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Understanding the diversity in cancer research priorities and the correlations among different treatment modalities is essential to address the evolving landscape of oncology. This study, conducted in collaboration with the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) and Childhood Cancer International-Europe (CCI-E) as part of the "UNCAN.eu" initiative, analyzed data from a comprehensive survey to explore the complex interplay of demographics, time since cancer diagnosis, and types of treatments received. Demographic analysis revealed intriguing trends, highlighting the importance of tailoring cancer research efforts to specific age groups and genders. Individuals aged 45–69 exhibited highly aligned research priorities, emphasizing the need to address the unique concerns of middle-aged and older populations. In contrast, patients over 70 years demonstrated a divergence in research priorities, underscoring the importance of recognising the distinct needs of older individuals in cancer research. The analysis of correlations among different types of cancer treatments underscored the multidisciplinary approach to cancer care, with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, precision therapy, and biological therapies playing integral roles. These findings support the need for personalized and combined treatment strategies to achieve optimal outcomes. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the complexity of cancer research priorities and treatment correlations in a European context. It emphasizes the importance of a multifaceted, patient-centred approach to cancer research and treatment, highlighting the need for ongoing support, adaptation, and collaboration to address the ever-changing landscape of oncology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyses of inequalities related to prevention and cancer therapeutics/care show disparities between countries with different economic standing, and within countries with high Gross Domestic Product. The development of basic technological and biological research provides clinical and prevention opportunities that make their implementation into healthcare systems more complex, mainly due to the growth of Personalized/Precision Cancer Medicine (PCM). Initiatives like the USA‐Cancer Moonshot and the EU‐Mission on Cancer and Europe's Beating Cancer Plan are initiated to boost cancer prevention and therapeutics/care innovation and to mitigate present inequalities. The conference organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in collaboration with the European Academy of Cancer Sciences discussed the inequality problem, dependent on the economic status of a country, the increasing demands for infrastructure supportive of innovative research and its implementation in healthcare and prevention programs. Establishing translational research defined as a coherent cancer research continuum is still a challenge. Research has to cover the entire continuum from basic to outcomes research for clinical and prevention modalities. Comprehensive Cancer Centres (CCCs) are of critical importance for integrating research innovations to preclinical and clinical research, as for ensuring state‐of‐the‐art patient care within healthcare systems. International collaborative networks between CCCs are necessary to reach the critical mass of infrastructures and patients for PCM research, and for introducing prevention modalities and new treatments effectively. Outcomes and health economics research are required to assess the cost‐effectiveness of new interventions, currently a missing element in the research portfolio. Data sharing and critical mass are essential for innovative research to develop PCM. Despite advances in cancer research, cancer incidence and prevalence is growing. Making cancer research infrastructures accessible for all patients, considering the increasing inequalities, requires science policy actions incentivizing research aimed at prevention and cancer therapeutics/care with an increased focus on patients' needs and cost‐effective healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvements in cancer care require a new degree of collaboration beyond the purely medical sphere, extending deeply into the world of other stakeholders—preeminently patients but also the other stakeholders in the hardware and software of care. Cancer remains a global health challenge, necessitating collaborative efforts to understand, prevent, and treat this complex disease. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive analysis was conducted, aligning the prioritization of cancer research measures in 13 European countries with 13 key recommendations for conquering cancer in the region. The study utilized a survey involving both patients and citizens, alongside data from IQVIA, a global healthcare data provider, to assess the availability and access to single-biomarker tests in multiple European countries. The results revealed a focused approach toward understanding, preventing, and treating cancer, with each country emphasizing specific research measures tailored to its strengths and healthcare objectives. This analysis highlights the intricate relationship between research priorities, access to biomarker tests, and financial support. Timely access to tests and increased availability positively influence research areas such as cancer