Drugs
SAKK 66/12
A Phase I, open-label, multi-center, dose
escalation study of oral CGM097, a p53/
HDM2-interaction inhibitor, in adult patients
with se-lected advanced solid tumors characterized by wild-type TP53
2
30.06.2016
simona.berardi
@sakk.ch
New Drugs
SAKK 66/13
INC280 Combination with BKM120 for 58
glioblastoma patients, Phase I/II trial
1
31.05.2015
simona.berardi
@sakk.ch
New Drugs
SAKK 69/13
Phase IB of oral BGJ398 (pan FGFR inhibitor)
and oral BYL719 (a specific PI3K inhibitor)
in adult patients with selected solid tumors
0
30.04.2016
simona.berardi
@sakk.ch
Updated
*Current accrual as of end of February 2015. Accrual for non-SAKK trials only includes patients enrolled at SAKK centers.
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
March 30, 2015 15
SAKK Newsletter
TRIAL NEWS
Trials Open for Accrual March 2015
Disease
Group
Trial Name
Trial Description
Gynaecological
Cancers
Mito/
Mango 16b
Gynaecological
Cancers
INOVATYON
Accrual
Target
Current Estimated
Accrual* Closure for
Accrual
Trial Coordinator
A multicenter phase III randomized study 400
with second line chemotherapy plus or minus bevacizumab in patients with platinum
sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer recurrence
after a bevacizumab/chemotherapy first line
5
31.12.2015
heidi.baumgartner@
sakk.ch
Phase III international, randomized study of tra- 588
bectedin plus Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin
(PLD) versus Carboplatin plus PLD in patients
with ovarian cancer progressing within 6-12
months of last platinum
12
30.06.2017
anna.tomaszewska@
sakk.ch
Activated trials
SPLENDOUR
A randomised, open-label phase III trial evaluating the addition of denosumab to standard first-
line anticancer treatment in advanced NSCLC
Activated
Coordinating investigator
Clinical project manager Solange Peters, Lausanne
SPLENDOUR@etop-eu.org
SAKK 23/13
Activated
Coordinating investigator
Clinical project manager
January 12, 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Impact of a Surgical Sealing Patch on Lymphatic Drainage after Axillary Lymph Node Dissection for Breast Cancer
March 18, 2015
Walter P. Weber, Basel
estelle.cassoly@sakk.ch
Authorized trial
HOVON 132/SAKK 30/10
Randomized study with a run-in dose-selection phase to assess the added value of lenalidomide in combination with standard remission-induction chemotherapy and post-remission treatment in patients aged 18-65 years with previously untreated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or high risk myelodysplasia (MDS) (according to IPSS-R risk score > 4.5)
Approval Swissmedic
Approval ethical committee
Coordinating investigator
Clinical project manager
August 14, 2014
December 23, 2014
Thomas Pabst, Bern
andrea.fuhrer@sakk.ch
Remark: Based on the HOVON DSMB recommendation, an amendment to the protocol was written and submitted in December 2014 to the competent authorities in the Netherlands. Approval was obtained mid-January 2015.
Unfortunately, all the countries that were not activated for the study before December 2014 can only be activated after the
amendment is accepted. In Switzerland, the trial was officially authorized at the end of December 2014.
The amendment was submitted to the lead EC Bern and Swissmedic at the beginning of March. Activation of the trial is
expected for April 2014.
