Investigative Report on Stefaan Van Gool

Key Points

• Pioneering Immunotherapy Research: Stefaan Van Gool is a Belgian pediatric oncologist and cancer researcher renowned for his groundbreaking work in individualized immunotherapy, particularly for brain tumors and other cancers.
• Academic and Professional Achievements: He held a professorship at KU Leuven (2006–2016), authored nearly 200 scientific articles, and received prestigious awards like the Schweisguth Prize (1995) and Nycomed Prize (1996).
• Controversial Departure from UZ Leuven: In 2015, Van Gool left University Hospitals Leuven (UZ Leuven) due to “significant administrative problems” with his clinical trials, raising concerns about ethical approvals and informed consent.
• Private Clinic Operations: Since 2015, he has worked at the Immuno-Oncological Centre Cologne (IOZK) in Germany, offering costly immunotherapy treatments, with patients paying tens of thousands of dollars.
• Allegations of Misconduct: Reports suggest Van Gool may have misled patients about treatment efficacy, started trials without proper approvals, and lacked informed consent forms in some cases.
• Mixed Reputation: Praised for empathy and innovation, but criticized for ethical lapses and high treatment costs at his private clinic.
• Ongoing Contributions: Continues to publish research and lead translational oncology at IOZK, focusing on multimodal immunotherapy.

Overview

Stefaan Van Gool, born October 24, 1963, in Brugge, Belgium, is a distinguished pediatric oncologist and cancer researcher specializing in immunotherapy for brain tumors and other cancers. He began his medical education at KU Leuven in 1981, graduating with distinction in 1988 and earning his PhD in 1994, focusing on cytotoxic T-cells and anergy. His early career included specialized training in pediatric neuro-oncology in Münster, Germany, before returning to KU Leuven as a pediatric oncologist.

Van Gool’s research has centered on harnessing the immune system to combat tumors, particularly through dendritic cell-based vaccines. Since 1998, he has conducted experiments to activate immune cells against cancer, achieving notable success in laboratory settings. His work has earned him accolades, including the Schweisguth Prize (1995), Nycomed Prize (1996), and the Rik en Nel Wouters Foundation Prize (1998). From 2006 to 2016, he was a professor at KU Leuven’s Faculty of Medicine, and from 2005 to 2009, he coordinated the European Expert Group on High-Grade Glioma.

In 2015, Van Gool transitioned to the Immuno-Oncological Centre Cologne (IOZK), where he serves as the medical director of translational oncology. At IOZK, he develops and administers individualized multimodal immunotherapy (IMI) for cancer patients, often those with inoperable tumors. His treatments, which combine dendritic cell vaccines with other therapies, are offered under compassionate use and cost tens of thousands of dollars, attracting patients globally.

Beyond medicine, Van Gool is musically inclined, playing the violin and saxophone, and has performed at benefit concerts for pediatric cancer research alongside his colleague Stefan Pfister and family. His empathetic approach to patient care is widely praised, positioning him as both a scientific innovator and a compassionate physician.

Allegations and Concerns

Van Gool’s career has not been without controversy, particularly following his departure from UZ Leuven in 2015. According to a 2017 investigation by the Flemish newspaper De Standaard, reported via Retraction Watch, UZ Leuven’s internal audit in 2013 and a subsequent 2014 committee of inquiry uncovered “significant administrative problems” in his clinical trials. Key allegations include:

• Lack of Ethical Approvals: Van Gool allegedly initiated clinical trials, such as the 2010-HGG trial, before receiving approval from Belgium’s federal drug safety agency. At least 25 patients reportedly received treatment prematurely.
• Informed Consent Issues: The investigation raised doubts about whether all patients provided informed consent, as some consent forms were missing.
• Misleading Claims: Van Gool is accused of overstating the efficacy of his tumor vaccine and downplaying potential side effects, despite clinical trials being designed to evaluate these factors.
• Settlement to Avoid Prosecution: Reports from Made in indicate that Van Gool paid to settle potential legal action related to these irregularities, avoiding formal prosecution.

These issues led to his exit from UZ Leuven in 2015 and KU Leuven in 2016. The non-disclosure agreement between Van Gool, the hospital, and the university has limited public access to detailed findings, fueling speculation and criticism. Critics argue that his move to a private clinic in Germany, where regulatory oversight may differ, raises concerns about the transparency and ethics of his current practice.

Customer Feedback

Feedback on Van Gool’s work is polarized, reflecting both his innovative contributions and the controversies surrounding his practices.

Positive Feedback:

• Patients and families often praise Van Gool’s empathy and dedication. A review on onco.rehab highlights his role as a consulting doctor, with patients appreciating his personalized approach: “Dr. Van Gool took the time to explain the treatment in detail and made us feel hopeful for the first time in months” (patient with stage IV prostate cancer, 2021).
• His work at IOZK is lauded for offering hope to patients with terminal diagnoses. A 2021 testimonial on sciprofiles.com notes, “His immunotherapy gave my son a fighting chance when standard treatments failed.”
• Colleagues, such as Nobel laureate Professor Ralph Steinman, have commended his research. In a 2009 video on stefaanvangool.be, Steinman describes Van Gool’s dendritic cell therapy as “a promising step toward curing gliomas.”

Negative Feedback:

• Some patients and families have expressed concerns about the high costs of treatment at IOZK, which can exceed $50,000. A review cited on Retraction Watch states, “We paid a fortune for the vaccine, but the results were unclear, and we felt misled about its effectiveness.”
• Ethical concerns persist, with some former patients alleging insufficient transparency about experimental treatments. A De Standaard report quotesny feedback, and public trust in his expertise.

Cons:

• Ethical controversies from 2015 undermine credibility.
• High treatment costs limit accessibility and raise ethical concerns.
• Lack of transparency due to non-disclosure agreements fuels skepticism.

Cautionary Advice: Patients considering treatment at IOZK should thoroughly research the experimental nature of Van Gool’s therapies, verify regulatory compliance, and seek second opinions from independent oncologists. Financial planning is critical due to high costs and uncertain outcomes. Researchers and institutions partnering with Van Gool should prioritize transparency and ethical oversight to mitigate reputational risks.

Key Citations

• Liquid News: “Stefaan Van Gool: Pionier der Immuntherapie und Visionär in der Krebsforschung,” May 14, 2024. https://liquid-news.com
• Retraction Watch: “Star pediatric oncologist committed misconduct, ethical violations: reports,” April 5, 2017. https://retractionwatch.com
• Made in: “Stefaan Van Gool koopt vervolging af na geknoei met kankerstudies,” May 8, 2017. https://www.made-in.be
• Stefaanvangool.be: Official website with biography and video testimonials, accessed May 15, 2025. https://stefaanvangool.be
• Nature: “Synergy between TMZ and individualized multimodal immunotherapy,” February 16, 2022. https://www.nature.com
• Cybercriminal.com: Investigation on Stefaan Van Gool, accessed May 15, 2025. https://cybercriminal.com/investigation/stefaan-van-gool