#Italy #Rome #Cancer Trials #START Center #Istituti Fisioterapici

START Center Expands into Italy

The START Center for Cancer Research, known globally for its dedication to early-phase oncology clinical trials, has announced an exciting new partnership in Italy aimed at enhancing cancer clinical trial opportunities. As of November 3, 2026, START has aligned forces with the Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), a prominent public research hospital organization based in Rome. This collaboration will see the establishment of an early-phase clinical trial site within the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, marking a significant milestone for both institutions.

A Strategic Move in Oncology

The new site at the IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena is set to improve accessibility to clinical trials for patients throughout Rome, the Lazio region, and the entirety of Italy. This partnership comes in response to Italy's notable cancer incidence, with approximately 390,000 new cases reported annually, according to the latest figures. The collaboration aims not only to broaden research opportunities but also to integrate these trials more seamlessly with existing oncology care for patients.

Bridging Clinical Care and Research

Italy has been recognized for having a rich history in cancer care, yet it trails behind other major Western European countries in the number of clinical trials relative to its population. This partnership between START and IFO seeks to address this gap by bringing extensive research activities into established cancer care settings. By doing so, they intend to provide greater access for patients to novel cancer therapies through clinical trials, thereby enhancing the continuum of care available.

“Despite having world-class institutions and a substantial cancer burden, Italy's clinical trial landscape is underutilized,” said Nick Slack, MBE, Chairman and CEO of START. He emphasized the importance of connecting innovative research closely with patient needs, stating, “by partnering with IFO and the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, we can bring early-phase oncology research closer to patients across Italy.”

Enhancing Patient Options

The integration of the new clinical trial site into START's existing network will offer more options to patients, their families, and medical professionals in terms of participating in clinical research. Currently, START operates the largest global network of early-phase clinical trial sites, with more than 45 principal investigators across 17 locations in the U.S. and Europe, conducting nearly 1,000 active studies.

Regina Elena’s commitment to patient care, biomedical research, and education places it at the forefront of cancer treatment in Italy. It boasts multidisciplinary expertise across a range of cancers, thereby reinforcing the potential for collaboration with START's established research initiatives.

Looking Forward

The partnership is poised to create a synergistic effect that combines IFO’s clinical and translational research capabilities with START's expertise in conducting early-phase oncology trials. Giovanni Blandino, Scientific Director at Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena, remarked, “we see this partnership as an opportunity to connect more patients with early-phase clinical research while strengthening the integration of care and innovation.”

With the new site now fully integrated into the START network, it will have immediate access to a vast global trial portfolio from day one. This is a promising development for patients in Italy, who will now have enhanced access to cutting-edge therapies and clinical trials that were previously limited.

Conclusion

The partnership not only marks the expansion of START's influence in Europe but also serves as a significant step forward in advancing cancer care through innovation-driven research. As START continues to provide hope to patients worldwide through access to pioneering treatments, its collaboration with Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri exemplifies the kind of transformative alliances that can change the face of cancer treatment in Italy and beyond.