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
16 March 30, 2015
SAKK Newsletter
TRIAL NEWS
Approval pending
SAKK 06/14
A phase I/II open label clinical trial assessing safety and efficacy of intravesical instillation of the recombinant BCG VPM1002 in patients with recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer after standard BCG therapy
Submitted
Coordinating investigator
Clinical project manager
SAKK 33/14
January 28, 2015
Cyrill Rentsch, Basel
milica.enoui@sakk.ch
Effects of sympathicomimetic agonists on the disease course and mutant allele burden in
patients with Jak2-mutatated myeloproliferative neoplasms. A multicenter phase II trial
Submitted
Coordinating investigator
Clinical project manager
January 29, 2015
Jakob Passweg, Basel
andrea.fuhrer@sakk.ch
SAKK 36/13
Combination of Ibrutinib and Bortezomib to treat mantle cell lymphomas patients – a multi
center phase I/II tria
Submitted
Coordinating investigator
Clinical project manager
Alliance/PROSPECT trial
Submitted
Coordinating investigator
Clinical project manager
February 27, 2015
Urban Novak, Bern
katrin.eckhardt@sakk.ch
A phase II/III trial of neoadjuvant folfox, with selective use of combined modality chemoradiation vs. preoperative combined modality chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer patients undergoing low anterior resection with total mesorectal excision
December 19, 2014
Michael Montemurro, Bellinzona
anna.tomaszewska@sakk.ch
Trial closed for accrual
SAKK 21/12 Phase I
A Phase I and stratified, multicenter Phase II trial of transdermal CR1447 (4-OH-testosterone) in endocrine responsive-HER2 negative and triple negative-androgen receptor positive metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer
Closed for accrual
Coordinating investigator
Clinical project manager
Martin Zweifel, Bern
March 10, 2015
SAKK 41/10
Closed for accrual
Coordinating investigator
Clinical project manager
Cetuximab Monotherapy versus Cetuximab plus Capecitabine as first-line treatment in elderly patients with KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer
January 15, 2015
Dirk Kienle, Zurich
daniela.baertschi@sakk.ch
SAKK 67/13
Phase I study of oral PQR309 in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Closed for accrual
Coordinating investigator
Clinical project manager
Andreas Wicki, Basel
karin.rothgiesser@sakk.ch
March 17, 2015
vincent.bize@sakk.ch
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
March 30, 2015 17
SAKK Newsletter
TRIAL NEWS
Trial terminated
SAKK 19/05 Bevacizumab and erlotinib first-line therapy in advanced non-squamous non-small-
cell lung cancer (stage lllB/lV) followed by platinum-based chemotherapy at disease
progression
Terminated
February 10, 2015
|www| All information on SAKK trials can also be found under www.sakk.ch
in the members’ section.
PUBLICATIONS Q1 2015
Publications
Urogenital Cancers
SAKK 08/09
Joerger M, van Schaik RH, Becker ML, Hayoz S, Pollak M, Cathomas R, Winterhalder R, Gillessen S, Rothermundt C. Multidrug and toxin extrusion 1 and human organic cation transporter 1 polymorphisms in patients with castration-resistant
prostate cancer receiving metformin (SAKK 08/09). Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2015 Mar 10.
Lung Cancers
SAKK 17/04
Rusch A, Ziltener G, Nackaerts K, Weder W, Stahel RA, Felley-Bosco E. Prevalence of BRCA-1 associated protein 1 germline
mutation in sporadic malignant pleural mesothelioma cases. Lung Cancer. 2015 Jan 8.
Leukemia
GRAALL-2003/2005
Dhédin N, Huynh A, Maury S, Tabrizi R, Beldjord K, Asnafi V, Thomas X, Chevallier P, Nguyen S, Coiteux V, Bourhis JH, Hichri
Y, Escoffre-Barbe M, Reman O, Graux C, Chalandon Y, Blaise D, Schanz U, Lhéritier V, Cahn JY, Dombret H, Ifrah N. Role of
allogeneic stem cell transplantation in adult patients with Ph-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood. 2015 Jan 13.
HOVON
Walter RB, Othus M, Burnett AK, Löwenberg B, Kantarjian HM, Ossenkoppele GJ, Hills RK, Ravandi F, Pabst T, Evans A,
Pierce SR, Vekemans MC, Appelbaum FR, Estey EH. Resistance prediction in AML: analysis of 4601 patients from MRC/NCRI,
HOVON/SAKK, SWOG and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Leukemia. 2015 Feb 29.
Gastrointestinal Cancer
SAKK 41/06
Koeberle D, Betticher DC, von Moos R, Dietrich D, Brauchli P, Baertschi D, Matter K, Winterhalder R, Borner M, Anchisi S,
Moosmann P, Kollar A, Saletti P, Roth A, Frueh M, Kueng M, Popescu RA, Schacher S, Hess V, Herrmann R. Bevacizumab
continuation versus no continuation after first-line chemotherapy plus bevacizumab in patients with metastatic colorectal
cancer: a randomized phase III non-inferiority trial (SAKK 41/06). Ann Oncol. 2015 Jan 20.
