Project description
Improve detection and prevention of gallbladder cancer
Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is among the most aggressive cancers. It can only be cured at a very early stage. Unfortunately, GBC does not show signs and symptoms until it is in the advanced phase. Effective prevention and early diagnosis are needed. The EU-funded EULAT Eradicate GBC project will build a European-Latin America GBC biorepository connected to a computing platform that will enable research of the role, influence, and characteristics of a wide range of factors. The goal is to achieve faster detection. Novelty GBC biomarkers will be established. New epidemiological and molecular risks will be identified, leading to more accurate predictions, individualised prevention, and more targeted therapy. Innovative genomic alterations’ data in incidental GBC will enable further clinical trials.
Objective
Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a neglected disease with huge potential for prevention. This project aims at significantly improving the accuracy of risk estimation and early detection of GBC by identifying and adequately considering geographical, environmental, lifestyle, ethnic, gender and molecular differences. We plan to generate the information needed to establish and refine current prevention programmes, including the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of GBC. We will (1) build a unique European–Latin American GBC biorepository integrated into a tailored IT platform, (2) identify, validate and functionally characterize novel GBC biomarkers, (3) develop a multifactorial risk score that integrates established and newly identified epidemiological and molecular risk factors, (4) improve the understanding of the causal mechanisms that link lifestyle, cultural and behavioural factors to GBC development, (5) unravel novel opportunities for the targeted therapy of incidental GBC, (6) exploit existing and newly generated epidemiological and multi-omics data to improve the accuracy of GBC risk prediction and (7) contribute to the training of the next generation of Latin American researchers in precision medicine for GBC. The generated information will permit identification of individuals at high GBC risk, guiding surveillance and individual decisions on the possible benefit of preventive gallbladder removal in regions of low and high GBC incidence. Novel data on genomic alterations in incidental GBC will pave the way towards implementation of future clinical trials. The planned European–Latin American GBC biorepository and IT platform will constitute a prime resource for translational research on individualized prevention, personalized early detection and targeted therapy of GBC. The participation in our project of representatives of health authorities, patients and the industry guarantees the efficient incorporation of project results into national health policies.
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Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
69120 Heidelberg
Germany