Interview: Dr Alex A Adjei, Cleveland Clinic
Michelle Royle speaks to Dr Alex A Adjei, Chief of the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute, about its latest expansion, specialised care, and defining success
What inspired Cleveland Clinic to select London, specifically Belgravia, for this major expansion, and how does the London location align with the institution’s global strategy?
London is one of the world’s leading healthcare ecosystems and a major destination for international patients seeking specialised care. Cleveland Clinic’s global vision is rooted in accessibility, ensuring that patients can receive the same exceptional care regardless of geography. By establishing a presence in Belgravia, we are extending our multidisciplinary expertise to one of the world’s most influential healthcare markets. This expansion reflects our commitment to creating a truly global network where patients across Europe and beyond benefit from consistent quality, advanced treatments, and integrated care.
The new facility is described as one of the most comprehensive cancer programmes in the UK independent sector. How will it differentiate itself from existing cancer-care providers in terms of services, technology, and patient experience?
Our goal is simple: when someone is diagnosed with cancer, Cleveland Clinic should be the first name they think of. What sets us apart is our integrated, multidisciplinary approach combined with access to cutting-edge clinical trials and advanced technologies. Patients will experience seamless coordination across specialties, personalised treatment plans, and innovations in precision oncology delivered with the same standards of excellence found at our flagship in Cleveland and other international sites. This consistency of care and depth of expertise is what truly differentiates us.
At Cleveland Clinic London, we will use a multidisciplinary model that includes tumour boards for every complex case. I believe this is critical because it brings together specialists from oncology, surgery, radiology, pathology, and other disciplines to review each patient’s situation collectively. This approach ensures that every treatment plan is informed by diverse expertise and aligns with the same standards we uphold in Cleveland and Abu Dhabi. For me, tumour boards are the cornerstone of delivering personalised, evidence-based cancer care, particularly when they bring together global experts as we will do in Cleveland Clinic London.
Can you explain how the multidisciplinary model will be structured and coordinated at the London centre, and how it relates to Cleveland Clinic’s other international sites?
The London cancer centre will operate as an extension of Cleveland Clinic’s global system, ensuring that patients receive the same collaborative, team-based care model we are known for worldwide. Specialists across disciplines will work together to design and deliver comprehensive treatment plans, leveraging shared protocols and best practices across our network.
Tumour boards aren’t just about consensus; they’re about innovation. When experts from different fields collaborate, new ideas emerge. That’s how we integrate cutting-edge research, clinical trials, and precision oncology into real-world care. It’s a dynamic process that keeps us at the forefront of cancer treatment. Whether a patient is in London, Cleveland, or Abu Dhabi, they can expect the same level of expertise, coordination, and outcomes.
A key aim is to provide access to ‘the most advanced care’ and clinical trials close to home for UK-based patients. What specific research and innovation commitments will the London centre make (for example, early-phase trials, precision oncology, data analytics)?
Innovation is at the heart of our mission. The London cancer centre will offer access to early-phase clinical trials, precision oncology programmes, and data-driven treatment strategies – all aligned with Cleveland Clinic’s global research initiatives, which will be offered to patients in London without them having to travel abroad.
Data analytics is the backbone of precision oncology. By analysing genomic data alongside clinical information, we can tailor therapies to each patient’s unique profile. I believe this approach is the future of cancer care, and we’re committed to making it available across our global network.
Given the UK’s healthcare system and regulatory environment, what are the main operational and regulatory challenges you anticipate in establishing and running this independent cancer centre, and how will you ensure integration (or appropriate separation) with the National Health Service (NHS) ecosystem?
Our approach is to complement the NHS, providing additional capacity and specialised expertise where needed. We will foster partnerships that enhance patient access and outcomes. Integration will be thoughtful and collaborative, ensuring our presence strengthens the overall healthcare ecosystem.
Looking ahead, how do you define success for the London centre five years post-opening, both in clinical outcomes (survival, quality of life) and in broader goals like accessibility, global patient reach, and health equity?
Success means that Cleveland Clinic becomes synonymous with hope and excellence in cancer care. Five years from now, we aim to demonstrate outstanding clinical outcomes – improved survival rates, enhanced quality of life – and to ensure that advanced care is accessible to patients across the UK and beyond. Beyond metrics, success also means equity: breaking down barriers so that geography does not dictate the quality of care. Ultimately, our vision is that wherever you are, if you have cancer, you can turn to a Cleveland Clinic location near you with confidence.
February 2026
Issue
In this issue of ITIJ we look at international student insurance, and consider the impact of geopolitical decisions on market demand; we examine what ensues when a fatality happens on board a cruise ship, and what the protocols are for management of the remains; and we look at younger groups eschewing travel insurance.
Michelle Royle
Michelle is Editor of ITIJ.
February 2025
Issue
Offering readers a deep dive into the issues facing providers and payers of healthcare services around the world. Cost containment, international patient department development, the role of AI in healthcare delivery and more.