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
18 March 30, 2015
SAKK Newsletter
PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS Q1 2015
Head and Neck cancer
SAKK 10/94
Ghadjar P, Hayoz S, Zimmermann F, Bodis S, Kaul D, Badakhshi H, Bernier J, Studer G, Plasswilm L, Budach V, Aebersold DM;
For the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK). Impact of weight loss on survival after chemoradiation for locally
advanced head and neck Cancer: secondary results of a randomized phase III trial (SAKK 10/94). Radiat Oncol. 2015 Jan 17.
Abstracts
Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium
Poster
Helbling D. et al. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) with or without panitumumab (Pan) in patients with K-ras unmutated, locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC): Final results of a randomized multicenter phase II trial (SAKK 41/07).
|www| All SAKK publications can also be found under http://sakk.ch/en/sakk-provides/for-research/scientific-publications/
MISCELLANEOUS
FAceS-project University of Munich
Im Rahmen des FAceS-Projekts (www.faces.wi.tum.de/) führt der Lehrstuhl für Strategie und Organisation an der Technischen Universität München derzeit eine Befragung zu Publikationspraktiken und zur Leistungsbewertung in der Wissenschaft
durch. Um repräsentatives Wissen zu den Publikationspraktiken und zur Leistungsbewertung in der Wissenschaft über verschiedene Länder und Disziplinen (z.B. Medizin) hinweg zu gewinnen, sind wir an Ihren Einschätzungen und Meinungsäußerungen zu diesem Thema interessiert.
Personen, die an der Befragung teilnehmen, wird die Möglichkeit gegeben, an der Verlosung eines iPad mini teilzuhaben.
Zur Befragung gelangen Sie, indem Sie auf den folgenden Link klicken: http://ww3.unipark.de/uc/OA/. Wir würden uns sehr
freuen, wenn Sie an unserer Befragung teilnehmen. Wir danken Ihnen im Voraus herzlich für Ihre Unterstützung.
Technische Universität München
Lehrstuhl für Strategie und Organisation
Prof. Dr. Isabell M. Welpe
Arcisstraße 21
D-80333 München
Tel.: +49-(0)89-289-24800
Fax: +49-(0)89-289-24805
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
SAKK Newsletter
March 30, 2015 19
IBCSG
St.Gallen International Breast
Cancer Award 2015
During the opening ceremony of the St.Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference, Alan Coates received
this prestigious award in consideration of his strong
commitment to international scientific trial cooperation,
especially in breast cancer research, with a strong focus
on tolerability of treatment and quality of life, and his
indispensable contributions in the writing committee of
the St.Gallen Consensus. IBCSG expresses its heartfelt
congratulation to Alan for this well-deserved recognition.
Alan has been one of the leaders of IBCSG for the past
decades, and served for many
years as scientific co-chair of
our group, a position from
which he only just resigned
last year. In this function, Alan
has been essential in helping
to guide the group in a continuously evolving context of the
polarity between academic
and pharma-sponsored clinical research. We are all fortuA. Coates
nate to have him with us, and
look forward to many more
stimulating discussions and continuous mentorship.
Angelo DiLeo contributes, Rich Gelber takes notes
cal trials. Giuseppe Curigliano from the European Institute
of Oncology in Milan, Italy, sketched the future of IBCSG
with trials in the phase I-II setting which becomes a key
focus in the era of ever increasing numbers of new targeted agents with a need for rapid evaluation. The newly
founded Executive of the Scientific Committee will consider the proposals over the next weeks and months and
come back to the Foundation Council with a development
strategy.
IBCSG Annual Meeting
On March 21 and 22, right after the St.Gallen Breast Cancer Conference, the IBCSG community met for our Annual
Meeting. Since “St.Gallen” took place in Vienna, IBCSG
had the opportunity to gather in this unique city with its
thrilling history, world class cultural heritage and friendly
inhabitants. The meeting was organized to perfection by
Marianne Peer from the IBCSG Coordinating Center, and
was held in Parkhotel Schönbrunn, next to the Schönbrunn Palace where Franz Joseph, the last emperor of the
Habsburgian Empire, lived and died.
