EU Cancer Mission Showcase event: Meet HaDEA-managed projects on Day 3

The EU Cancer Mission Showcase event is taking place from 29 September to 1 October, bringing together researchers, clinicians, patients, policymakers, innovators, start-ups, investors and industry leaders with one common goal: to share significant breakthroughs advancing cancer research in Europe. 

Marking five years of the EU Cancer Mission, the event is showcasing on its Day 3 the following HaDEA-managed projects working to improve cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, care and survivorship: 

Day 3 

BCLEAR (EU4Health) works to improve awareness, understanding and shared decision-making in bladder cancer across Europe, helping people recognise symptoms earlier and access the right information and care. 

CARE1 strives to improve treatment for patients with metastatic kidney cancer by implementing a routine biomarker. 

CCI4EU aims to alleviate disparities affecting cancer research, innovation and quality care by developing Comprehensive Cancer Infrastructures (CCIs). 

De-ESCALATE is working to evaluate the effectiveness and convenience of a treatment for metastatic prostate cancer (intensified androgen deprivation treatment, iADT) compared to continuous therapy. 

DEFINITIVE is developing a clinical trial on personalised treatment decisions in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer. The project aims to demonstrate that personalised treatment decisions using HER2DX diagnostic assay can improve the patient's quality of life without affecting outcome and survival rates. 

The European Network of Cancer Mission Hubs Project (ECHoS) is supporting the implementation of the Cancer Mission activities through the establishment and development of Cancer Mission Hubs operating at national, regional and local levels, engaging stakeholders across the entire cancer landscape.  

IMPORTANT aims to design and conduct a clinical study across six EU countries to assess the combination of CDK4/6 inhibitors with endocrine therapy for older patients with advanced breast cancer. 

INTERACT-EUROPE 100 is a flagship initiative of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to provide new standards in teamwork in cancer centres, allowing various professional specialties across Europe to train together, improving collaboration and patient care through the creation of an Inter-Specialty Cancer Training Programme. 

LEGATO is aiming to establish a novel, evidence-based standard of care for recurrent glioblastoma cancer while generating high-quality clinical data that can be utilised for further research. 

LiT-MET has the purpose of generating evidence to determine whether liver transplantation can become a life-extending treatment option for selected patients with colorectal liver metastasis. 

MONALISA is conducting a pragmatic clinical trial to evaluate the use of liquid biopsies as a monitoring tool for relapsed neuroblastoma. 

PERIFORMANCE aims to enhance stakeholder engagement in cancer research across Europe by using federated biobanking as a key platform for transdisciplinary cancer research and innovation. 

PHOENIX is dedicated to improving treatment options for children with high-risk cancers, including neuroblastoma and other aggressive paediatric solid tumours. The project focuses on an innovative oral anticancer therapy designed to target tumour cells in a potentially safer way than conventional chemotherapy. 

RESOLVE aims to improve treatment for acute myeloid (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in Europe by developing a platform for routine clinical practice, with the goal of ensuring that all patients have access to measurable residual diseases (the small number of cancer cells that remain in a patient after treatment) testing. 

SAGITTARIUS is investigating the benefits of a new approach to post-surgical care for patients with colon cancer. Concretely, the project is assessing the use of liquid biopsy (a type of blood test) to detect signs of colon cancer in patients after surgery. 

Salvovar is proposing practical and affordable diagnostic tools to identify the group of ovarian patients who have poorer health outcomes and assess the utility, acceptability and affordability of therapeutic solutions based on early adjustments of their treatments. 

STREXIT2 is investigating the added value of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery for high-risk retroperitoneal sarcoma, a rare soft‑tissue cancer that develops in the retroperitoneum. 

TRANSCAN is advancing transnational cancer research with the overall objective of ensuring that research outcomes remain meaningful and responsive to patients' needs. 

Background

Horizon Europe is the research and innovation programme of the EU for the period 2021-2027. The aims of Cluster 1 ‘Health’ include improving and protecting the health and well-being of citizens of all ages by generating new knowledge, developing innovative solutions and integrating where relevant a gender perspective to prevent, diagnose, monitor, treat and cure diseases. Horizon 2020 (H2020) was the EU’s multiannual funding programme between 2014 and 2020.

EU4Health is the fourth and largest of the EU health programmes. The EU4Health programme goes beyond an ambitious response to the COVID-19 crisis to address the resilience of European healthcare systems. The programme provides funding to national authorities, health organisations and other bodies through grants and public procurement, contributing to a healthier Europe. 

HaDEA manages the vast majority of the total EU4Health budget and implements the programme by managing calls for proposals and tenders from 2021 to 2027.