Abstract

The European Academy of Cancer Sciences (EACS) is an independent advisory body of well‐recognised medical specialists and researchers striving to create a compelling interactive continuum of cancer research, from innovative basic research to implementation of state‐of‐the‐art evidence‐based cancer care and prevention. Achieving the above will entail bridging high‐quality basic and preclinical cancer research to research on prevention, early detection and therapeutics as well as improving coordination of translational research efforts across Europe. The latter is expected to be expedited through quality assuring translational cancer research in Comprehensive Cancer Centres – entities that link research with the healthcare system – and networks of cancer research centres. Achieving a critical mass of expertise, resources and patients is crucial. Improving late translational research, which involves clinical studies to assess effectiveness, and added value for the health care is also a high priority. Both high‐quality Big Data collections and the intelligent use of these data will promote innovation in cancer research and support outcomes research to assess clinical utility, quality of cancer care and long‐term follow‐up of treated patients. The EACS supports the mission‐oriented approach recently proposed by the European Commission in Horizon Europe to deal with major challenges and would like to persuade the EU and its member states to formally launch a mission in cancer to boost and streamline the cancer research continuum in Europe. Building a coherent translational cancer research continuum with a focus on patients and individuals at risk will require, however, foresight as well as the extensive and continuous provision of evidence‐based advice to inform policy.

Highlights

  • Cancer is a major challenge for society, the healthcare systems and the growing number of affected patients

  • Stakeholders to be involved include the European Union (EU) commission, national governments, health organisations, professional societies, cancer centres, hospitals and research institutes. This position paper provides the viewpoints of the European Academy of Cancer Science (EACS; www.europeancanceracademy.eu) regarding the cancer research continuum and highlights specific areas where initiatives should be taken

  • The aim was to persuade the European Commission (EC) to support FP7 (Framework Programme 7) activities intended to structure translational cancer research and to improve cross-border institutional collaborations. These efforts resulted in the funding of the EurocanPlatform project, which from 2011 to 2016 explored various strategies to organise translational research by bridging basic/preclinical research with clinical studies

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Summary

The burden of cancer

Cancer is a major challenge for society, the healthcare systems and the growing number of affected patients. Stakeholders to be involved include the EU commission, national governments, health organisations, professional societies, cancer centres, hospitals and research institutes. This position paper provides the viewpoints of the European Academy of Cancer Science (EACS; www.europeancanceracademy.eu) regarding the cancer research continuum and highlights specific areas where initiatives should be taken. By proposing effective incentives for collaboration between stakeholders in the different EU countries (and beyond) and by providing quality standards and assessment protocols for cancer centres and institutes, the EACS hopes – in collaboration with other organisations with overlapping aims – to contribute to an EU-wide more effective treatment and prevention of cancer patients

Addressing the fragmentation of cancer research
Cancer prevention research
Therapeutic research
Bridging research and health care
Mission
Support for high-quality basic and preclinical cancer research
Creation of collaborative networks focussed on primary prevention
Support for research in the area of early detection
Adoption of innovations by healthcare organisations
4.1.11. Development of initiatives in the area of digital health
Findings
European Cancer Science Policy: an unmet need
Full Text
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