The Data Managers’ Workshop is one of the pillars of the
Annual Meeting. This year, Karen Price, Director of Scientific Administration, gave the key note address about
“Managing the Dynamics of a Protocol – How You and
the Protocol are Essential to the Study’s Success”. Several
other presentations addressed the complex issues around
all aspects of conducting and documenting clinical trials.
During the PI meeting, principal investigators from several IBCSG institutions proposed new initiatives for clini-
Critical questions from the audience
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
20 March 30, 2015
SAKK Newsletter
IBCSG
In the Scientific Session, the newly elected Scientific Committee Chair, Marco Colleoni, from the European Institute
of Oncology, presented the new structure of the Scientific
Committee. Anita Hiltbrunner, IBCSG Director, summarized the decisions made by the Foundation Council and
presented the members of the new Executive to Scientific
Committee (members: Fran Boyle, Angelo Di Leo, Guy Jerusalem, Karen Price, Meredith Regan, Giuseppe Viale).
Karen Price gave an overview of the 2014 publications of
the group. The respective trial chairs took turn to recall all
currently open trials to the attendees. These presentations
were interspersed with research intermezzi on recent results of trial 22-00 (to be published soon), QoL findings
in SOFT and TEXT, and an overview of Quality Assurance
in Academic Research by Petra Sicher, Head of QA at the
Coordinating Center.
The social part of an Annual Meeting is always a highlight;
this year, delegates convened and dined at the beautiful
renaissance Palais Niederösterreich, where Rolf Stahel,
IBCSG President, addressed the crowd and expressed his
gratitude to Aron Goldhirsch and Alan Coates for their
longstanding leadership of the group.
CLINICAL TRIALS
IBCSG 42-12 SNAP
The trial evaluates in a randomized phase II fashion three
different schedules of nab-Paclitaxel in patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed HER2-negative metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer who have not received
any prior chemotherapy. Based on recommendations
from the IBCSG Data and Safety Monitoring Committee
(DSMC), IBCSG issued an amendment to adapt the dose
of nab-Paclitaxel in the induction phase. It was decided
to decrease the dose in the induction phase to 125 mg/
m² while keeping the current doses in the maintenance
phase. The amendment has to be activated by end of the
year 2014.
The accrual has increased recently and the accrual goal
will be reached at the beginning of 2015. Based on a
recommendation from the DSMC, IBCSG has decided to
increase the total sample size from 240 to 258, which will
extend the recruitment period to Q2, 2015.
The statistical plan in the protocol requires 76 evaluable
patients per arm in order to have, within a reasonable
follow-up time, the 63 progression-free survival (PFS)
events per arm needed to provide the planned power. The
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
“drop-out” rate of patients who will not contribute to the
determination of the primary endpoint PFS has proved to
be higher than the originally expected 5%. The rate of
non-evaluability, especially for the maintenance phase of
the treatment, is anticipated to rise to as much as 12%.
To retain the originally planned power, the accrual goal
per arm has therefore been increased to 86. The corresponding amendment has been issued and is in the approval process.
IBCSG’s Program for Young Patients
IBCSG 43-09 HOHO
IBCSG 43-09 is the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Study,
and HOHO stands for “Helping Ourselves Helping Others”. It is a longitudinal cohort study of 300 young women
with breast cancer (early or advanced) in selected institutions in Europe. All eligible patients treated at each center
are invited to join the cohort. Patient surveys and medical
record review are utilized. Women are surveyed every 6
months for the first 3 years after diagnosis, then yearly
thereafter for an additional 7 years (for a total follow-up
of 10 years following diagnosis). The study has two main
objectives:
1. To identify in selected institutions in Europe a cohort
of young women (age 18-40) newly diagnosed with
breast cancer (early or advanced) to assess a broad
range of variables at baseline and over the course of
the ensuing 10 years.
2. To characterize this population at diagnosis and in
follow-up regarding disease and psychosocial outcomes (e.g., presentation and disease characteristics,
fertility and menopausal issues, and long term outcome).
At present 17 centers in Italy and 5 centers in Switzerland are participating in the trial and have accrued 249
patients up to end of February 2015, 67 of them by Swiss
sites.
