The grant is related to Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, one of the priorities of the EU4Health Program. Under the main goal of beating cancer, the CANHEAL project is part of two initiatives: "Cancer Diagnostic and Treatment for All" and "Genomics for Public Health."
The grant involves 37 centers from 17 European countries, including Germany, France, Greece, Denmark, Belgium, Spain and Portugal.
- The project is ambitious and extensive. It contains 14 main tasks, and it is planned for only two years - says Prof. Tomasz Stokłosa, head of the Department of Tumor Biology and Genetics as well as the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics UCC MUW, representing our university at the grant initiation meeting in Brussels.
The scientists involved in the project will develop solutions for breaking down barriers to access to genetic testing, especially next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. These tests are very helpful in both the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The grant will include educational activities aimed at doctors and the medical professions, as well as patients.
- The specific tasks include topics such as the use of "liquid biopsy" for early detection and for monitoring cancer, i.e. looking for circulating cells or genetic material of the cancer in the blood - says Prof. Stokłosa. And he adds that this will make it possible to implement the concept of "tumor molecular boards," that is syndromes, in which a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan for oncology patients will include the molecular profile of the tumor, material banking and data exchange.
The project is also expected to result in concrete proposals for decision-makers in EU countries on how to implement the concept of precision medicine in oncology.
Details of the project can be found on the website (use the period filters: 2021-2027 and EU4H and enter the acronym CANHEAL)
The CANHEAL grant is funded by the EU under the EU4Health program.