The role of supportive therapies in modern oncology was the focus of the award ceremony of the Fondazione San Salvatore Prize, awarded this year to the German oncologist Karin Jordan, considered among the international reference figures in the field of supportive care and palliative care related to cancer treatments.
The event took place on May 16 at the Hotel Splendide Royal in Lugano, before an audience of specialists, academics, and healthcare professionals. The San Salvatore Prize, worth 50 francs, is considered one of the most prestigious Swiss awards in oncology and has recognized researchers and clinicians who have made significant contributions to the study and treatment of cancer, both in Switzerland and internationally, since 1980.
The selection was led by a scientific committee composed of Stefan Aebi of the University of Bern, Markus Manz of the University of Zurich, Alfred Zippelius of the University of Basel and chaired by Solange Peters, full professor atUniversity of Lausanne and member of the Council ofUniversity of Svizzera Italiana.
According to Peters, the San Salvatore Prize was awarded to Karin Jordan for "outstanding contributions to supportive care and palliative care in oncology," highlighting in particular her work in preventing and managing side effects caused by cancer treatments. Jordan is internationally recognized for her studies on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, as well as for her strategies for managing adverse effects associated with new cancer therapies.
Over the years, this work has helped define shared, evidence-based standards within various healthcare systems. Peters also highlighted how Professor Jordan's approach stands out for its unwavering focus on patients and their families, integrating medical expertise, communication, and empathy.
Karin Jordan currently heads the Department of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine at theErnst von Bergmann HospitalHe had previously held senior positions at theHeidelberg University Hospital, helping to strengthen the role of supportive care within oncology treatment pathways.
During the ceremony, he also spoke Stefano Coduri, current president of San Salvatore Foundation, founded in 1979 on the initiative of the banker Carlo Pernsch and his wife Célestine Pernsch-Verna.
Coduri recalled how the foundation has continued to support cancer research for nearly half a century and to recognize scientists working to develop new therapeutic approaches against malignant tumors. In Professor Jordan's case, the award also recognizes her contribution to making supportive care a structural component of comprehensive cancer treatment.
Karin Jordan herself explained that her interest in this field began during her university years. As a young doctor, she said, she was struck not only by the advances in cancer therapies, but also by the suffering caused by their side effects. Hence, she chose to focus her work on reducing treatment toxicity and improving patients' quality of life.
A commitment also developed within theEuropean Society for Medical Oncology, where Jordan contributed to the definition of continuously updated international guidelines dedicated to oncological supportive care.
For the German specialist, the recognition represents not only a personal honor, but also an important signal for the entire sector: supportive care, she emphasized, must be considered an integral part of oncology treatment from the early stages of the therapeutic journey, and not simply an accessory.
