The IFCT is an independent, non-profit academic research intergroup specializing in thoracic oncology.
Its objective is to improve survival and quality of life for thoracic cancer patients.
Established in 1999, the IFCT consolidates medical and scientific expertise in thoracic oncology, giving it the unique capacity to recruit patients for all phases of cancer treatment evaluation. The IFCT has its own operational infrastructure and is equipped to design, promote, and carry out clinical studies in France and internationally, and to communicate the findings thus obtained.The IFCT is a major player in clinical oncology research, with thousands of patients enrolled in investigations since its establishment, and findings published in the most highly recognized medical journals (Lancet, JCO, etc.). The IFCT’s activity regularly results in the introduction of new drugs or strategies that improve the efficacy, safety, and/or economic impact of anti-cancer therapies. This in turn leads to better patient management. The IFCT also got involved since decade to develop the translational research) by associating systematically one or several studies with every clinical trial.
IFCT missions
Created in 1999, IFCT is a multidisciplinary group of experts sponsoring clinical research to improve the survival and quality of life of patients with lung cancer.
IFCT is a non-profit association and is therefore strongly committed to conducting independent studies. The main goals of the association are:
- To facilitate the development of clinical and translational research in Thoracic Oncology
- To provide lifelong learning for oncology professionals and share information on Thoracic Oncology
- To foster epidemiologic research and prevention studies
- To promote the evaluation of clinical practice in Thoracic Oncology
IFCT projects are coordinated by a Clinical Research Unit accredited by the National Cancer Institute (INCa) and the National League Against Cancer.
A technology platform enables experts to perform translational research (immunohistochemistry staining automates, slides scanner and multiheads microscope).
IFCT research activity
IFCT is involved in several types of clinical trials that evaluate new active treatments, different combinations of existing treatments or new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy.
Click here for more information about clinical trials currently performed by IFCT
IFCT studies are presented in greatest international congresses, e.g. ASCO and ESMO, and also published in the leading peer-reviewed oncology journals (Lancet, Journal of Clinical Oncology,…).
Click here for more information about IFCT publications
Funding
IFCT is strongly committed to conducting independent studies. IFCT scientific activities are funded by contributions, donations, and support of various sources of public and industrial funds. Protocols and research programmes are supported by contracts with institutional or industrial partners. The accounts are monitored by a chartered accountant and annually subjected to the approval of the general assembly, after being audited by the statutory auditor.
Organisation
The association is managed by a Board of Directors made up of 11members elected by the general assembly from among the members of the association. The Board of Directors nominates a Scientific Committee that is responsible for elaborating and managing scientific projects. This committee takes advice from the working groups. IFCT clinical trials can be the result of an internal suggestion or emanate from an outside proposal. The relevance of the project is analyzed by the Scientific Committee. The decision whether or not to conduct a trial is entrusted to the Board of Directors.
Members of the Scientific Committee are selected based on their scientific competence and expertise. Each member of the Scientific Committee must provide an annual declaration of any direct or indirect interests they have in the pharmaceutical industry (e.g. membership of an Advisory board).