Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
DKFZ
The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ, www.dkfz.de) in Heidelberg is Germany’s largest biomedical research center with a worldwide reputation of excellence in basic and translational cancer research.
ID: 568418126187-36
Lobbying Activity
Response to Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan
27 Feb 2020
The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) supports the Commission’s ambitious Cancer Plan to fight the growing burden of cancer in our society. Its success requires integrating all available resources and coordinating “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan” with other initiatives (Cancer Mission in Horizon Europe, European Innovation Council (EIC), Structural Funds). Many gaps in our understanding cancer as a complex collection of diseases remain. Initiatives to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment will not be fully effective until the underlying causes and mechanisms are unraveled. Research can thus make a significant contribution to the success of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan:
Prevention programs can substantially reduce new cancer cases. Yet, too little is known about underlying genetic or environmental risk factors leading to cancer. Exposure- and lifestyle-focused cancer prevention programs should thus be grounded on evidence-based research on cancer risk factors.
Early detection and diagnosis are effective in reducing cancer-related mortality. Developing innovative, sensitive methods to detect early and premalignant stages of tumors and improve cancer screening programs and early treatment should thus be prioritized. Basic and pre-clinical research findings should be translated quickly into clinical applications, and patients in all Member States provided equal access to them. Research-based guidelines on screening, diagnosis, and therapy on should be harmonized using coordinated networks of experts. Large-scale patient cohorts are needed to identify risk groups.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs) integrating basic and translational research with multidisciplinary cancer care and investigator-initiated clinical trials (IIE) should be established in each EU country. Partnership models linking existing and new CCCs can expedite this process. Structural Funds and programmes like “Widening Participation and Strengthening Excellence” can be expanded in Horizon Europe to strengthen research and healthcare infrastructure in underrepresented countries.
Support for IIE is needed to overcome the “valley of death” in innovative drug and medical product development and expedite patient access. The EIC could be a platform for coordinating IIEs. The effectiveness of preventive and therapeutic interventions, including quality-of-life aspects, should be validated in outcomes research addressing survival benefits, psychosocial and socioeconomic aspects, or palliative care.
Cancer patient communities should actively participate in policy-making as well as implementation.
Resources to connect and facilitate EU-wide access to existing or new networks of data centers can be provided through Horizon Europe and Structural Funds.
Education and training of the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians is key to creating an innovative interdisciplinary environment fostering knowledge transfer throughout the EU and the development of innovative treatment approaches. Training and education programs, including exchanges among different European universities, CCCs, and research institutes, should be implemented in all fields addressed in the EU Cancer Plan.
The overarching goal of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan should be to foster the seamless, pan-European integration of cancer research and healthcare in the following areas:
• Elucidating mechanisms underlying cancer development, overcoming gaps in understanding cancer as a complex set of diseases
• Promoting knowledge transfer at all levels
• Fostering the development of and access to pan-European infrastructures (e.g. European networks of “big-data” centers and CCCs)
• Promoting multidisciplinary, multisectoral networks of excellence engaging all stakeholders
• Formulating evidence-based, quality-assured strategies and standards for prevention, early diagnosis, and multidisciplinary cancer care
• Assessing long-term therapy outcomes and impacts on prevention and quality of life
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