Austrian Comprehensive Cancer Network (ACCN)

Joint Research Initiative: Bavaria and Austria Investigate Innovative Bladder Cancer Treatments for the First Time

(Munich/Vienna/Graz/Innsbruck, January 7, 2026) - The Austrian Comprehensive Cancer Network (ACCN), comprising the Medical Universities of Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck, and the Bavarian Center for Cancer Research (BZKF) with the six Bavarian university hospitals, are launching a joint study to investigate new therapies for urothelial carcinoma, an aggressive form of bladder cancer. The research project is examining specific biological markers (biomarkers) to accelerate the translation of research into patient care. To this end, both existing data and new information from current studies will be utilized.

The treatment of muscle-invasive and metastatic urothelial carcinoma has changed dramatically in recent years. This relatively common disease continues to take a heavy toll on those affected and is associated with a high risk of death. The goal of this project is to gain a much better understanding of why certain bladder cancer patients do not respond fully to modern chemotherapy and immunotherapy—and which therapeutic alternatives would be more suitable for patients with poor response. To this end, the study will investigate which therapy-resistant tumor groups exhibit specific surface characteristics that can serve as targets for so-called modern antibody-drug conjugates. These targeted drugs deliver their active ingredient specifically to cancer cells and can therefore be significantly more effective than conventional chemotherapies.

The treatment of muscle-invasive and metastatic urothelial carcinoma has changed dramatically in recent years. This relatively common disease continues to take a heavy toll on those affected and is associated with a high risk of death. The goal of this project is to gain a much better understanding of why certain bladder cancer patients do not respond fully to modern chemotherapy and immunotherapy—and which therapeutic alternatives would be more suitable for patients with poor response. To this end, the study will investigate which therapy-resistant tumor groups exhibit specific surface characteristics that can serve as targets for so-called modern antibody-drug conjugates. These targeted drugs deliver their active ingredient specifically to cancer cells and can therefore be significantly more effective than conventional chemotherapies.

Shahrokh Shariat, Head of the Department of Urology and the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) at MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital (AKH), as well as spokesperson for the ACCN, emphasizes: “The one-year funding phase serves as crucial seed funding for future joint project proposals in the European Union. With this project, BZKF and ACCN are sending a strong signal for European collaboration in cutting-edge research—with the clear goal of providing patients with aggressive urinary tract cancer with better and more personalized treatment options.”

Austrian Comprehensive Cancer Network (ACCN)
The Austrian Comprehensive Cancer Network (ACCN) pools the resources and expertise of the three Austrian Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCC) in Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck to jointly develop innovative treatment approaches and research findings for cancer patients. The ACCN’s goal is to further improve prevention and cutting-edge medical care in oncology by connecting local structures and to make optimal use of the synergies among the three locations to fight cancer together. 

Bavarian Center for Cancer Research (BZKF)
The Bavarian Center for Cancer Research (BZKF) aims to provide all residents of Bavaria, regardless of where they live, with access to the best possible and most innovative treatments. By bringing together the six Bavarian university hospitals and universities in Augsburg, Erlangen, the two locations in Munich, Regensburg, and Würzburg, the initiative not only advances cancer research but also pools expertise and knowledge on early detection, treatment, and follow-up care for cancer, while simultaneously offering comprehensive and interdisciplinary care to those affected. The BZKF’s BürgerTelefonKrebs offers a straightforward way to receive personalized advice on all questions regarding cancer via the toll-free number +49 (0)800 85 100 80.  

 

Austrian Comprehensive Cancer Network (ACCN) und Bayerisches Zentrum für Krebsforschung (BZKF) vertiefen Kooperation in der Krebsforschung

(Munich/Vienna/Innsbruck/Graz, October 13, 2025) – A delegation from the Austrian Comprehensive Cancer Network (ACCN) visited the Bayerische Zentrum für Krebsforschung (BZKF) in Erlangen on October 9 and 10, 2025, to explore joint opportunities in oncology.

The focus was on concrete steps to strengthen scientific cooperation between Austria and Bavaria. Representatives of the ACCN—comprising the Medical Universities of Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck—discussed strategies for joint EU grant applications, synergies in clinical trial infrastructure, and best-practice models for research funding and data management with partners from the BZKF.

Working groups have already developed initial proposals for bilateral research projects, particularly in the areas of translational studies and the use of clinical data. Discussions at the Translational Research Center (TRC) in Erlangen underscored a shared understanding of the importance of networked cancer research as a prerequisite for innovation and the reliability of care.

The partnership between ACCN and BZKF was officially launched in July 2025 as part of BZKF’s fifth-anniversary celebrations. The goal is to establish a cross-border alliance that strengthens excellence in cancer research and care across national borders. The agreement was signed in the presence of representatives from both countries, including Bavarian Minister of State for Science and the Arts Markus Blume and Michaela Fritz, Vice Rector for Research at the Medical University of Vienna.

