Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC) was founded in 1965 following the initiative of the Instituto di Tumori in Milano. It now consists in 17 regional committees focusing on: financing research projects, promoting educational initiatives, inform the general public of latest innovation and scientific progress.

The group is a top private contributor to cancer research, covering 40% of total cancer research funding. Their main areas of focus are: translational, fundamental, epidemiological and clinical research.

AIRC was admitted as full UICC member in 1966.