The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Pathobiology group and the young task force: A pan-tumor framework for translational oncology

Progress in precision oncology depends on effective and well-coordinated collaboration between pre-clinical researchers and clinical investigators. In this setting, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Pathobiology group (PBG) plays a key role in reinforcing the link between biological research and clinical investigation, facilitating the translation of biological and medical findings into clinical application, supporting the rigorous testing of molecular hypotheses in clinical trials, and providing multidisciplinary expertise for biomarker development and validation across different tumor types. A defining characteristic of the EORTC PBG is its pan-tumor perspective, which is consistent with the evolving molecular taxonomy of cancer and, through specialized expertise in molecular biology, pathology, biomarker development, and quality assurance, contributes to the activities of both the EORTC Translational Research Division and the Disease-Oriented Groups. This editorial outlines the scientific mission and achievements of the EORTC PBG, highlights the increasing contribution of Young and Early Career Investigators within the group, and emphasizes the importance of pathobiology-driven research in rare cancers, where unmet clinical needs remain considerable.