prevention, early detection, ageing, and data utilization. The alignment of these country-specific measures with 13 recommendations for conquering cancer in Europe underscores the importance of tailored strategies for understanding, preventing, and treating cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective cancer diagnosis, treatment and control depend on interactions among numerous distinct factors, from technology to data to skills to sociology. But a crucial influence is the extent to which the health system takes account of the distinct perspectives of the many different groups of interdependent stakeholders concerned with cancer, including patients, practitioners and planners. This paper provides some elucidation as to how far and how efficiently these interactions currently take place in Europe. It also makes some tentative suggestions as to how conscious systematic interventions could improve cancer outcomes. It is based on a series of expert panels and surveys conducted by the European Alliance for Personalised Medicine (EAPM) that provided information at the national level on three selected parameters: implementation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and liquid biopsy (LB), attitudes of patients to prevention and practices of sharing genomic data among healthcare professionals (HCPs). The varying data infrastructure highlights the urgent need for substantial improvements to accommodate the increasing importance of genomics data in cancer diagnosis and care. Additionally, we identify disparities in age-specific approaches to cancer prevention, emphasising the necessity for tailored strategies to address unique age group perspectives. Moreover, distinct regional prioritizations in cancer treatment underscore the importance of considering regional variations when shaping future cancer care strategies. This study advocates for collaborative data sharing supported by technological innovation to overcome these challenges, ultimately fostering a holistic and equitable provision of cancer care in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European cancer research stakeholders met in October 2022 in Heidelberg, Germany, at the 5th Gago conference on European Cancer Policy, to discuss the current cancer research and cancer care policy landscape in Europe. Meeting participants highlighted gaps in the existing European programmes focusing on cancer research, including Europe's Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP), the Mission on Cancer (MoC), Understanding Cancer (UNCAN.eu), and the joint action CRANE, and put forward the next priorities, in the form of the Heidelberg Manifesto for cancer research. This meeting report presents all discussions that shed light on how infrastructures can be effectively shaped for translational, prevention, clinical and outcomes cancer research, with a focus on implementation and sustainability and while engaging patients and the public. In addition, we summarize recommendations on how to introduce frameworks for the digitalization of European cancer research. Finally, we discuss what structures, commitment, and resources are needed to establish a collaborative cancer research environment in Europe to achieve the scale required for innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity is a well-known complication of several very effective systemic anticancer treatments, mainly presenting as cognitive impairment ("chemo-brain") and peripheral neuropathy. The social and economic effects of long-lasting chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity on patients' lifestyles and their relationships are under-investigated, and their impact is, therefore, largely unknown. In this study, we used a web-based questionnaire to record the self-reported perception of chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity on cancer patients' health status, but also on several different aspects of their daily life. From the study results, it emerged that the impact of chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity on personal, social, and working activities is very high. A similar effect was also observed when the psychological impact is assessed. Moreover, there is evidence suggesting that the management of CIPN is suboptimal; this is partially due to a lack of effective drugs, but also of appropriate advice from healthcare providers. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for the relevance of the impact on the explored aspects of the daily life of cancer patients and spotlights the need for a larger and more structured investigation on these long-term side effects of anticancer chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aimac), Rome, Italy; 6Alleanza Contro il Cancro, Rome, Italy; 7SC Haematology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy; 8Rehabilitation Medicine Unit, Strategic Health Services Department, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy; 9Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy; 10Evaluative Epidemiology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milano, Italy; 11DOPO Clinic, Department of Pediatric Haematology/Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy; 12Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; 13Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy; 14Psychology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy; 15Medical Oncology Unit, Umberto