The European Institute of Oncology is recognised by the Health Ministry as a research hospital and treatment centre (IRCCS or “Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico”). This officially confirms its role in scientific research in Italy.

Experimental Oncology laboratories are opened. The scientists working there – many of whom are from the United States and Northern Europe – collaborate on a common project to identify the altered mechanisms in the diseased cancer cell and to perfect treatments that can modify these mechanisms.

The Italian Association for Cancer Research (AIRC – Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro) and the Italian Foundation for Cancer Research (FIRC – Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro) become the leading private organisations funding this research activity. Other important contributions come from the American Italian Cancer Foundation (AICF) and the Italian League against Cancer (Lega Italiana per la Lotta contro i Tumori).

This is also the year the Institute becomes accredited with the National Health Service. As a result, the IEO also begins to offer services based on agreements with the NHS, continuing to guarantee all patients a level of care that matches the highest international standards.

An agreement is stipulated with the University of Milan, whereby the Institute becomes the headquarters for university-level specialisation courses. This tie with the University reinforces the Institute’s position in the scientific field in Italy.

The Institute organises training courses for its doctors, following the most advanced international systems. The IEO, once again anticipating what would become national legislation, establishes a programme of continuing medical education (CME) and interdisciplinary training. The main CME event, held weekly at the IEO, is the “Grand Round”. This is a general meeting of the Institute, conducted in English, for the presentation and group discussion of significant clinical cases and of the progress being made in each division’s research programmes.