Swiss Cancer Institute Awards 2026

The “IMPRINT” project combines high-resolution T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing with machine learning to better predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Dr. Johanna Chiffelle of CHUV-UNIL in Lausanne aims to integrate the data obtained into a user-friendly digital reporting tool. This tool is designed to combine complex AI-based analyses with established biomarkers and clinical patient data to support physicians in making treatment decisions during tumor board meetings. For this project, Dr. Johanna Chiffelle was awarded the SCI/AbbVie Digital Innovation Award.

The “PILOT-BiTE” project is the first phase of the overarching “SAFE-BiTE” project and investigates how bispecific T-cell therapies (BiTEs) can be safely administered on an outpatient basis to patients with advanced small-cell lung cancer. Using wearable devices, vital signs are continuously monitored and combined with blood biomarkers to detect potential side effects early and identify patients at low risk for outpatient treatment. The findings are intended to lay the groundwork for future multicenter studies and establish safe outpatient treatment standards. Dr. Jorune Pikeli was honored with the SCI/AstraZeneca Transform Care Award for this project.

The project “Biomarkers to Improve Quality of Life and Outcome of Treatment-Free Remission in CML Patients” investigates which patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) can benefit in the long term from discontinuing their therapy. Dr. Emmanuel Häfliger aims to examine various biological and immunological characteristics and identify potential biomarkers that can better predict the success of treatment-free remission. The findings are expected to enable a more targeted selection of suitable patients and help improve both treatment outcomes and the quality of life for people with CML in the long term. For this project, Dr. Emmanuel Häfliger was awarded the SCI/Novartis Together for Patients Award.

This research project is investigating the effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists on symptoms, quality of life, and treatment adherence in patients with early-stage HR+/HER2− breast cancer who are receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy. Dr. Elena Diana Chiru of the Baselland Cantonal Hospital aims to investigate whether these medications can reduce treatment-related symptoms while also positively influencing metabolic factors. To this end, quality of life, fatigue, pain, physical activity, metabolic parameters, and treatment adherence, among other factors, will be assessed over a 12-month period. The findings are expected to contribute to improving the tolerability of endocrine therapy and patients’ quality of life in the long term. For this project, Dr. Elena Diana Chiru was awarded the SCI/Gilead Expanding Horizons in Oncology Award.

The “Advanced International Fellowship in the Early Drug Development Unit at The Royal Marsden / Institute of Cancer Research” provides Dr. Martino Pedrani with a 12-month fellowship at one of Europe’s leading institutions for early-phase clinical trials. As part of the fellowship, he will deepen his expertise in early-phase drug development, Phase 1 trials, and the integration of translational research and clinical application. The knowledge gained will subsequently be applied to the expansion of the early-phase trial program at the Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI/EOC) and will enable patients in Switzerland to have better access to innovative cancer therapies. For this fellowship, Dr. Martino Pedrani was honored with the SCI/Gilead Expanding Horizons in Oncology Award.

The project “Curative-intent treatment strategies and outcomes in metaplastic breast cancer” examines treatment and therapeutic outcomes in patients with metaplastic breast cancer, a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. As part of a Switzerland-wide multicenter study, Anne-Murielle Hollinger aims to investigate how patients respond to different treatment approaches and which factors are associated with treatment resistance. In addition, the tumor microenvironment will be analyzed to identify potential biomarkers for treatment response. The findings are expected to help make more targeted treatment decisions for this rare form of breast cancer and improve long-term treatment outcomes. For this project, Anne-Murielle Hollinger was awarded the SCI/Roche Young Investigator Award.

The project “Mast-cell-derived nerve growth factor drives ILC2 pro-tumoral functions in bladder cancer” investigates the role of certain immune cells in the development and progression of bladder cancer. Camilla Jandus, MD, and her team were able to demonstrate that the nerve growth factor NGF activates certain immune cells and can thereby promote tumor growth. Targeted blockade of this signaling pathway could represent a new therapeutic approach and, in particular, improve the efficacy of immunotherapies in patients who have been resistant to treatment thus far. For this project, Camilla Jandus was awarded the SCI/Astellas GU-GI Research Award.

The project “Pre-transplant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccination in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients” investigates whether RSV vaccination prior to an allogeneic stem cell transplant can provide better protection against severe respiratory infections. Dr. Jonas Lötscher aims to investigate whether the immunity established before transplantation is maintained during the particularly vulnerable first few months following the procedure. The findings could help reduce respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections and related complications in patients following a stem cell transplant. For this project, Dr. Jonas Lötscher was awarded the SCI/BMS HEM Pioneer Award.