I Hospital, Department of Oncology, RAO, Siracusa, ItalyCorrespondence: Luigino Dal Maso, Epidemiologia Oncologica, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Via Franco Gallini 2, Aviano (PN), 33081, Italy, Tel +39 0434 659354, Email [email protected] Paolo Tralongo, Medical Oncology Unit, Umberto I Hospital, Department of Oncology, RAO, Via Giuseppe Testaferrata 1, Siracusa, 96100, Italy, Tel +39 0931 724 464, Email [email protected] A multidisciplinary panel of experts and cancer patients developed a position paper to highlight recent evidence on "cancer cure" (ie, the possibility of achieving the same life expectancy as the general population) and discuss the consequences of this concept on follow-up and rehabilitation strategies. The aim is to inform clinicians, patients, and health-care policy makers about strategies of survivorship care for cured cancer patients and consequences impacting patient lives, spurring public health authorities and research organizations to implement resources to the purpose. Two identifiable, measurable, and reproducible indicators of cancer cure are presented. Cure fraction (CF) is > 60% for breast and prostate cancer patients, > 50% for colorectal cancer patients, and > 70% for patients with melanoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and cancers of corpus uteri, testis (> 90%), and thyroid. CF was > 65% for patients diagnosed at ages 15– 44 years and 30% for those aged 65– 74 years. Time-to-cure was consistently < 1 year for thyroid and testicular cancer patients and < 10 years for patients with colorectal and cervical cancers, melanoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma. The working group agrees that the evidence allows risk stratification of cancer patients and implementation of personalized care models for timely diagnosis, as well as treatment of possible cancer relapses or related long-term complications, and preventive measures aimed at maintaining health status of cured patients. These aspects should be integrated to produce an appropriate follow-up program and survivorship care plan(s), avoiding stigma and supporting return to work, to a reproductive life, and full rehabilitation. The "right to be forgotten" law, adopted to date only in a few European countries, may contribute to these efforts for cured patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Nutritional management is an underestimated issue in treating pediatric cancer, since a systematic approach is currently lacking. In this consensus statement, a cohort of 12 experts selected from four different tertiary pediatric oncology centers formulated 21 clinical questions regarding the identification and treatment of nutritional issues in children with cancer. These questions were discussed, and practical recommendations were provided. With this paper, we aimed to give consensus-based guidance for addressing the nutritional needs of children with cancer, filling a gap in the field. Malnutrition, intended as both overnutrition and undernutrition, is a common problem in children with cancer, impacting quality of life as well as survival. In addition, nutritional imbalances during childhood can significantly affect proper growth. Nevertheless, there is currently a lack of a systematic approach to this issue in the pediatric oncology population. To fill this gap, we aimed to provide practice recommendations for the uniform management of nutritional needs in children with cancer. Twenty-one clinical questions addressing evaluation and treatment of nutritional problems in children with cancer were formulated by selected members from four Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (AIEOP) centers and from the Survivorship Care and Nutritional Support Working Group of Alliance Against Cancer. A literature search in PubMed was performed; during two consensus meetings, all recommendations were discussed and finalized using the nominal group technique. Members representing every institution voted on each recommendation. Finally, recommendations were approved by all authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study examining the key role of patient empowerment in the future management of cancer-related malnutrition. Topics discussed include impact of malnutrition in cancer patients; prevalence of cancer-related malnutrition that depends on disease stage and localization, and nutritional status that impairment affects the efficacy of anti-cancer treatment and increases the risk of adverse outcomes.

We have reached a watershed moment in Europe in our efforts to ensure increased survival and better outcomes for cancer patients. The EU Cancer Mission and the European Beating Cancer Plan together provide an unrivalled opportunity to make significant inroads into a disease that kills over 1.7 million European citizens annually. Harnessing these twin pillars of cancer research and cancer control can be transformative for the European cancer community and in particular for the European cancer patient. However, from a research perspective, in order to fully realise these benefits, we need to ensure that all aspects of the cancer continuum are addressed. Previous research efforts have focussed more on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, whereas cancer survivorship, to date, has been overlooked. Here, we aim to redress this balance, by identifying the key challenges in cancer survivorship