IBCSG 48-14/BIG 8-13 POSITIVE
The best available evidence suggests that pregnancy after breast cancer does not negatively impact disease outcome and is safe for the offspring but no definitive information is available to recommend a safe interval from BC
diagnosis to pregnancy. The POSITIVE trial will investigate
endocrine therapy (ET) interruption to enable conception
for young women between 18 and 42 years of age with
endocrine responsive early breast cancer who received
adjuvant ET for 18 to 30 months and wish to attempt
March 30, 2015 21
SAKK Newsletter
IBCSG
pregnancy. The main objectives are:
1. To assess the risk of breast cancer relapse associated
with temporary interruption of endocrine therapy to
permit pregnancy
2. To evaluate factors associated with pregnancy success after interruption of endocrine therapy.
The trial will also allow for the testing of biologic correlates of pregnancy and disease outcome.
E, Bellet M, Bonnefoi HR, Climent MA, Da Prada GA,
Burstein HJ, Martino S, Davidson NE, Geyer Jr CE, Walley
BA, Coleman RC, Kerbrat P, Buchholz S, Ingle JN, Winer EP,
Rabaglio-Poretti M, Maibach R, Ruepp B, Giobbie-Hurder
A, Price KN, Colleoni M, Viale G, Coates AS, Goldhirsch A,
Gelber RD for the SOFT investigators and the International Breast Cancer Study Group. Adjuvant ovarian suppression in premenopausal breast cancer. *Co-first authors. N
Engl J Med 372:436-446, 2015 (IBCSG 24-02).
A psycho-oncological companion study evaluating psychological distress, fertility concerns and decisional conflict in young women who participate in POSITIVE has
been developed and will be activated in sites interested
and capable to conduct it. The participation of the USAmerican Alliance Group is anticipated and will be negotiated in the months to come. The other countries currently scheduled for activation are Belgium, Italy, Greece,
Spain, Denmark, Hungary and Australia.
Stearns V, Chapman JA, Ma CX, Ellis MJ, Ingle JN, Pritchard
KI, Budd GT, Rabaglio M, Sledge GW, Le Maitre A, Kundapur J, Liedke PER, Shepherd LE, Goss PE. Treatmentassociated musculoskeletal and vasomotor symptoms
and relapse-free survival in the NCIC CTG MA.27 adjuvant breast cancer aromatase inhibitor trial. J Clin Oncol
33:265-271, 2015 (IBCSG 30-04).
Sieuwerts AM, Willis S, Burns MB, Look MP, Gelder ME,
Schlicker A, Heideman MR, Jacobs H, Wessels L, LeylandJones B, Gray KP, Foekens JA, Harris RS, Martens JW.
Elevated APOBEC3B Correlates with Poor Outcomes for
Estrogen-Receptor-Positive Breast Cancers. Horm Cancer
5:405-413, 2014. (BIG 1-98).
A total of 500 patients are planned to be recruited into
the trial from centers worldwide in approximately 4 years.
The trial is currently being activated in Switzerland, 2 out
of 13 planned sites are open. The Institute of Oncology of
Southern Switzerland is the first site which has opened
the trial worldwide, and has accrued the first patient in
December.
The complete IBCSG publication list can be downloaded
from http://www.ibcsg.org/Member/Publi/IBCSG_Publi/
Pages/default.aspx
Latest IBCSG publication
Moore HC, Unger JM, Phillips KA, Boyle F, Hitre E, Porter
D, Francis PA, Goldstein LJ, Gomez HL, Vallejos CS, Partridge AH, Dakhil SR, Garcia AA, Gralow J, Lombard JM,
Forbes JF, Martino S, Barlow WE, Fabian CJ, Minasian L,
Meyskens FL Jr, Gelber RD, Hortobagyi GN, Albain KS; the
POEMS/S0230 Investigators. Goserelin for ovarian protection during breast-cancer adjuvant chemotherapy. N Engl
J Med 5:372:923-932, 2015. (IBCSG 34-05).
