EU RTD + FP6 - 1 -

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)

cornelius.schmaltz@cec.eu.int

EU RTD + FP6 - 2 -

Cancer Treatment in Europe

Role of the EU 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.”

EU RTD + FP6 - 3 -

Cancer Research in the 6th Framework Programme

(FP6)Aims (Workprogramme)

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 - 4 -

“Combating Cancer” in FP6Basic, Translational and Clinical

research

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

EU RTD + FP6 - 5 -

“Combating Cancer” in FP6Basic/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 - 6 -

“Combating Cancer” in FP6

Clinical research: TRANSBIG (example)

Problem:Problem:for early-stage (“node-negative”) breast cancer patients

70% are 70% are long-term long-term survivorssurvivors

30% die 30% die from the from the diseasedisease

Adjuvant therapy reduces BC mortalityAdjuvant therapy reduces BC mortality

……butbut

WHO NEEDS TREATMENT ?WHO NEEDS TREATMENT ?WHO NEEDS TREATMENT ?WHO NEEDS TREATMENT ?

• Today’s medicine leads to overtreatment !

• “Translating molecular knowledge into early breast cancer manage-ment: 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

EU RTD + FP6 - 7 -

CLINICCLINIC

INDIVIDUAINDIVIDUAL PATIENTL PATIENT

INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL TUMORTUMOR

Gene Gene expressioexpression analysisn analysis

Protein Protein expressioexpression analysisn analysis

“Combating Cancer” in FP6:TRANSBIG

LABORATORYLABORATORY

TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCHTRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

• Who needs treatment ?Who needs treatment ?• Which treatment works best ?Which treatment works best ?

EU RTD + FP6 - 8 -

BENEFITS:BENEFITS:

Only women who NEED Only women who NEED chemotherapy RECEIVE it!chemotherapy RECEIVE it!

• Reduce toxicity & side effects Reduce toxicity & side effects

• Reduce cancer care costs Reduce cancer care costs

• Reduce burden on health care Reduce burden on health care systemssystems

croarray for ode Negative isease may void hemo herapy

GENOMICS IS BETTER AT TELLING US WHICH BREAST CANCERS WILL COME BACK

“Combating Cancer” in FP6:TRANSBIG

First main workpackage = MINDACT Clinical Trial:

EU RTD + FP6 - 9 -

“Combating Cancer” in FP6

Through collective European research projects towards better cancer

treatment for patients in Europe!!!