research that need to be addressed and proposing a series of recommended solutions, which, if acted upon, would deliver significant benefits for the nearly 20 million cancer survivors in Europe. To achieve this, we propose the development of a clearly articulated and sustainably funded European Cancer Survivorship Research and Innovation Plan. Embedding this plan within the framework of the EU Cancer Mission would be transformative for cancer survivors and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing heart and diaphragm function constitutes only one of the steps to consider along the weaning path. In this second part of the review, we will deal with the more systematic evaluation of the pulmonary parenchyma—often implicated in the genesis of respiratory failure. We will also consider the other possible causes of weaning failure that lie beyond the cardio-pulmonary-diaphragmatic system. Finally, we will take a moment to consider the remaining unsolved problems arising from mechanical ventilation and describe the so-called protective approach to parenchyma and diaphragm ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research proposes a model for the redevelopment of the architectural and archaeological heritage through the construction of a network made up of physical elements present in the urban areas (connected by thematic paths) and a supporting information system, available for consultation online using mobile devices. The Goal is to develop a model that can be used in different contexts, able to facilitate the accessibility and dissemination of knowledge of art sites and, at the same time, to support related activities and services. These objectives are pursued through three main actions: - the construction of the thematic routes of the network and the definition of the contents that explain their characteristics; - the development of a supporting information system; - the definition of the network management plan. As regards the methodology, the research was applied to the city of Reggio Calabria. 10 thematic routes have been built, which link urban spaces and monuments, characteristic of the history and identity of the city. The contents to be included in the information system have been elaborated (graphic works, iconographies, drawings, projects, texts); an app for mobile devices, support and integration to the visit was developed; a project was drafted for the management of the system and for the economic feasibility of the project. The main result that the study has allowed to obtain is the definition of a protocol applicable in different contexts for dimensions, characteristics of the heritage to be enhanced and quantity of available information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of nutritional derangements in patients with cancer is high. This survey assessed patients' awareness of cancer‐related nutritional issues and evaluated how important they perceive the impact of nutrition on cancer and treatment to be. Methods: A structured questionnaire was developed to determine: presence of feeding problems, perception of nutrition importance, and perception of physicians' approach to nutrition. The European Cancer Patient Coalition disseminated the questionnaire to its members in 10 countries. The Mediterranean cluster (Italy, Spain, and Greece) was analysed separately to further determine specific patterns in answers. Results: In total, 907 respondents completed the questionnaire (68.8% female participants; 51.7% with cancer; 48.3% cancer survivors; 59.3% diagnosed with cancer ≤3 years ago; 46.2% receiving treatment for <1 year). Feeding problems during illness/therapy were experienced by 72.5% (628/867) of all respondents (Italian: 90.0%, 117/130), although up to 53.9% (467/867) reported that physicians did not check their feeding status. Overall, 69.6% (586/842) of respondents reported weight loss after cancer diagnosis (moderate to severe: 36.7%, 309/842). For Italian respondents, the percentages of overall weight loss and moderate‐to‐severe weight loss were 85.1% (109/128) and 70.3% (90/128), respectively. Only 35.0% (295/842) of all respondents reported having their weight measured regularly during treatment; 45.7% (385/842) believed their physician considered cancer‐related weight loss unimportant. Respondents [all: 56.9% (472/830); Italian: 73.0% (92/126); Spanish: 68.9% (42/61); Greek: 79.7% (47/59)] were unaware of supplements' negative effects during therapy or the need to inform their physician about these supplements [all: 43.6% (362/830); Italian: 55.6% (70/126); Spanish: 47.5% (29/61); Greek: 49.2% (29/59)]. The term 'cachexia' was generally unknown to respondents [all: 72.9% (603/827); Italian: 64.3% (81/126); Spanish: 68.9% (42/61); Greek: 47.5% (28/59)] and most respondents [all: 92.4% (764/827); Italian: 91.3% (115/126); Spanish: 91.8% (56/61); Greek: 86.4% (51/59)] received no cachexia‐related information. Conclusions: Patients reported differences in perspective between them and physicians on cancer‐related nutritional issues and the specific nutritional approaches available for cancer treatment. Increasing physician focus on nutrition during treatment, particularly among Italian physicians, and providing information on optimizing nutrition to patients are essential factors to improving patients' quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines several measures identified by the European ExpertGroup on Immuno-Oncology that policymakers should implement to provide greater patient access to immuno-oncology therapies. These measures include encouraging all stakeholders to understand immuno-oncology, ensuring that regulations will be based on long-term quality survival, and investing more on immuno-oncology studies. It also stresses the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders.

