More research on rare cancer is urgently needed, but often not feasible due to the limited number of patients
5 European cancer organizations are joining forces to offer people with a rare form of cancer more treatment prospects. Together with partners from Spain, France and Belgium, KWF challenges scientists to accelerate the development of drugs for rare forms of cancer. The funds are jointly making some 12 million euros available for this.
‘The Netherlands is small on the map, but big in research and collaboration. By looking across the border and joining forces with foreign partners, we can make important steps for people with rare cancer.’ (Carla van Gils, director of the Dutch Cancer Society)
1 in 5 cancer patients has a rare form of cancer. That is more than 20,000 Dutch people per year who face additional challenges. They often have to wait longer for the (correct) diagnosis and usually have fewer (effective) treatment options. That limits their prospects. On average, 56% of people with rare cancer are still alive after 5 years. In the case of non-rare forms, this is 72% (source NKR, IKNL).
Cross-border research
More research into rare cancers is urgently needed, but often not feasible due to the limited number of patients. Large studies with sufficient evidence require many participants. This is particularly difficult to achieve in the Netherlands in the case of rare cancers.
International cooperation is necessary to be able to set up large-scale, well-founded research. KWF has therefore found several European funds willing to form a joint ‘call for proposals’, a call for scientists to submit promising research proposals. The aim of this ATTRACT call is to accelerate the development of new, effective medicines for people with rare cancers.
The focus is on multinational, multicenter clinical studies. These are studies in which patients from multiple countries and multiple hospitals can participate. In this way, sufficient data can be collected and reliable conclusions can be drawn.
FC AECC (Spain), Anticancer Fund (Belgium), Kom op tegen Kanker (Belgium), Fondation ARC (France) and KWF are jointly making 12 million euros available. In order to spend that amount with maximum impact, an independent committee of experts and patients carefully assesses the submitted proposals for quality, feasibility and relevance.
From November 22, researchers can submit a project proposal. More information can be found at www.attract-call.com
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