The François Baclesse Cancer Center publishes its 2023 activity report. The report highlights significant growth in the number of treatments, with many innovations.
Three events marked the year
Change of direction
Arrival of a new General Management team: The General Management team has undergone a major change with the appointment of Prof. Roman ROUZIER as General Manager, and Michael CANOVAS as Deputy General Manager.
A work of art to celebrate half a century on its premises
50 years and a fresco: to mark its 50th anniversary, the building has been given a monumental fresco by graffiti artist SoLiCe. (NB: in 2025, the Centre Baclesse will celebrate its 100th anniversary).
Awards and scientific recognition for two researchers
Recognized scientific excellence: two of the Centre's researchers have been awarded prestigious prizes: the Ruban rose research prize for Pr Florence JOLY and the Ruban rose quality of life prize for Virginie PREVOST.
A stronger commitment to patient support and medical innovation
The Baclesse Center continues to develop in several key areas, focusing on improving the patient experience, medical innovation, and cutting-edge research.
"We have set our course: to improve care while stabilizing the economic model, leveraging regional cooperation, quality and continuity of care, medical excellence, cutting-edge research, participatory management, and the involvement of all departments. The results of our activities are already evident and demonstrate our collective dynamism. The outlook is very promising," explains Prof. Roman ROUZIER, Chief Executive Officer.
Guided by its core values (Humanism, Innovation, Excellence, and Solidarity), the Baclesse team is mobilizing to tackle the many challenges in oncology. Shared efficiency, diagnostic culture, dialogue, agility, and transparent and rigorous financial management are the pillars of our action. Concrete actions have already been implemented, in line with our new strategic plan, which is structured around three key shifts: the shift to outpatient care, the shift to digital health, and the shift to eco-responsibility,"says Michael CANOVAS, Deputy CEO.
Medical innovation and personalized support
The Center has introduced a new personalized care pathway for sarcoma patients, complementing the existing breast, upper aerodigestive tract (ENT), neuro-oncology (brain tumors), thorax and urodigestive-gyneco pathways.
It was the first cancer center in France to introduce remote patient monitoring via an application.
In order to keep pace with the restructuring of the healthcare offer and new treatment modalities, the Center has opened an ambulatory medicine center (CEMAB) and expanded its support care services.
The Centre Baclesse in 2023 means:
- A 10% increase in surgical activity, with a focus on less invasive and more anticipatory techniques to improve patients' quality of life,
- An increase in innovative treatments in nuclear medicine, interventional radiology and external radiotherapy,
- The acquisition of the Dyn'R, a blocked inspiration device for the treatment of mobile tumors, all major innovations that marked the year.
The Centre Baclesse has positioned itself as a reference center in the fight against cancer, offering patients personalized care, innovative treatments and a cutting-edge research environment.
Cutting-edge research serving medical innovation
The Centre Baclesse stands out for its dynamism in research, with major advances in fundamental, clinical and translational research.
Fundamental research
- Identification of new molecules of potential therapeutic interest.
- Development of new vectored internal radiotherapy projects.
- Using artificial intelligence to improve medical imaging performance. The creation of a dedicated AI pole, the acquisition of a powerful computing station and the launch of several innovative research projects have enabled the Center to position itself as a leader in the use of AI to improve the quality of care and the efficiency of medical research.
- Better understanding of tumor resistance mechanisms and the interactions between tumor cells and their environment.
- Identification of potential new therapeutic targets.
- Development of suitable models to study new therapies.
Clinical research
- More than 600 patients included in phase 1 or 2 clinical trials.
- Evaluation of new treatments, supportive care and patient quality of life.
Scientific publications
- 200 publications, nearly half of them in high-impact journals.
Teaching
- Investment in innovative teaching tools to enhance student learning.
The Centre Baclesse confirms its status as a leading research center, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and the improvement of cancer treatments.
"I am very proud of the achievements of the François Baclesse Center in 2023. Our teams have done a remarkable job, and we will continue to make progress in the years to come, always keeping in mind our values of humanism, innovation, the pursuit of excellence, and solidarity," said Prof. Roman ROUZIER, Director General of the François Baclesse Center, on the occasion of the publication of this 2023 activity report.