Francis PA, Regan MM, Fleming GF, Láng I, Ciruelos
Rudolf Maibach
IBCSG Coordinating Center (www.ibcsg.org)
Accrual of open clinical trials
(As of February 28, 2015)
Trials
Current accrual
Current accrual SAKK
Total target accrual
42-12 SNAP
237
68
258
43-09 HOHO
249
67
300
48-14 POSITIVE
1
1
500
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
22 March 30, 2015
SAKK Newsletter
ETOP
Clinical trials
ETOP 2-11 BELIEF
BELIEF, a phase II prospective trial sponsored by ETOP and coordinated together with the Spanish Lung Cancer Group
(SLCG), is the first therapeutic ETOP trial. BELIEF will determine the long-term outcome of patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC with activating EGFR mutations (L858R and exon 19 deletion) with or without T790M resistance mutation
at diagnosis and treated with the combination of erlotinib and bevacizumab. The accrual goal of 102 patients was reached
in October 2014. Treatment and follow-up continue as planned.
ETOP 3-12 EMPHASIS-lung
In this trial, the predictive value of Veristrat, a serum proteomic test, is being assessed regarding the efficacy of erlotinib in
pretreated patients with advanced squamous cell lung carcinoma. Over 50 centers from several European countries were
activated. By the end of January 2013, 81 patients were randomized, 14 from SAKK sites. Recruitment was terminated prematurely due to an accrual rate that was deemed insufficient and publication of controversial new data from another study.
No safety concerns led to the decision to close accrual. Treatment and follow-up of all included patients continue as specified in the protocol. An abstract has been submitted to ASCO. Additionally, a pooled analysis with a similar trial conducted
in all advanced NSCLC subtypes is planned.
ETOP 4-12 STIMULI
The combination of chemotherapy and thoracic radiotherapy is currently the standard treatment approach in limited stage
SCLC. Several studies now showed that stimulation of immune cells may stop tumor growth. Ipilimumab, a humanized
monoclonal antibody, activates the immune system by targeting CTLA-4, a protein receptor that down-regulates anticancer
immune response.
This randomized multicenter open-label trial tests the efficacy and tolerability of the standard treatment alone or with
subsequent consolidation with ipilimumab in patients with limited disease SCLC, with overall survival as primary endpoint.
ETOP conducts the trial in collaboration with the Intergroupe Francophone de Cancérologie Thoracique (IFCT). Centre activation is progressively ongoing and the accrual just started with to date 9 patients enrolled. From Switzerland, the university
hospitals Zürich and Lausanne are participating in this trial.
ETOP 5-12 SPLENDOUR
Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting and inhibiting RANKL, a protein that acts as the primary signal for bone resorption. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of the combination of standard treatment (chemotherapy)
with denosumab as compared to the standard treatment alone to increase survival of patients with advanced NSCLC with
or without bone metastasis in advanced unselected treatment-naïve patients.
ETOP is the sponsor of this trial that will be conducted in collaboration with EORTC as coordinating group, as well as CECOG.
The 1000 patients will be enrolled within approximately 3 years. 11 SAKK sites will participate in this trial. The first sites have
been activated in December 2014 and the current accrual is 11 patients, 4 from SAKK sites.
Solange Peters
Scientific Coordinator
Heidi Roschitzki
ETOP Coordinating Office (www.etop-eu.org)
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
March 30, 2015 23
SAKK Newsletter
SWISS CANCER LEAGUE
Half of the women newly diagnosed with breast cancer are treated in a
certified breast cancer centre
The quality label of the Swiss Cancer League (SCL) and the Swiss Society of Senology (SSS) is meeting with increasing interest. The label certifies breast centres, which fulfil the quality criteria for treatment and care of women with breast cancer. It
therefore provides general guidance to affected women.
Since its launch the Swiss quality label has been awarded to 12 breast centres. Together with three more centres, which are
certified by the German Cancer Society (DKG) or the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA), more than
half of all the new breast cancer cases in Switzerland are treated in certified centres. This means that 3000 out of 5500
women newly diagnosed with breast cancer are receiving the best possible care.
The aim is that all breast cancer patients will have access to certified centres. This aim will soon be reached if all the parties
continue to show great commitment.
