National Cohorts

In the field of health, a cohort refers to a group of people who share common characteristics. They are selected and followed over a long period of time to observe the occurrence of health events and analyze how they develop.

Experts at Gustave Roussy are involved in several cohorts, each targeting a specific population and objective. Their goal is to collect data that will help advance research. 

The CANTO study—which stands for CANcer TOxicities—was launched in 2012 and focuses on the side effects of breast cancer. In 2023, it was expanded to include a component dedicated to lung cancer.

Although the treatments available to patients with localized cancer are becoming increasingly effective, they often cause significant side effects. This cohort study thus aims to improve quality of life after the disease by: 

• Identifying biological markers involved in the development of adverse effects
• Identifying patients at risk of developing long-term side effects
• Reducing the aftereffects of the disease and treatments

Sponsored by UNICANCER, a network of 18 cancer centers, this study is coordinated by Prof. Fabrice André, an oncologist and director of research at Gustave Roussy. 

Figures [1]

[1] https://www.unicancer.fr/fr/programmes/etude-canto/ (“By the Numbers”)

Established in 1990, E3N is a large French prospective cohort study that follows individuals who show no signs of the disease at the time of enrollment. 

E3N initially included 98,995 women born between 1925 and 1950 who were members of the Mutuelle Générale de l’Éducation Nationale (MGEN), before gradually expanding in 2014 to include their family members: children (G2 generation), their fathers (G1), and grandchildren (G3). 

This study, renamed E3N Generations, aims to better understand the environmental and genetic risk factors for major chronic diseases, including cancers.

It is structured around several research areas: 

• Identifying and analyzing the role of certain factors—particularly hormonal, dietary, genetic, and epigenetic factors—in the development of cancers and other major chronic diseases 

• Studying the associations between major chronic diseases, lifestyle, and factors such as diet, physical activity, and the use of hormonal treatments

• Studying exposure to pollutants and their effects on health

• Analyzing the interaction between genetic characteristics and these risk factors

• Assess the relationship between chronic diseases and certain biological markers 

• Study the biological mechanisms underlying cancer, cardiometabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases, and identify new biomarkers for prediction and early diagnosis

• Study the determinants and consequences of motor decline during aging 

• Study survival and quality of life following the onset of chronic conditions such as cancer 

• Study the inheritance and transmission of health determinants

COBLAnCE is a cohort study aimed at identifying predictive biomarkers for bladder cancer, which is the sixth leading cause of cancer in Europe. Despite its high incidence, very few studies have been conducted on this type of cancer, particularly regarding genetic markers that may influence treatment decisions. 

This study is being conducted by the Oncostat team at the Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health (CESP-Inserm U1018), which includes several researchers from Gustave Roussy. It proposes robust statistical methods for identifying these biomarkers and developing predictive models for future patients.

This cohort has several objectives: 

• To study the interactions between genetic and environmental factors according to molecular tumor subtypes

• To analyze recurrences and disease progression using sequential tumor samples 

• To validate previous findings using a large number of tumors collected prospectively 

• Apply the findings to clinical practice

• To evaluate the use of healthcare resources in routine practice

• Promote French research and its active contribution to international studies.