Professor Rolf A. Stahel: ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award Winner 2025

Professor Rolf A. Stahel, M.D., is one of the most influential figures in modern oncology. With a legacy spanning over four decades, he has transformed the field of lung cancer care through groundbreaking research, data-driven collaborations, and a deep commitment to multidisciplinary medicine. Based at the University Hospital Zurich, where he serves as Chief Physician and Director of the Lung and Thoracic Oncology Center, Stahel has not only led world-class clinical research but has also mentored generations of oncologists across Europe and beyond.

In 2025, the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) recognized Stahel’s outstanding career by naming him the recipient of the ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award, which is one of the most prestigious honors in cancer medicine.

Rolf A. Stahel: From Zurich Roots to Global Oncology Leadership

Born and educated in Switzerland, Rolf A. Stahel, completed his medical degree at the University of Zurich, where he began developing an interest in molecular biology and cancer biology. His early fascination with the mechanisms of DNA repair, long before they were mainstream in cancer treatment, set the tone for a career grounded in scientific curiosity. Stahel completed specialist training in internal medicine and medical oncology before pursuing postdoctoral studies at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. It was there that he deepened his understanding of translational research and how the bench could inform the bedside.

Those formative years shaped his lifelong approach: science must serve patients, and collaboration across disciplines is essential. Returning to Switzerland, Stahel began to build what would become one of Europe’s most respected thoracic oncology programs. He eventually rose to lead several national and international initiatives in lung cancer research.

Stahel once shared that it was a single lecture on DNA and cancer during his student years that made him choose oncology as his path. During his time in New York, he kept all his subway tickets as a symbolic reminder of

“the long road between lab research and clinical impact”,

a habit that reflected his thoughtful and symbolic nature.

A Career Defined by Innovation and Leadership

Rolf A. Stahel is perhaps best known for his pioneering role in establishing Lungscape, a collaborative registry project under the European Thoracic Oncology Platform (ETOP), which he helped co-found. Lungscape serves as a vast databank of clinical, pathology, and molecular data from patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) across Europe. This platform allows researchers to accelerate discovery by identifying rare subgroups and testing biomarker-driven therapies in real-world conditions.

In addition to his role at the University Hospital Zurich, Stahel is currently the President of the ETOP-IBCSG Partners Foundation and Vice-President of the International Cancer Foundation. Throughout his career, he has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed papers, many of which have influenced international guidelines and treatment algorithms for thoracic malignancies. His research has addressed topics such as EGFR-mutant resistance, mesothelioma biomarkers, and multimodal treatment strategies for early-stage NSCLC.

What distinguishes Stahel’s work is not only its scientific rigor, but its focus on bringing multidisciplinary teams together, unifying oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, and data scientists in a shared mission to improve patient care.

Deep Roots in Research: A Lifelong Passion

Research has always been at the heart of Rolf A. Stahel’s work. His interests lie at the intersection of molecular oncology, biomarker discovery, and translational lung cancer therapeutics. His early work explored drug resistance mechanisms in NSCLC, long before precision medicine became a mainstream concept. Over the years, Stahel has authored and co-authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, many of which are now considered foundational in thoracic oncology.

His research focuses include:

• EGFR mutations and targeted resistance mechanisms in NSCLC

• Liquid biopsy applications and non-invasive molecular diagnostics

• Biomarkers in malignant pleural mesothelioma

• Real-world evidence as a tool to validate trial findings in clinical practice

• Multimodal care in early-stage lung cancer, especially the integration of systemic and local therapies

Stahel approaches research not as an isolated academic pursuit but as a continuous feedback loop between science and the clinic. He has spoken frequently about the need for research that is both rigorous and directly relevant to patient care.

Selected Publications

Below are several selected peer-reviewed studies authored or co-authored by Professor Rolf A. Stahel, reflecting the breadth and depth of his research impact:

1. Schmid S, Dimopoulou G, van Schil P, et al. ETOP 25‑23 ADOPT‑lung: Adjuvant durvalumab after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in resectable NSCLC. Lung Cancer. 2025;206:108635. doi:10.1016/j.lungcan.2025.108635.
2. Felip E, Popat S, Dafni U, Ribi K, Pope A,  Stahel R et al.; ETOP 13-18 BEAT-meso Collaborators. A randomised phase III study of bevacizumab and carboplatin-pemetrexed chemotherapy with or without atezolizumab as first-line treatment for advanced pleural mesothelioma: results of the ETOP 13-18 BEAT-meso trial. Ann Oncol. 2025 May;36(5):548-560. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2024.12.014. Epub 2025 Jan 13. PMID: 39814199.
3. Papachristofilou, A., Niyazi, M., Bouchaab, H., Perneger, T., Banna, G., Früh, M., … & Andratschke, N. (2024). Immunotherapy or targeted therapy with or without stereotactic radiosurgery for patients with brain metastases from melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer – The ETOP 19-21 USZ-STRIKE study. Lung Cancer, 195, 107325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107325
4. Meyer, M.-L., Peters, S.,  … Stahel R. et al. (2025). Lung cancer research and treatment: Global perspectives and strategic calls to action. Lung Cancer, 194, 107350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107350
5. Peters S, Loi S, André F, Chandarlapaty S, Felip E, Finn SP, … Stahel RA, et al. Antibody-drug conjugates in lung and breast cancer: current evidence and future directions-a position statement from the ETOP IBCSG Partners Foundation. Ann Oncol. 2024 Jul;35(7):607-629. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2024.04.002. Epub 2024 Apr 20. PMID: 38648979.

Honoring a Lifetime of Excellence: The 2025 ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award

In recognition of his transformative contributions to oncology, ESMO announced Prof. Rolf A. Stahel as the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. This award, presented annually at the ESMO Congress Opening Ceremony, honors individuals whose work has profoundly shaped the field of medical oncology.

Rolf A. Stahel joins a distinguished group of past recipients, including Professor Paul Bunn for his impact on lung cancer therapies, Professor José Baselga for innovations in breast cancer, and Professor David Kerr for advancements in colorectal cancer care. His addition to this cohort acknowledges not only his scientific contributions but his unique ability to lead international collaborations, build data-sharing platforms, and integrate molecular precision with holistic patient care.

What Is the ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award?

The ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the most prestigious honours conferred by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). Established in 2006, it recognizes individuals or international research teams with an enduring and exceptional impact on cancer research, clinical care, and education in oncology.

Meet last year’s recipient, John Haanen – Oncodaily

Building the Future of Oncology, One Collaboration at a Time

Rolf A. Stahel’s leadership style has always emphasized connection over hierarchy. His mentorship has empowered hundreds of early-career oncologists, many of whom now lead cancer centers across Europe. Known for his calm demeanor and sharp intellect, he challenges those around him to ask better questions and remain focused on the patient behind every protocol. Even amid the rise of artificial intelligence and complex clinical trial design, Stahel has remained grounded in the human side of oncology.

His commitment to evidence-based care, coupled with a genuine curiosity for emerging science, has made him a trusted figure across both academic and clinical spheres. As lung cancer treatment evolves with new immunotherapies, liquid biopsies, and molecular targets, the foundations laid by Rolf A. Stahel’s decades of work remain more relevant than ever.

Read the announcement on the official ESMO page here.

Written by Sergey Badalyan, MD