For further information in German and French visit
www.krebsliga.ch/q-label
www.liguecancer.ch/q-label
Contact
Mark Witschi, MD
Head Q-Label Office
q-label@krebsliga.ch
2nd Swiss Cancer Congress “Quality in oncology”
27th August 2015, University of Fribourg
We invite you to sign up for the 2nd Swiss Cancer Congress which will take place on 27th August 2015 at the
University of Fribourg.
The central topic of the congress is quality. Can quality be quantified? And if yes, how? What importance does quality have
in the overall social context, and, more specifically, in oncology? These questions will be addressed in a plenary session and
subsequent workshops focusing on specific aspects of quality.
The congress offers a unique platform for doctors, nurses and all professionals involved in the treatment and care of cancer
patients to engage in a multidisciplinary and inter-professional exchange.
For more information and online registration please refer to the congress website www.swisscancercongress.ch.
Congress organiser: Pro Medicus GmbH, scc@promedicus.ch, phone 041 266 99 17
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
24 March 30, 2015
SAKK Newsletter
GRANT
Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research® (RTF-CCR) is proud to enter into its third year of Clinical Cancer
Research Grant partnership with the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) and Gateway for Cancer ResearchSM
(Gateway). This grant is focused on addressing five critical challenges in clinical cancer research and is endowed with a total of USD 1'500'000.
In our quest to support cancer patients to feel better, live longer or be cured TODAY, we are calling all investigators to submit
research proposals for innovative, patient-centered clinical cancer trials that:
•
•
•
•
•
Increase the efficacy of cancer diagnostics and therapeutics through targeted and personalized medicine
Develop approaches for metastatic disease with broad applicability to multiple cancers
Develop technologies or therapeutic approaches to overcoming drug resistance of refractory cancers
Improve quality of life: address late effects and long-term outcomes of cancer therapies
Use of repurposed durgs and devices to quickly find safe and affordable treatments for both common and rare cancers
Research proposals must be submitted in MS Word format with an abbreviated CV and examples of published work. The winning proposal will be announced in November 2015.
To download an application form: http://sakk.ch/en/sakk-provides/for-research/research-grants/
For application information, contact: Eveline Mumenthaler, Director Rising Tide Foundation
Eveline.mumenthaler@risingtide.ch
www.risingtide-ccr.com
Prof. Dr. Beat Thürlimann, President SAKK
sakkcc@sakk.ch
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
March 30, 2015 25
SAKK Newsletter
GRANTS
SAKK / Dr. Paul Janssen Fellowship
SAKK and Janssen-Cilag AG have decided to jointly award a fellowship endowed with CHF 30 000.-. The educational grant is aimed at offering young doctors the opportunity to spend three to four months at a renowned
research center abroad to gain experience and acquire the necessary know-how and tools to develop and conduct
top-quality clinical trials in oncology / hematology .
Doctors who train as oncologists / hematologists at Swiss hospitals and are associated with SAKK are herewith
invited to apply for the educational grant. The research grant will be awarded at the SAKK semi-annual meeting on
June 25, 2015.
Submission deadline: April 30, 2015
submission to sakkcc@sakk.ch
The SAKK / Dr. Paul Janssen Fellowship regulations can be obtained at
http://sakk.ch/en/sakk-provides/for-research/research-grants/.
Contact: Dennis Ammann, Marketing Manager, dennis.ammann@sakk.ch
SAKK / Pfizer Award 2015
SAKK and Pfizer AG (Switzerland) jointly award the SAKK / Pfizer Award endowed with CHF 20'000.- every two
years. The award honors patient-oriented, practice-relevant research in clinical oncology.
Medical professionals below the age of 45 are welcome to apply for the SAKK / Pfizer Award by submitting their
research work in the form of a scientific publication. The manuscript must be either published within the last year or
be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The publication must directly contribute to the improvement
of cancer treatment and patient outcome.
Submission deadline: May 1, 2015
submission to sakkcc@sakk.ch
The SAKK / Pfizer Award regulations can be obtained at http://sakk.ch/en/sakk-provides/for-research/researchgrants/. Contact: Dennis Ammann, Marketing Manager, dennis.ammann@sakk.ch
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
26 March 30, 2015
SAKK Newsletter
EVENTS
Join us and celebrate our 50th anniversary at the
ACTIVE AGAINST CANCER
public event
on
May 20, 2015
opening at 15h00
Bundesplatz Bern
http://sakk.ch/en/calendar/sakk-50-years/
SAKK Semi-Annual Meeting
June 25/26, 2015, Zurich
It is our pleasure to invite you to our semi-annual meeting which will be held in Zurich on June 25/26, 2015. Please visit
http://sakk.ch/en/sakk-provides/for-research/semi-annual-meeting for a detailed program and registration form, as
well as a floor plan of the premises.
