Swiss Cancer Institute/Astellas & AstraZeneca Translational GU Oncology Research Award

During the Swiss Cancer Institute Translational Urogenital Cancer Network Meeting on 18 and 19 June 2026 in Baden, selected researchers presented their projects in translational GU oncology. The two-day meeting provided a platform for scientific exchange and showcased innovative research approaches aimed at translating scientific findings into clinical applications and improving outcomes for patients with GU cancers.

The projects and presentations were evaluated by a Scientific Committee consisting of Dr. Clémentine Le Magnen (University Hospital Basel), Dr. med. Mohamed Shelan (Inselspital Bern), Prof. Dr. med. Jean-Philippe Theurillat (Institute of Oncology Research IOR, Bellinzona) and Dr. med. Petros Tsantoulis (Geneva University Hospitals HUG). The evaluation considered the potential impact on GU cancer outcomes, the translational character and novelty of the project, as well as the presentation itself.

Following the presentations, the Scientific Committee selected Victor Le Gall, PhD candidate at the Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, as the winner of the 2026 Award.

The Swiss Cancer Institute/Astellas & AstraZeneca Translational GU Oncology Research Award, endowed with CHF 10,000, supports ongoing translational research in GU oncology. Jointly supported by Astellas and AstraZeneca, the award aims to advance innovative research that bridges scientific discoveries and clinical application.

His project, “Dissecting Immunological Mechanisms Driving Pathological Complete Responses in the SAKK 06/19 BCG-Augmented Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer,” examines the immunological mechanisms underlying the high pathological complete response rates observed in the SAKK 06/19 clinical trial.

By analyzing blood, urine, and tumor tissue collected before and after treatment, the project aims to gain a better understanding of the systemic and local immune responses associated with successful therapy. The research also seeks to identify predictive biomarkers and immune cell populations involved in the antitumor response.

These findings could help identify patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment and support the development of future combination therapies for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

The Swiss Cancer Institute congratulates Victor Le Gall on receiving the 2026 Swiss Cancer Institute/Astellas & AstraZeneca Translational GU Oncology Research Award.

The two-day meeting brought together researchers and clinicians in genitourinary oncology and provided a platform for scientific exchange, project presentations, and discussions. Below are some highlights from the meeting and the award ceremony.