CTIC Leads Colombia’s Health Research in Cancer Studies

The Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo Cancer Treatment and Research Center (CTIC) in Bogotá, Colombia, has emerged as a national leader in health research, according to the latest Nature Index rankings, due to its extensive work in oncology and related scientific studies.

CTIC, a non-profit foundation established through a philanthropic initiative by Mr. Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo and his family, focuses on comprehensive cancer care and research for Colombia and the broader region. The institution integrates clinical treatment with scientific investigation to advance oncology care.

The center has launched significant clinical research initiatives, including Colombia’s first Phase 1 cancer trial, which evaluates the investigational drug CC-486 (Aza Oral, Onureg®) in patients with moderate to severe liver conditions. This trial marks a milestone in the country’s capacity to conduct early-phase oncology research.

CTIC maintains an active research portfolio, with 15 externally sponsored projects currently open, 11 of which are actively recruiting participants. The institution anticipates expanding to between 18 and 20 open projects by mid-next year, reflecting growing engagement in clinical investigation.

In parallel, CTIC is advancing institutional research through over 40 open studies, including the “Eva” project — a real-world evidence platform designed to verify and analyze patient data. The Eva initiative has enrolled more than 3,000 patients and captures over 47,000 variables across 14 active data columns, with more than 75% of cases documented in semi-structured format.

The Eva project also collects biological samples, including fluids and paraffin-embedded tissues, supporting the center’s institutional biobank and tumor genomics laboratory. These efforts enable integrated analysis of clinical, molecular, and pathological data to deepen understanding of cancer progression and treatment response.

Research conducted at CTIC has demonstrated economic benefits for the Colombian healthcare system, particularly through sponsored clinical trials that cover treatment expenses for patients. A real-world evidence study using data from CTIC found that such trials generate significant cost savings by reducing financial burdens on public health resources while advancing medical knowledge.

Colombia faces substantial challenges in cancer research and early detection, with approximately 138,000 people affected by the disease annually and 33,100 deaths attributed to cancer each year. CTIC’s work addresses these challenges through structured research programs, data infrastructure, and collaboration with academic and industry partners.

The institution collaborates with organizations such as El Bosque University and pharmaceutical partners including Roche Colombia to strengthen its research capacity. These alliances support data analysis, genomics, and clinical trial execution, enhancing the scientific rigor and reach of CTIC’s investigations.

Through its combination of clinical care, clinical trials, institutional research, and biobanking initiatives, CTIC contributes to building national capacity in oncology research. Its recognition in the Nature Index underscores its growing role in generating high-impact scientific output within Colombia’s health research landscape.