Jean-Yves Douillard

Jean-Yves Douillard, MD, PhD is a French medical oncologist and past President of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). He is a founding figure of modern colorectal cancer chemotherapy, best known for his leadership of the pivotal trials establishing FOLFOX4 (oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil) as the standard backbone for metastatic and adjuvant CRC treatment. His landmark MOSAIC trial demonstrated that adding oxaliplatin to 5-FU/leucovorin (creating FOLFOX4) in the adjuvant setting significantly improved disease-free survival in stage II–III colon cancer patients, creating one of the most widely used regimens in oncology worldwide. Dr. Douillard subsequently led seminal biomarker studies establishing that extended RAS testing (KRAS and NRAS mutations in exons 2, 3, and 4) is essential before prescribing anti-EGFR therapies such as panitumumab, as patients with RAS mutations derive no benefit and may be harmed — a finding that changed global treatment guidelines and regulatory labeling. He served as ESMO President from 2013 to 2015 and as Chief Medical Officer, where he championed precision oncology frameworks and global guidelines harmonization. Dr. Douillard has authored more than 250 publications and is a fellow of multiple national and international oncology academies.