Background: The fast growing demand and the shortage of resources are pushing toward more efficient models of survivorship care delivery. The Associazione Italiana di Oncologia Medica (AIOM) established an interdisciplinary working group with the purpose of promoting organizational improvements at the national level. A survey aimed at assessing attitudes and feelings of oncologists was considered preliminary to further initiatives. Methods: A 25-item questionnaire, sent to the mailing list of the Society, explored the following issues on the practice of breast and colorectal cancer patients' follow up: 1) organization; 2) clinical features; 3) feelings about the different meanings of follow-up. Results: Ninety-one oncologists of 160 institutions (57%) answered to the questionnaire. Although follow up is considered a distinct oncological activity in 68%, a fully shared organization between specialists is not common and communications with Primary Care Physicians are not structured in the majority of the cases. Fifty-five and 30% of the oncologists follow breast and colorectal cancer patients indefinitely. In case of discharge a survivorship care plan is delivered in only 9%. The majority of respondents do not hold a role of follow up in mortality reduction. Conclusions: Although survivorship care represents a significant part of the oncologists' workload, an “oncology-centered” model is largely adopted and established care pathways are still incomplete. Survivorship care needs to be put at the center of an educational policy and of a widespread organizational effort, directed at improving appropriateness and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer prevalence is the proportion of a population diagnosed with cancer. We present a method for differentiating prevalence into the proportions expected to survive without relapse, die of cancer within a year, and die of cancer within 10 years or survive with relapse at the end of the 10th year. Material and methods. The method was applied to samples of colorectal cancer cases, randomly extracted from four Italian cancer registries (CRs). The CRs collected data on treatments, local relapses, distant relapses, and causes of death: 1) over the entire follow-up to 31 December 2007 for 601 cases diagnosed in 2002 (cohort approach); 2) over a single year (2007) for five cohorts of cases defined by year of diagnosis (from 1997 to 2001), alive at 1 January 2007 (total 298 cases). The cohorts were combined into a fictitious cohort with 10 years survival experience. For each year j after diagnosis the health status of cases alive at the beginning of j was estimated at the end of the 10th year. From these estimates the 10-year colorectal cancer prevalence was differentiated. Results. We estimated: 74.7% alive without relapse or not undergoing treatment at the end of 10 years; 8.1% had died of colorectal cancer within a year; 11.4% had died of colorectal cancer 1-10 years after diagnosis or had relapsed or were undergoing treatment at the end of the 10th year; and 5.8% had died of other causes. Conclusions. We have introduced a new method for estimating the healthcare and rehabilitation demands of cancer survivors based on CR data plus treatment and relapse data specifically collected for samples of cases archived by CRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reactivity of the sulfhydryl groups of histidyl-tRNA synthetase from Salmonella typhimurium and the effect of substrates on the reactivity has been studied using p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) as reagents. It has been found that 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) titrates only two sulfhydryl groups per molecule of enzyme and the reaction is essentially monophasic, while p-hydroxymercuribenzoate titrates four sulhydryl groups. As observed kinetically the reaction with p-hydroxymercuribenzoate is strongly biphasic, each phase corresponding to about two sulfhydryl groups per enzyme molecule. With both reagents no detectable difference in sulfhydryl group reactivity was observed when ATP, histidine and tRNA specific for histidine were added individuaily or in combination to the enzyme. The enzyme activity slowly changes after two or four sulfhydryl groups are blocked by 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) or p-hydroxymercuribenzoate respectively. A new, stable level of activity is reached that is characterized by a different Km value for the aminoacylation reaction. The results indicate that the sulfhydryl groups reacting with the two reagents used here are neither directly involved in the binding of the substrates nor in the catalytic process. The ultimate change in enzyme activity after reaction of the sulfhydryl groups suggests a transition to an alternative enzyme structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural requirements for substrate binding to histidyl-tRNA synthetase from Salmonella typhimurium have been investigated using ATP analogues. K; values and the