Four early-career clinician-scientists have been awarded full funding by Cancer Core Europe (CCE) to participate in the prestigious MCCR Workshop, taking place from 14 to 19 June 2025 in Sint Michielsgestel, Netherlands.
This initiative was spearheaded by CCE’s Clinical Trials and Translational Cancer Research pillar, co-led by Dr. Neeltje Steeghs (Netherlands Cancer Institute) and Dr. Richard Baird (CRUK Cambridge Centre). Designed to engage promising young clinicians and researchers, the call for applications culminated in a Dragon’s Den-style workshop focused on identifying and supporting outstanding clinical trial proposals.
Encouraging Future Leaders in Clinical Cancer Research
Founded in 1999, the Methods in Clinical Cancer Research (MCCR) Workshop is a one-week intensive program that trains early-career investigators in best practices for clinical trial design. It also provides participants with direct access to world-class experts from leading institutions and diverse backgrounds in clinical research.
The course is jointly organized by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Dr. Christophe Massard (Gustave Roussy), member of the CCE Board of Directors, serves as the workshop director on behalf of ESMO.
CCE’s Application and Selection Process
Interested applicants from CCE institutes were asked to submit a one-page clinical trial proposal. A selection committee then shortlisted candidates who were invited to present their projects in a Dragon’s Den-style session—a dynamic format in which participants pitch their ideas to a panel of experts to secure support.
Following this engaging and competitive session, six early-career investigators were selected. Each received a letter of support from Cancer Core Europe to strengthen their application to MCCR. Among them, Cyril Roussel-Simonn, Alexandre Xu-Vuillard, Cédric Pobel from Gustave Roussy, and Tom Seijkens (Netherlands Cancer Institute) were awarded full scholarships, covering the entire participation fee for the 2025 edition of the workshop.
Introducing Cyril, Tom, Alexandre, and Cédric
Cyril Roussel-Simonn is a medical oncologist at Gustave Roussy, where he works in both the Breast Cancer Unit and the Drug Development Department (DITEP). His work bridges clinical care and translational research, with a strong focus on epigenetics, liquid biopsy, and early-phase clinical trials. Cyril is passionate about integrating molecular biology into innovative therapeutic strategies.
Tom Seijkens, studied Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Maastricht University (The Netherlands). He completed his PhD at the University of Amsterdam, focusing on the development of novel anti-inflammatory interventions for chronic inflammatory diseases. Since 2022, he has been working as a medical oncologist at the Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, with a focus on immunotherapy and cellular therapies.
Alexandre Xu-Vuillard is currently a medical oncology fellow in the Breast Pathology Department at Gustave Roussy. As valedictorian from the Medical Faculty of Strasbourg, he is affiliated with Sorbonne University for his fellowship. His research interests include ovarian, renal, and breast cancers, with several peer-reviewed publications. Special congratulations to Alexandre who was distinguished with the Faculty Recognition Award for his outstanding project, “Luminal-Guided,” reflecting excellence and innovation during the MCCR Workshop.
Cédric Pobel is a medical oncologist at Gustave Roussy, where he works within both the genito-urinary cancers team and the early clinical trials unit (DITEP). In addition to his medical training, he holds a Master’s degree and a PhD in cancer science, with his doctoral research focusing on an ancillary study of the PEACE-1 trial for patients with prostate cancer. His main interests lie in clinical and translational research in prostate and urothelial cancers.
Supporting Early-Career Researchers to Advance Cancer Innovation
Supporting education and training for early-career investigators is essential to the mission of CCE and to shaping the future of cancer research and treatment. By equipping the next generation of researchers with cutting-edge knowledge, critical thinking skills, and hands-on experience in clinical research, CCE fosters innovation and ensures continuity in scientific excellence. Empowering young investigators not only accelerates their professional development but also enriches the entire cancer research ecosystem, driving progress toward more effective, personalized, and patient-centered care. Investing in their growth today lays the foundation for tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
