Vitaz

The Oncology department at Vitaz in Sint-Niklaas is active across a broad range of cancer studies, with a strong focus on neoplasms, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and ovarian cancer. These trials are designed to test new treatment options, compare them with current standards, and improve outcomes for people with difficult-to-treat or recurrent disease.

• Studies in breast cancer, including early and metastatic disease, are evaluating ways to improve survival and reduce recurrence.
• Non-small cell lung cancer and small-cell lung cancer research is exploring new immunotherapy and targeted treatment approaches.
• Trials in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma are assessing whether new combinations can strengthen treatment effectiveness.
• Ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer studies are focused on better maintenance strategies and longer disease control.

This research portfolio reflects a wide effort to advance cancer care through more effective, personalized, and better-tolerated therapies.

A significant part of the clinical trial activity at Vitaz involves digestive system diseases and immune system diseases, especially Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These studies aim to improve symptom control, support bowel healing, and reduce relapse after treatment.

• Trials in Crohn's disease are examining whether treatment goals can be improved by targeting deeper healing of the bowel wall.
• Ulcerative colitis research is exploring better long-term disease control with immune-based therapies.
• Some studies focus on inflammatory bowel disease after surgery, looking at ways to prevent recurrence.
• These projects are testing new therapies and treatment strategies for people with chronic intestinal inflammation.

The site’s work in immune-mediated disorders also includes approaches that may help refine treatment decisions for patients with persistent or relapsing disease.

Research in respiratory tract diseases at Vitaz is heavily centered on non-small cell lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer, and pleural mesothelioma. These trials are mainly evaluating new immunotherapy combinations, targeted treatments, and maintenance approaches to improve disease control and survival.

• Advanced lung cancer studies are testing therapies for tumors with specific molecular features such as KRAS, RET, and c-Met alterations.
• Pleural mesothelioma trials are focused on extending survival and improving treatment options for this aggressive cancer.
• Some studies examine whether adding immunotherapy can improve outcomes after initial treatment.
• The overall goal is to find more effective and personalized options for thoracic cancers.

This area represents one of the strongest oncology research themes at the Vitaz site.

The site also supports important studies in hemic and lymphatic diseases, including lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and other B-cell malignancies. These trials are designed to improve response rates, delay progression, and help patients whose disease has returned or no longer responds well to standard therapy.

• Follicular lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma studies are testing new immune-based and targeted treatment combinations.
• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma research is focused on improving outcomes in relapsed or resistant disease.
• Multiple myeloma trials are evaluating new combinations for patients with recurrent illness.
• These studies aim to expand treatment choices in difficult blood cancers.

The hematology portfolio at Vitaz reflects a clear interest in advancing care for both newly diagnosed and previously treated patients.

Clinical research in genitourinary cancers includes bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and urothelial carcinoma. These studies are looking at better ways to control localized and advanced disease, including options for patients who need alternatives to current standard treatments.

• High-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer studies are evaluating new intravesical and immune-based approaches.
• Prostate cancer research is examining biomarker-guided treatment strategies for advanced disease.
• Trials in urothelial carcinoma are focused on improving response and reducing the chance of recurrence.
• These efforts aim to make treatment more effective while preserving quality of life.

This area adds to the site’s broad cancer portfolio with research aimed at more tailored genitourinary oncology care.

A major research theme at Vitaz is the study of breast cancer and gynecologic cancers, including endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer. These trials are testing new treatment combinations and maintenance strategies to improve survival and reduce the risk of relapse.

• Breast cancer studies include both early-stage and metastatic disease, with attention to hormone receptor and HER2-related subtypes.
• Ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer trials are exploring ways to improve long-term disease control after initial treatment.
• Triple-negative breast cancer research is focused on harder-to-treat disease where new options are especially needed.
• These studies are intended to test new therapies and refine treatment selection.

The breadth of this work shows a strong commitment to advancing care for women’s cancers through modern oncology research.

Beyond cancer, Vitaz also contributes to trials in cardiovascular diseases and nutritional and metabolic diseases, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. These studies are evaluating whether new treatments can improve heart function, lower risk, and support better long-term disease management.

• Coronary artery disease research is focused on reducing major cardiovascular events.
• Heart failure trials are exploring therapies for both preserved and reduced ejection fraction.
• Type 2 diabetes and liver disease studies aim to improve metabolic health and prevent progression.
• These projects are designed to test treatment effectiveness in common chronic conditions.

This broader portfolio highlights the site’s involvement in internal medicine research alongside its oncology strengths.

The trial landscape at Vitaz also includes mental disorders and environment and public health topics, such as major depressive disorder. These studies are examining whether new approaches can better prevent relapse and support ongoing symptom control.

• Major depressive disorder trials are evaluating add-on treatments for patients who have responded to antidepressants.
• The goal is to improve durability of benefit and reduce return of depressive symptoms.
• These studies contribute to a wider understanding of treatment options in psychiatry.
• They reflect the site’s participation in research beyond oncology-focused care.

Together with its cancer and chronic disease studies, this work shows the site’s diverse clinical research activity in Belgium.