Venue:
Zurich Marriott Hotel
Information: SAKK Coordinating Center
Neumuehlequai 42Effingerstrasse 40
8006 Zürich3008 Bern
Phone: +41 44 360 70 70
Phone: +41 31 389 91 91
Fax:
+41 31 389 92 00
E-mail: events@sakk.ch
Web:
www.sakk.ch
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
March 30, 2015 27
SAKK Newsletter
EVENTS
Fortbildung
Weichteilsarkome - Dreiländer Treffen
April 23, 2015, 14h00-18h20
Restaurant “Au Premier”, Bahnhofplatz 15, 8001 Zurich
Information and registration: http://sakk.ch/en/calendar/
9th Swiss PostASCO
June 11, 2015, 09h45-17h00
Event & Kongresszentrum, Stade de Suisse
Champions Lounge, Bern
Information and registration: www.swisspostasco.ch
Orphan Malignancies Seminar
Management des Schilddrüsen und Merkelzellkarzinoms
September 10, 2015, 15h00-19h20
The Central Plaza Hotel Central 1, 8001 Zurich
Information and registration: http://sakk.ch/en/calendar/
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
28 March 30, 2015
SAKK Newsletter
EDUCATION, EVENTS
SAKK Training course for
CRCs and CTNs
SAKK Investigators'education
October 22 & 29, 2015
SAKK, Bern
August 28, 2015, Bern
For members of the SAKK network and SPOG
the course is free of charge.
For members of the SAKK network and SPOG
the course is free of charge.
More information:
http://sakk.ch/en/calendar/education/
More information:
http://sakk.ch/en/calendar/education/
Supported by
Supported by
Planned in between meetings of project groups and working groups 2015
Group
Next meetings
Urogenital Tumors
September 18, 2015, 14h15-16h45
Breast Cancers
to be confirmed
Leukemia
September 10, 2015, 13h30-17h00
Lung Cancer
to be confirmed
Lymphoma
to be confirmed
New Anticancer Drugs
to be confirmed
Gynecological Cancer
April 17, 2015, 16h15-18h15
Gastrointestinal Cancer
September 17, 2015, 13h15-16h15
Detailed information regarding time, place and agenda of the meetings can be found on the members'section on our
website www.sakk.ch
The Swiss Oncology Research Network
29 March 30, 2015
SAKK Newsletter
SAKK ANNIVERSARY EVENTS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
May 20, ACTIVE AGAINST CANCER, public event, Bern
June 25, Plenary Lecture @ Semi-Annual Meeting, Zurich
July 2, EHA/post-ICML educational event, Zurich
August 26, Lecture, Thun
August 29, Public event City of St.Gallen
October 9, Scientific Symposium @ DGHO, Basel
October 29, Symposium @ Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen
November 19, Symposium @ Semi-Annual Meeting, Zurich
SAKK DATES 2015
•
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April 23, 2015, Weichteilsarkome-Dreiländer Treffen Zurich
May 5 & 6, 2015, Board Meeting and Retreat
June 11, 9th Swiss PostASCO Bern
June 24, 2015, General Assembly
June 25 & 26, 2015 Semi-Annual Meeting Zurich
August 27, 2nd Swiss Cancer Congress Fribourg
September 1, 2015, Board Meeting
September 10, 2015, Orphan Malignancies Seminar Zurich
November 3, 2015, Board Meeting
November 18, 2015, General Assembly
November 19 & 20, 2015, Semi-Annual Meeting Zurich
Flag
Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research
Coordinating Center
Effingerstrasse 40
3008 Bern
Tel. +41 31 389 91 91
Fax +41 31 389 92 00
E-mail: sakkcc@sakk.ch
www.sakk.ch
Claudia Herren
claudia.herren@sakk.ch
Peter Brauchli