Prof. Roger Stupp

Prof. Roger Stupp is one of the most influential neuro-oncologists of his generation, renowned for a landmark contribution to cancer medicine that has extended and improved the lives of thousands of brain tumor patients worldwide. Based at University Hospital Zurich (USZ), he holds a joint appointment with Northwestern University and has devoted more than three decades to the clinical and translational study of primary brain tumors.

His career-defining achievement — the Stupp Protocol — describes the combination of temozolomide chemotherapy with radiotherapy following surgical resection of glioblastoma multiforme. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2005, this protocol became the universal standard of care for newly diagnosed glioblastoma, and the paper has accumulated over 10,000 citations, making it among the most cited papers in oncology history.

At USZ, Prof. Stupp leads a multidisciplinary neuro-oncology programme that integrates neurosurgery, radiation oncology, neuropathology, and neuroradiology to deliver individualised care to patients with brain and CNS tumours. He is a strong advocate for enrolling eligible patients in clinical trials, believing that access to investigational therapies through structured research is itself a standard of excellent care.

Beyond the seminal temozolomide protocol, Prof. Stupp was instrumental in the clinical development and validation of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), a novel non-invasive physical therapy delivered via the Optune device. The EF-14 trial, which he led, demonstrated that adding TTFields to maintenance temozolomide significantly improved both progression-free and overall survival in glioblastoma patients, leading to regulatory approval. His work has redefined what is possible in the treatment of one of the most challenging cancers known to medicine, and he continues to push boundaries through ongoing international collaborations and early-phase trials.

Prof. Roger Stupp completed his medical degree at the University of Lausanne Faculty of Medicine, one of Switzerland's most respected medical institutions. He subsequently undertook postgraduate clinical training in internal medicine and oncology at leading Swiss university hospitals, building a broad foundation in systemic cancer treatment before narrowing his focus to the subspecialty of neuro-oncology.

He pursued advanced fellowship training in medical oncology and gained extensive exposure to clinical trial methodology, which would shape his future as a leading investigator in brain tumor research. He holds the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC) and the Fellowship of the European Society for Medical Oncology (FESMO), reflecting recognition of his expertise by major international professional bodies. His academic appointments at both the University of Zurich and Northwestern University reflect a career built at the interface of elite clinical practice and high-impact translational research.

Prof. Stupp's clinical practice centres on the management of high-grade primary brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma and anaplastic astrocytomas, as well as brain metastases and primary CNS lymphoma. He manages patients from the point of initial diagnosis through surgical planning, post-operative oncologic treatment, and ongoing disease monitoring.

His procedural expertise encompasses the design and delivery of the temozolomide-radiotherapy protocol, bevacizumab-based antiangiogenic therapy, and the integration of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) via the Optune device into standard treatment plans. A distinctive feature of his practice is the systematic enrolment of suitable patients into prospective clinical trials, providing access to cutting-edge experimental therapies not yet widely available. He co-leads a neuro-oncology molecular tumor board that integrates next-generation sequencing data, MGMT methylation status, IDH mutation profiling, and EGFR analysis to personalise treatment plans for each individual patient.

Prof. Stupp's research legacy is anchored by the 2005 NEJM publication of the randomised Phase III trial establishing temozolomide plus radiotherapy as the standard first-line treatment for glioblastoma — now universally referred to as the Stupp Protocol. With over 10,000 citations, this remains one of the most impactful papers in clinical oncology.

Subsequently, he led the EF-14 trial, published in JAMA in 2017, which demonstrated survival benefit from adding Tumor Treating Fields to maintenance chemotherapy in newly diagnosed glioblastoma. He has authored or co-authored more than 300 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to major international clinical guidelines for neuro-oncology issued by EANO, ESMO, and SNO. His work spans translational biomarker research, health-related quality-of-life assessment in brain tumor patients, and the design of innovative adaptive trial platforms.

University Hospital Zurich maintains a dedicated international patient services office that assists patients and families travelling from abroad for specialist consultation or treatment. Prof. Stupp conducts consultations in French, German, and English, making his practice accessible to a broad range of international patients.

Patients from EU and EEA countries benefit from EHIC coverage arrangements, while the hospital's international office provides detailed guidance on insurance pre-authorisation, treatment cost estimation, and travel logistics. For patients unable to travel to Zurich initially, telemedicine video consultations are available to review imaging and records before a treatment decision is made, minimising unnecessary journeys. The neuro-oncology team at USZ has extensive experience coordinating care with referring institutions across Europe and beyond.

Prof. Roger Stupp has received some of the most prestigious honours in oncology and neuro-oncology. He is the recipient of the EANO Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest distinction conferred by the European Association for Neuro-Oncology. He has also been recognised with the Swiss Cancer League Award for outstanding contributions to cancer research and clinical care, and the ASCO Cancer Foundation Prize for his transformative impact on glioblastoma management. His election as a Fellow of the European Society for Medical Oncology (FESMO) and the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC) reflects the international scope of his reputation. He has delivered keynote lectures at virtually every major oncology congress worldwide and serves on the editorial boards of leading neuro-oncology journals.