(Vienna, 6 October 2026) Patients with cancer may, at some point during their illness, wonder whether they can or would like to take part in a clinical trial. The Cancer School CCC Vienna is therefore placing this topic at the centre of the new academic year. The programme begins on 13 October 2026 at 5.00 pm in the Lecture Hall Center of MedUni Vienna at University Hospital Vienna (AKH). The aim is to empower patients and their families through information and education, to help them learn more about the disease and treatments, and to facilitate easy access to experts. The programme was developed for the first time in close collaboration with those affected; the Alliance of Oncology Patient Organisations was closely involved in the planning from the outset. Programme and registration: www.cancerschool.at
What do clinical trials mean for medical progress? How can I take part in a clinical trial? How is my safety ensured? What are the relevant European regulatory frameworks, and what role does the Ethics Committee play in approving a clinical trial? Experts will answer the most frequently asked questions about clinical trials as part of the Cancer School on 13 October. The speakers are Stefan Strasser, Head of the Clinical Trials Department at the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES); Martin Brunner, Chair of the Ethics Committee at the Medical University of Vienna; and Markus Zeitlinger, Head of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Head of the new clinical trials centre, which opened in early October at the new Center for Translational Medicine (CTM) at MedUni Vienna. People affected by the condition will also share their experiences of taking part in a clinical trial.
Programme developed with patient experts
“I am particularly pleased that, by closely involving those affected in the planning and during the lecture evenings, we have created a programme with those affected and not just for them. This enables us to take the needs of patients and their perspective into account even more effectively,” emphasises Gabriela Kornek, Medical Director of University Hospital Vienna (AKH) and a member of the Cancer School’s management team. Claudia Schauflinger, a member of the board of the Alliance of Oncology Patient Organisations and a cancer survivor, adds: “As a patient representative, I am delighted to be able to bring the concerns of those affected to the Cancer School. The programme offers clearly presented, high-quality information from specialist experts, providing patients with vital support in better understanding their condition and treatment.” Claudia Schauflinger will co-host the Cancer School evening event “The treatment is working – how do I cope with everyday life whilst dealing with side effects, changes and after-effects?” on 2 March 2027.
Hereditary cancer: What tests are available, and how do you live with a predisposition?
When is cancer hereditary? And what tests are available? – At the Cancer School evening on 6 April 2027, Mateja Pfeifer from the Institute of Medical Genetics at MedUni Vienna (headed by Markus Hengstschläger) and Harald Esterbauer, Head of the Genetics Laboratory at University Hospital Vienna (AKH), will answer questions about cancer genetics. How does one live with a genetic predisposition, and what specific preventive measures should be taken? – This will be the focus on 29 April 2027. Those affected will share their experiences, and experts on BRCA mutations, Lynch syndrome and hereditary urological cancers will speak.
CAR-T cell production: guided tour and talks
The free series of events concludes with an evening featuring a guided tour and talks on the new CAR-T cell production facility, led by Antonia Müller from the Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy at University Hospital Vienna (AKH) and MedUni Vienna, in the new CTM, on the topic: ‘CAR-T cells and other cell therapies: how they are produced and what they can do.’ The event will take place prior to the facility’s commissioning in spring 2027 and the date will be announced in due course. As places are limited, registration is essential.
Registration and a detailed programme are available at www.cancerschool.at