简介
Josep Tabernero holds MD and PhD degrees from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Spain. He is currently the Head of the Medical Oncology Department at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (HUVH) in Barcelona and the Director of the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) and Full Professor of Medicine at Universitat de Vic, Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC).
He is very actively involved in translational research and pharmacodynamic phase I studies with molecular targeted therapies. He is especially devoted to phase I and II studies with pharmacodynamic endpoints with novel agents directed to the membrane receptors, like the EGFR-family and IGF-1R, the PI3K and ERK signalling pathways, as well as downstream cytoplasmatic and intranucleous effectors like Mdm2/p53 and aurora kinase. Based on the idea that each tumor has an independent genetic identity, the group he is leading actively participates in the development of molecular therapies targeting specific oncoproteins, with the purpose of developing personalized therapies.
Dr Tabernero has built a distinguished career in oncology, focused on gastrointestinal (GI) tumours, where he has played a key role in translational research and early-phase clinical studies with molecular targeted therapies. His contributions, however, extend far beyond his speciality, having played a major role in advancing the broader field of precision cancer medicine.
Dr Tabernero currently serves as the director of the VHIO, Head of the Medical Oncology Service at Vall dHebron University Hospital (HUVH), and Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Vic (UVic-UCC).
Internationally recognized as one of Europe's and the worlds leading oncologists, Dr. Taberneros leadership has been instrumental in establishing VHIO as a leading Comprehensive Cancer Center, known for its cutting-edge research and development of novel cancer therapies.
SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS
1. Pioneered the development of therapies for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) with poor prognosis, particularly metastatic patients harboring a BRAF mutation (BRAFV600) who progressed to first-line EGFR inhibitors. Specifically, he co-led two practice-changing clinical study (BEACON and BREAKWATER studies) that established a new treatment combination as a new standard of care for these patients. N Engl J Med. 2019 doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1908075; N Engl J Med. 2015 doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1502309; J Clin Oncol. 2021 doi: 10.1200/JCO.20.02088; N Engl J Med. 2025 doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2501912
2. Played a leading role in establishing the Consensus Molecular Subtypes (CMS) as a robust and clinically relevant system to classify and guide treatment decisions for patients with metastatic CRC. Nat Rev Cancer. 2017 doi: 10.1038/nrc.2016.126; Nat Med. 2015 doi: 10.1038/nm.3967; Nat Med. 2024 doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-03235-9.
3. Conducted reference studies on liquid biopsy to identify molecular alterations in blood samples, focusing on prognosis and predictive signatures and longitudinal monitoring studies. Lancet Oncol. 2015 doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(15)00138-2.
STRATEGIC ROLES
4. Dr. Tabernero's career is marked by his leadership roles. He was President of the European Society for Medical Oncology (2018-2019, ESMO) and participates on multiple committees of ESMO, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
5. In 2020, he was appointed as member of the EU Assembly that counsels the Cancer Mission Board of The European Commission. His strategic engagement in research and public health policies at the European level promises to deliver a profound impact in the near future.
6. In 2024, Dr. Tabernero was appointed as a member of Board of Directors of the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI). Under OECI, Vall d'Hebron Campus was accredited in 2023 as Spains first Comprehensive Cancer Center.
PROJECTS & CONSORTIA
7. Dr. Tabernero has led and participated in multiple major European research projects. He coordinated the MoTriColor project (Horizon 2020) to develop more effective, molecularly guided therapies for mCRC.
8. He also led Work Package 2 in the 4.UNCAN.eu Coordination and Support Action, part of the EU Cancer Mission, focusing on identifying key challenges and setting priorities for future cancer research policy in Europe.
9. Since 2023, Dr. Tabernero serves as Chairman of Cancer Core Europe, a unique consortium of leading comprehensive cancer centers dedicated to bridging the gap between cancer research and clinical care through collaborative initiatives.
RECOGNITIONS
10. Dr. Tabernero has been distinguished as Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO) and Fellow of the European Society for Medical Oncology (FESMO). This recognition acknowledges members for their volunteer engagement, and commitment to ASCO. He has also been appointed as fellow of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
