Organization:ENS@T
| Formation | May 15th, 2009 |
|---|---|
| Focus | Permanent and Integrated European Network for Adrenal Tumor Research[1] |
| Location |
|
Members | 428 |
President | Cristina Ronchi |
| Website | https://www.ensat.org/ |
European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors – ENS@T was founded in 2009 to promote research on adrenal tumors. Its target is to improve the understanding of the pathophysiology and natural progression, as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic treatment of adrenal tumors and adrenal hormone excess.
History
The network was informally founded in 2002. It originally consisted of four founding partners: COMETE (Cortical and Medullary Endocrine Tumors), GANIMED (German Network for Adrenal Gland Diseases for the Improvement of Research and Teaching), NISGAT (National Italian Study Group for Adrenal Tumors), and UK ACT (UK AdrenoCortical Tumor Network). Xavier Bertagna from France assumed the chairmanship.
Between 2002 and 2008, common quality criteria were defined, which are a mandatory prerequisite for the implementation and execution of quality strategies and are based on scientific findings and experience. Furthermore, clinical databases were created that document cases of aldosterone-producing and non-aldosterone-producing adrenocortical adenomas, adrenocortical carcinomas, as well as pheochromocytomas or paragangliomas. Four working groups were also established:
- Aldosterone-producing adenoma
- Non-aldosterone-producing adenoma
- Adrenocortical carcinoma
- Pheochromocytoma
The inaugural general assembly took place in Paris on May 15, 2009.
Targets
Due to the fact that adrenal tumors are rare, progress in their diagnosis and treatment is only possible through collaboration between researchers and clinicians from different countries. To overcome these challenges and enable significant progress for affected patients, a Europe-wide network for adrenal tumors (ENS@T) was established. ENS@T aims to improve the understanding of the genetics, genesis of tumors, and hormone overproduction in patients with adrenal tumors and associated familial syndromes. It seeks to optimize the prediction of recurrence and the treatment of malignant adrenal tumors, which are particularly rare. Research into adrenal tumors is expected to uncover new molecular mechanisms of tumor growth and provide insights into the role of hormones in causing high blood pressure (hypertension). To this end, ENS@T pools expertise and resources to achieve significant advances in basic and clinical research, thereby promoting the translation of basic research into clinical practice and contributing to the fight against adrenal tumors.
The network will operate as a non-profit, transnational platform to improve the dissemination of research material on adrenal tumors and optimize standards for diagnosis and treatment.
To achieve these goals, ENS@T collaborates with the A5 American Australian Asian Adrenal Alliance.[2]
Organization
The governing bodies of ENS@T include the General Assembly, the executive board, and an advisory board. The network's scientific activities are divided among four working groups, each one with an operative Scientific Board.
In addition, the ENS@T Registry is operated. Its target is to include as many patients suffering from adrenal tumors as possible in the registry. The data are initially used to answer various statistical questions. Furthermore, the data can also be used to compare the effectiveness of different forms of therapy.[3][4]
External links
- https://www.aio-portal.de/studie/10--ensat.html - Arbeitsgemeinschaft Internistische Onkologie in der Deutschen Krebsgesellschaft e.V. (engl. Working Group for Internal Oncology in the German Cancer Society e.V.)
- https://www.endokrinologie.net/sektion-nebenniere-steroide-hypertonie-1.php – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Endokrinologie - Sektion Nebenniere, Steroide und Hypertonie - ENS@T-Initiative (engl. German Society for Endocrinology - Section Adrenal Gland, Steroids and Hypertension - ENS@T Initiative)
- https://www.esmo.org/ ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology)
References
- ↑ ENS@T by-laws, [1], retrieved November 1st, 2025.
- ↑ A5 American Australian Asian Adrenal Alliance - About Us - Fostering Collaboration, [2], retrieved November 4th, 2025.
- ↑ ENS@T-Registry, [3], retrieved November 3rd, 2025.
- ↑ Anthony Stell, Richard Sinnott: The ENSAT registry: a digital repository supporting adrenal cancer research. In: PubMed Stud Health Technol Inform. 2012:178:207-12, [4], retrieved November 3rd, 2025.
 |  |
