On July 2019, the Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation – Carlos Moedas -officially launched the work on five major European research and innovation missions that will be part of Horizon Europe. These new European R&I missions aim to deliver solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing our world, including cancer. In addition, DG SANTE are producing proposals for Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission’s policy agenda to improve cancer control and care. Cancer is a complex disease in which cells in a specific tissue are no longer fully responsive to the signals within the tissue that regulate cellular differentiation, survival, proliferation and death. As result, these cells accumulate and invade other tissues, causing local damages and inflammation. There are over 200 different types of cancer. In this context, the immuno-oncology is a type of cancer treatment that uses the power of the body’s own immune system to prevent, control, and eliminate cancer. Also known as immunotherapy, this innovative treatment comes in a variety of forms, including targeted antibodies, cancer vaccines, adoptive cell transfer, tumor-infecting viruses, checkpoint inhibitors, cytokines, and adjuvants. Some immunotherapy treatments also use genetic engineering to enhance immune cells’ cancer-fighting capabilities (CAR-T cells).
With a unique European focus on cancer research and emerging therapies, the aim of the annual lecture 2020 was to discuss radical treatments and better ways to manage and eradicate cancer. The event consisted in an interactive debate – with high-profile list of speakers – discussing progress and new frontiers in immunotherapy research. In particular, the webinar discussed how policymakers can help supporting the uptake of immunotherapy treatments, reduce barriers to access, and encourage further research into this most promising field. This was an initiative aimed to unite research experts, European authorities, patient groups and stakeholder communities working in this field. The FEAM European Biomedical Policy Forum and Cancer Research UK were very grateful for your participation.
The FEAM European Biomedical Policy Forum provides a platform for discussion on key policy issues for the biomedical community.
The Forum is an initiative from the Federation of European Academies of Medicine (FEAM). It aims to bring together representatives from academia, research charities, industry, European and national trade associations and professional bodies, regulators, public health bodies, and patient and consumers groups. If you would like further information on the FEAM European Biomedical Policy Forum or becoming a partner, please contact elisa.corritore@feam.eu.
