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Prioritising multimodal surgical care for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer across Europe

Objective

This action is part of the Cancer Mission cluster of projects on “Diagnosis and Treatment-Innovative Surgery”.
BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest solid tumour in Europe, with a 5-year survival of 13%. Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) affects >50,000 Europeans annually and is essentially fatal without surgery. In recent years, expert centres have doubled their LAPC-resection rates up to 20% through novel multimodal systemic therapy and surgical techniques. However, randomised trials confirming the benefit of this approach are lacking. In most European countries max 5% of patients with LAPC undergo resection. This inequity translates into survival gaps of 20% between countries, making LAPC one of the clearest examples of cancer inequality in Europe.
AIM: PALACROS will optimise surgery-centred multimodal LAPC-treatment across Europe through training and (randomised) trials.
APPROACH: PALACROS will roll out a pan-European training programme in six mentee countries, doubling surgical resection rates. For durable improvement also in non-expert centres, patient selection will be optimised by developing harmonised eligibility criteria supported by AI-based identification of candidates for LAPC-resection via imaging. Outcome collection is optimised through a Core Outcome Set co-designed with patients including survival, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness.We will perform the first international RCT comparing surgery with MRI-guided stereotactic body radiotherapy after induction chemotherapy to deliver strong evidence of benefit of the multimodal surgical approach in LAPC. This is complemented by two trials on innovative intratumoural therapies. A GDPR/EHDS-compliant federated data and biobank platform will secure sustainability.
IMPACT: PALACROS will double LAPC resection rates from <5% to 10% in at least 6 European countries, extending median survival by 6 months and improving quality of life for thousands of patients. It will provide level-1 evidence to update guidelines, reimbursement, and cancer plans, while embedding training, equity, and patient voices.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

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Funding Scheme

HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MISS-2025-02

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Coordinator

STICHTING AMSTERDAM UMC
Net EU contribution
€ 2 743 550,00
Total cost
€ 2 743 550,00

Participants (21)