relative binding affinity of the enzyme for these analogues have been determined in the tRNA aminoacylation reaction. The enzyme is highly specific for ATP: no binding was found for GTP, CTP, TTP and UTP. dATP is a very poor substrate for acylation of tRNA, with a Km 40-fold higher than that of ATP. Binding of adenosine 5′-triphosphate requires interactions of the amino group of adenosine and the sugar moiety; the 2′ and the 5′ positions of the ribose appear to be essential for recognition; the phosphate groups enhance the binding. AMP is a noncompetitve inhibitor with ATP. The interaction of histidyl-tRNA synthetase, a dimeric enzyme, with histidine and ATP was examined by fluorescence measurements at equilibrium and by equilibrium dialysis. Binding with L-histidine is significantly tighter at pH 6 than at pH 7, while the ATP binding is independent of pH. The stoichiometry was measured at pH 7.5 by equilibrium dialysis and is 1 moI ATP/mol enzyme and, variably, close to 2 or 1 mol histidine/mol enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topography of the active site of histidyl-tRNA synthetase has been investigated by determining Ki values for a variety of structural analogues of histidine, using the ATP-PPi exchange and tRNA aminoacylation reactions. Using these kinetic constants it has been possible to have a measure of the relative binding affinity of the enzyme for the histidine analogues. The following conclusions have been drawn: (a) the enzyme is stereospecific in the formation of aminoacyl-tRNA complexes, since the D-isomer of histidine does not influence the two reactions; (b) the carboxyl group is not required for binding; (c) bulky derivatives of the carboxyl group prevent the molecules from binding to the enzyme; (d) the amino group permits a good binding affinity; (e) the length of the ring side chain plays a very important role as point of attachment to the enzyme; (f) the kinds of-heteroatoms on the ring determine the inhibitory properties of the analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A promoterless gene was stably transfected in rodent fibroblasts to act as a reporter gene for rearrangements resulting in its expression at the different genomic integration sites. Nine clones were isolated which had integrated a varying copy number of at one or more genomic sites but still displayed a Neo phenotype (G418-sensitive). These clones were analyzed for their ability to become Neo (G418-resistant) either spontaneously or after mutagen treatment. They were all able to generate G418-resistant subclones spontaneously at frequencies ranging from 2×10 to 6×10. The acquired G418-resistance was always associated with amplification and enhanced transcription of . No correlation was observed between the frequency of occurrence of G418-resistance and the number of copies or integration sites of . When treated with the mutagens mitomycin C or methylmethane sulfonate, only one clone, RH15, produced G418-resistant subclones in a dose-related fashion. In this mutagen-inducible clone, DNA lesions of a different nature (monoadducts or cross-links) were equally efficient in the induction of G418-resistance. Amplification and enhanced transcription of the gene were observed in both the spontaneous and mutagen-induced G418-resistant subclones of RH15 cell line. These findings indicate that the exogenous gene integrated at different genomic sites was acting as a reporter gene for amplification. Interestingly, while all nine integration sites were observed to amplify spontaneously, only one could be induced to amplify by mutagens. This suggests that different genomic regions display differing susceptibilities to mutagen-mediated amplification. This may be important in view of the major role played by mutagen-mediated gene amplification in carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Alliance Against Cancer (ACC) was established in Rome in 2002 as a consortium of six Italian comprehensive cancer centers (Founders). The aims of ACC were to promote a network among Italian oncologic institutions in order to develop specific, advanced projects in clinical and translational research. During the following years, many additional full and associate members joined ACC, that presently includes the National Institute of Health, 17 research-oriented hospitals, scientific and patient organizations. Furthermore, in the last three years ACC underwent a reorganization process that redesigned the structure, governance and major activities. The present goal of ACC is to achieve high standards of care across Italy, to implement and harmonize principles of modern personalized and precision medicine, by developing cost effective processes and to provide tailored information to cancer patients. We herein summarize some of the major initiatives that ACC is currently developing to reach its goal, including tumor genetic screening programs, establishment of clinical trial programs for cancer patients treated in Italian cancer centers, facilitate their access to innovative drugs under development, improve quality through an European accreditation process (European Organization of Cancer Institutes), and develop international partnerships. In conclusion, ACC is a growing organization, trying to respond to the need of networking in Italy and may contribute significantly to improve the way we face cancer in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]