In Memory of Dr. Esteban Cvitkovic: A Global Pioneer in Cancer Treatment

Dr. Esteban Cvitkovic passed away on June 20, 2025, in Paris at the age of 75. He was an esteemed physician, clinical researcher, and leader whose contributions left a lasting imprint on modern cancer care. Over the course of five decades, Dr. Cvitkovic helped shape the evolution of systemic anticancer therapies and advanced the principles of global collaboration in oncology.

A Career at the Crossroads of Innovation and Practice

Dr. Cvitkovic was born in Argentina in 1949 and began his medical training at an early age. He earned his MD at 19 and would later carry his work across continents , including Argentina, Italy, the United States, and France , where he contributed to both academic medicine and the pharmaceutical industry. His early research focused on chemotherapy development, particularly within the framework of platinum- and vinca alkaloid-based regimens.

He was notably affiliated with the Gustave Roussy Institute in Villejuif, France, one of Europe’s leading cancer centers. There, he played a significant role in advancing the clinical use of cisplatin and later oxaliplatin, contributing to the treatment of head and neck, lung, ovarian, and colorectal cancers. His clinical insight and translational expertise helped bridge the gap between laboratory findings and therapeutic applications.

Throughout his career, Dr. Cvitkovic was involved in the registration and clinical development of multiple agents, including bleomycin, navelbine, amifostine, irinotecan, docetaxel, and trabectedin (ET-743). He authored or co-authored over 230 peer-reviewed articles and more than 600 scientific abstracts. His research has been cited in numerous clinical guidelines and oncology reference texts.

Leadership in Oncology Drug Development and Policy

Dr. Cvitkovic’s expertise extended into drug development strategy and regulatory affairs. In 2005, he founded Oncology Therapeutic Development (OTD) in Paris, a contract research organization (CRO) focused on early-phase oncology trials. Under his direction, OTD supported pharmaceutical sponsors and academic groups in optimizing trial design and accelerating the clinical development of novel anticancer agents.

He also co-founded OncoEthix, a biotechnology company focused on epigenetic targets in cancer, where he led early work on the BET bromodomain inhibitor OTX-015. This compound showed early activity in acute myeloid leukemia and was subsequently acquired by Merck.

A video of Dr. Cvitkovic presenting these results at the 2014 AACR meeting is available on ecancer.

Additionally, Dr. Cvitkovic served in executive roles at Access Pharmaceuticals and later participated in advisory boards supporting oncology drug development globally. His perspectives were highly valued by regulatory bodies, industry partners, and academic institutions alike.

A Commitment to Education and Global Health Equity

Dr. Cvitkovic’s influence extended beyond research and innovation. He was deeply committed to mentorship, supporting the development of young oncologists and clinical researchers in Europe, Latin America, and beyond. He also advocated for improved access to cancer therapies in low- and middle-income countries and frequently addressed the importance of reducing disparities in global cancer outcomes.

In his role as President of the Scientific Board of the FNAB (Fédération Nationale des Associations de Bénévoles), he supported efforts to integrate scientific progress with personalized patient care. His approach consistently emphasized ethical rigor, patient dignity, and collaboration across institutions and borders.

Personal Life and Legacy

Dr. Cvitkovic was laid to rest following a service at Église Sainte‑Marie des Batignolles, with cremation at Père‑Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. He is survived by his family, who remember him not only as a devoted father, but also as a respected colleague and mentor.

His professional legacy endures through the therapeutic protocols he helped pioneer, the many investigators he guided, and the institutions and organizations he shaped. While his passing marks a profound loss for the oncology community, his influence on clinical practice, drug development, and global cancer policy will continue to resonate for years to come.

Dr. Guillermo Chantada shared a tribute to Dr. Cvitkovic on LinkedIn

“I am very sad by Prof Esteban Cvitkovic’s death last weekend in Paris. Esteban was a pioneer medical oncologist whose seminal contributions range from the discovery of innovative drugs (he worked on one of them until his last day) to the way we administer cisplatin that was one of his earlier achievements that we still use in practice. He was one of the brightest persons I have ever met. A kind of person you would never forget meeting. I had the privilege of meeting him thanks to his support to the Institut Curie’s research in the biology of retinoblastoma and his support to this work was critical to the growth of my retinoblastoma group when I worked in Argentina through the Foundation Nelia et Amadeo Barletta. Esteban was Argentinian-Croatian and lived in Paris but he kept supporting cancer research in Argentina . My big big thanks to life for meeting him and to him for all his support. This is the link to his obituary. https://lnkd.in/dVGUy6k .”

Selected References & Resources:

• Dr. Cvitkovic on BET inhibition in AML – ecancer video (AACR 2014)
• PubMed: Publications by Esteban Cvitkovic
• AACR 2014: Clinical Trials Session – Summary
• Oncology Therapeutic Development – OTD (archived site)

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Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD