Download Towards the Sixth Framework Programme

Cancer Treatment: A priority
for patients in Europe
7th European Health Forum Bad Gastein
7 October, 2004
Cornelius Schmaltz MD
European Commission
DG Research F-2 (Cancer Sector)
[email protected]
EU RTD + FP6 - 1 -
Cancer Treatment in Europe
Role of the EU
EU RTD + FP6 - 2 -

Organisation and delivery of health services and
medical care is responsibility of member states

EC Treaty Article 152: “Community action, which
shall complement national policies, shall be
directed towards improving public health,
preventing human illness […] Such action shall
cover the fight against the major health
scourges, by promoting research into their
causes, their transmission and their prevention,
as well as health information and prevention.”
Cancer Research in the 6th
Framework Programme (FP6)
Aims (Workprogramme)
Patient-oriented strategies: from prevention to
diagnosis and treatment (ca. 310 Mill. €)
– establishing facilities for the exploitation of research on
cancer in Europe; development of evidence-based
guidelines for good clinical practice and improved
public health strategies
– supporting translational research aimed at bringing
basic knowledge through to applications in clinical
practice and public health
– supporting clinical research (clinical trials)
– other issues related to cancer such as ageing and
cancer, regional differences, psycho-social aspects,
palliative care and guidance to support groups
+ cancer-related topics in "Fundamental Genomics"
and "Biotechnology for Health“! (ca. 140 Mill. €)
EU RTD + FP6 - 3 -
“Combating Cancer” in FP6
Basic, Translational and Clinical research




EU RTD + FP6 - 4 -
Basic research as “knowledge producer” and the basis for
innovation
Translation of basic science discoveries into clinical studies:
Translational research
Clinical Research involving patients: key step to validate
effectiveness of new treatment/diagnostic/prevention
Translation of clinical studies into medical practice and
health decision making in systems of care:
Outcomes research, health systems research
“Combating Cancer” in FP6
Basic/Translational Research (Example)

Molecular targets for innovative cancer
treatment: 7 “integrated projects” funded for ca.
52,6 Mill. € addressing major pathways for cancer
development
– Protein p53 (altered in ~ 50% of human cancers) as
target for improved treatment
– Targeting angiogenesis (tumour vessels supporting
tumour growth)
– Lack of oxygen (hypoxia), responsible for resistance to
chemotherapy → targeting oxygen-sensing molecules
EU RTD + FP6 - 5 -
“Combating Cancer” in FP6
Clinical research: TRANSBIG (example)
• “Translating molecular knowledge into early breast cancer management: building on the BIG network for improved treatment tailoring”
• EU contribution: 7 Mill. € for 5 years
• “Network of Excellence” with 49 partners from 21 countries
Problem:
for early-stage (“node-negative”) breast cancer patients
Adjuvant therapy reduces BC mortality
70% are
long-term
survivors
EU RTD + FP6 - 6 -
30% die
from the
disease
…but
WHO NEEDS TREATMENT ?
• Today’s medicine leads to overtreatment !
“Combating Cancer” in FP6:
TRANSBIG
CLINIC
LABORATORY
Gene
expression
analysis
Protein
expression
analysis
INDIVIDUAL
PATIENT
EU RTD + FP6 - 7 -
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
• Who needs treatment ?
• Which treatment works best ?
INDIVIDUAL
TUMOR
“Combating Cancer” in FP6:
TRANSBIG
First main workpackage = MINDACT Clinical Trial:
croarray for
ode Negative
isease may
void
hemo herapy
GENOMICS IS BETTER AT TELLING US WHICH
BREAST CANCERS WILL COME BACK
BENEFITS:
Only women who NEED chemotherapy
RECEIVE it!
• Reduce toxicity & side effects
• Reduce cancer care costs
• Reduce burden on health care systems
EU RTD + FP6 - 8 -
“Combating Cancer” in FP6
Through collective European research
projects towards better cancer
treatment for patients in Europe!!!
EU RTD + FP6 - 9 -