Gemeinsam gegen Krebs: Austrian Comprehensive Cancer Network und Bayerisches Zentrum für Krebsforschung starten Kooperation

(Munich/Vienna/Graz/Innsbruck, July 21, 2025) – The cooperation agreement signed in Munich between the Bavarian Center for Cancer Research (BZFK) and the Austrian Comprehensive Cancer Network (ACCN) of the Medical Universities of Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck is strategically anchored in the EU’s mission to combat cancer. The agreement marks the beginning of one of the first transnational partnerships between cancer centers in Europe. Its goal is to further improve the lives of cancer patients by promoting cancer research and optimizing the healthcare landscape. The ministries of science and health of Austria and Bavaria support this initiative.

The signing took place in the presence of high-ranking representatives of the Bavarian state government, representatives of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Women, Science, and Research, and representatives from the Comprehensive Cancer Centers and the rectorates of the three Austrian medical universities. The event was held as part of the BZKF’s fifth-anniversary celebration; with its six university cancer centers, the BZKF serves more than 13 million people.

The collaboration between the ACCN and the BZKF is one of the first transnational partnerships between leading oncology centers in Europe and is explicitly aligned with the goals of the EU’s Mission Cancer. The aim of this collaboration is to establish a regional hub of excellence in oncology in the heart of Europe to promote joint clinical trials, translational research, digital innovation, training, and prevention. The intention is to create transnational networks—networks that benefit every citizen, from prevention to cancer treatment.

“Research, medical care, and progress must not stop at national borders. “Through the partnership between the ACCN and the BZKF, we are sending a strong European signal in the fight against cancer—mission-driven, patient-centered, and forward-looking. Because only by working together across all borders can we overcome the major health challenges of our time,” emphasizes Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Austria’s Federal Minister for Women, Science, and Research.”

Commenting on the new partnership between the BZKF and the ACCN, Bavaria’s Minister of State for Science and the Arts, Markus Blume, said: “Modern cancer medicine requires data, digitalization, and dialogue. Cancer does not stop at national borders—and neither does our research: With the partnership between the Bavarian Center for Cancer Research and the Austrian Comprehensive Cancer Network, we are ushering in a new era of Bavarian-Austrian research collaboration. For us, one thing is clear: Together, we can overcome the major medical challenges of our time.”

ACCN: Austria’s National Response to the EU Mission Cancer
The Austrian Comprehensive Cancer Network (ACCN) brings together the three university-based Comprehensive Cancer Centers in Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck to form a national alliance for excellence in oncology. As the official Austrian partner of the EU Mission Against Cancer, the ACCN aims to establish precision medicine care, early-phase clinical trials, joint tumor boards, and national education programs—in close coordination with ministries, European partner networks, and patients and their families.

BZKF: Five Years of Impactful Cancer Research in Bavaria
The Bavarian Center for Cancer Research (BZKF) was founded in 2019 with the goal of providing all citizens in Bavaria with access to the best possible, most up-to-date, and innovative cancer treatments—regardless of where they live. With its six university cancer centers in Munich (LMU and TUM), Erlangen, Würzburg, Regensburg, and Augsburg, it brings together research, clinical innovation, and quality of care for over 13 million people.

Europe United Against Cancer
This new partnership demonstrates how regional collaboration can contribute to the implementation of global strategies such as Mission Cancer. The core areas of the partnership include:

• Joint clinical trials—particularly in early-stage and precision oncology
• Networked tumor boards and biomedical infrastructures
• Training programs for oncology professionals and early-career researchers
• Joint projects in the areas of digitalization, follow-up care, prevention, and patient engagement
• Coordination of cross-border funding projects at the EU level

 

The Austrian Comprehensive Cancer Network (ACCN) pools the resources and expertise of the three Austrian CCCs in Graz, Vienna and Innsbruck in order to jointly develop innovative treatment approaches and research results for cancer patients. The aim of the ACCN is to further improve prevention and cutting-edge medicine in oncology through the networking of local structures and to make optimum use of synergies between the three locations in order to fight cancer together.

After a welcome by the three CCC directors and an overview of the ACCN, the high-level, interdisciplinary working groups focused on four common and two rare tumor diseases: Prostate, Colon, Lung and Breast Carcinoma as well as Pediatric CNS Tumors and Musculoskeletal Tumors - Sarcomas were on the agenda. In the afternoon, the Tissue and Blood Biobank, young ACCN and Precision Medicine working groups were reorganized. The cancer experts engaged in intensive discussions and developed concrete projects to be implemented together in the next step, as well as the form of further collaboration in the project groups.

Concrete projects for EU Mission Cancer

"We are delighted with the high level of commitment, the highly professional and constructive collaboration and the diversity of the projects developed," say CCC heads Shariat, Wolf and Jost. "The first ACCN Project Meeting showed how enriching and valuable it is to work together even more closely and in a more structured way beyond the boundaries of one's own organization, especially when it comes to cancer research, medicine and care." Challenges such as data protection and the different regional circumstances in the city of Vienna on the one hand and in rural areas on the other were also discussed. By founding the ACCN, the three CCCs have already fulfilled an important task that the EU Mission Cancer envisages by 2030: Close cross-center collaboration between the country's Comprehensive Cancer Centers. The project groups will submit their projects to national and EU-wide funding bodies for implementation.

After the impressive presentation of all the resulting projects at the end of the day, the networking continued at the get-together in the old AKH. The participants drew a positive conclusion from the productive day and emphasized the great benefit for the further development of cancer therapies through collaboration and learning from each other. Further CCC-wide working meetings are already being planned.