Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41647971›Full record

ArticleESMO gastrointestinal oncology2025

Research training, barriers, and career development needs of early-career investigators in oncology: an EORTC survey-based study.

A Cammarota, A R Siebenhüner, C Olungu, P Szturz, D C Güven, A Puccini, J P Silva, E C Smyth, F Sclafani, H Van Laarhoven

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in ESMO gastrointestinal oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

A CammarotaHepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
A R SiebenhünerGastrointestinal Tract Cancer Group (GITCG), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Brussels, Belgium.
C OlunguEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Brussels, Belgium.
P SzturzDepartment of Oncology, University of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
D C GüvenDepartment of Medical Oncology, Elazig Fethi Sekin City Hospital, Elazig, Turkey.
A PucciniDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy.
J P SilvaEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Brussels, Belgium.
E C SmythGastrointestinal Tract Cancer Group (GITCG), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Brussels, Belgium.
F SclafaniGastrointestinal Tract Cancer Group (GITCG), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Brussels, Belgium.
H Van LaarhovenGastrointestinal Tract Cancer Group (GITCG), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Brussels, Belgium.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: The increasing complexity of cancer research presents significant challenges for early-career oncologists in establishing independent research careers. Although dedicated support platforms have emerged in recent years, a thorough evaluation of the research training needs and barriers faced by the current generation of trainees and early-career oncologists has been lacking. This study aimed to assess the research backgrounds, needs, and career aspirations of early-career researchers in oncology. Methods: An online survey was distributed between September and October 2024 among young and early-career investigator (Y-ECI) members of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and other professionals meeting the EORTC Y-ECI criteria. The questionnaire collected information on research experience, challenges, and expectations from the newly launched EORTC Y-ECI community. Results: Among 301 respondents, 200 (66.7%) met Y-ECI criteria and participated in the survey. Most were female (62.4%), aged 31-35 years (38.7%), medical oncologists (69.6%), and working in academic settings (58.8%). While 73.7% had published research, 75.8% reported challenges in conducting and publishing their work. The main barriers included lack of protected research time (77.0%), limited funding (48.2%), and insufficient grant application support (47.1%). Female researchers were seven times more likely to report gender-related barriers (odds ratio 7.14, 95% confidence interval 1.14-79.22). Most (84.3%) expressed interest in joining the EORTC Y-ECIs community, with research training, mentorship, and funding opportunities rated as the most valuable initiatives. Conclusions: This study provides comprehensive insights into the research needs of early-career oncologists and supports the EORTC investment in structured training programmes to cultivate a strong, next-generation research workforce.

Indexed as

career developmentearly-career researchersgastrointestinal oncologymedical educationresearch barriersresearch training

Identifiers

PMID41647971
PMCPMC12836613

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.