Periodic Reporting for period 2 - TREL (Twinning in Research and Education to improve survival in Childhood Solid Tumours in Lithuania)
Período documentado: 2022-04-01 hasta 2023-12-31
Despite being rare, childhood cancer remains a major public health issue in Europe. Several studies demonstrated that survival rates of childhood cancer in Lithuania were 10-20% below the median European percentage. This was related to insufficient access to European collaborative research activities. This 3-year project aimed to improve the survival of children with cancer (central nervous system, neuroblastoma and renal tumours) in Lithuania by initiating scientific activities and sharing knowledge with more experienced partners.
The specific challenge addressed by the TREL project was insufficient networking between Lithuanian researchers and European leading research centres. Researchers from Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos (VULSK) were involved in twinning activities with eight leading research institutions across Europe aiming to improve scientific, technical and innovation capacities in translational and clinical research.
The overall objective of the TREL project is to increase the research excellence of the VULSK and to enhance its reputation, attractiveness and networking channels in the field of paediatric solid tumours (https://siope.eu/TREL-project). VULSK engagement in collaborative actions will raise the research profile of the coordinating institution and individual scientists. In the long-term perspective, the knowledge gained and innovative technologies will extend beyond the project duration and will help to close the gap in survival rates.
The specific challenge addressed by the TREL project was insufficient networking between Lithuanian researchers and European leading research centres. Researchers from Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos (VULSK) were involved in twinning activities with eight leading research institutions across Europe aiming to improve scientific, technical and innovation capacities in translational and clinical research.
The overall objective of the TREL project is to increase the research excellence of the VULSK and to enhance its reputation, attractiveness and networking channels in the field of paediatric solid tumours (https://siope.eu/TREL-project). VULSK engagement in collaborative actions will raise the research profile of the coordinating institution and individual scientists. In the long-term perspective, the knowledge gained and innovative technologies will extend beyond the project duration and will help to close the gap in survival rates.
From January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023 TREL offered training and education to 49 VULSK professionals (23 researchers and 26 non-researchers). They twinned with 50 counterparts from partner institutions (33 researchers and 37 non-researchers). Nine educational events were organised to address all objectives.
The TREL project had a specific aim of supporting early-stage researchers (ESR). Several dedicated workshops on research methodology were organized. The provided material was captured in „Recommendations for ESR on proper research design and conduct“ available on the VULSK website. Medical and PhD students use them as guidance on research methodology. Six ESRs and two medical students were involved in the TREL activities. Three of them released project-related publications as first authors. Ultimately, a new PhD project on paediatric CNS tumours was initiated based on the project activities.
TREL aimed to increase knowledge sharing in basic and translational research through the incorporation of VULSK researchers into international research groups. VULSK researchers implemented novel diagnostic techniques for CNS tumours, joined the SIOPEN Biology Working group, and started to twin with SIOP-RTSG pathologists, regular training of bioinformaticians was set up, a prospective observational study on tumour samples was launched.
VULSK researchers joined three European tumour-specific research groups (SIOPE-BTG, SIOPEN, and SIOP-RTSG). Thirty patients benefited from multidisciplinary discussions with experts from partner institutions and received individual treatment recommendations. Several international clinical trials and observational studies were initiated and will be rolled out beyond the project duration. This will ensure the optimal diagnostics and treatment for Lithuanian children diagnosed with solid tumours.
Specific knowledge and skills to handle innovative therapies in early-phase clinical trials were provided in a dedicated workshop. Through two secondments, multidisciplinary teams were trained on drug delivery, handling, and monitoring. Thereafter a novel drug delivery and monitoring procedure was implemented at VULSK that will be exploited in clinical trials.
Survivorship Passport (SurPass) was implemented and issued to four Lithuanian survivors. VULSK researchers joined European efforts for the standardization of follow-up recommendations. An assessment of the quality of fertility counselling was launched. Ovarian tissue maturation protocol was developed. A systematic review of minimal infiltrative disease in ovarian cryopreserved tissue was published. All these activities will be continued after the project ends.
The TREL project had a special focus on strengthening research management and coordination of large-scale projects, including proposal preparation, project management, administration, and innovation transfer abilities. A team including project managers, a data protection officer, a lawyer, a statistician, a communication specialist, and clinical trial coordinators received training at partner premises and educational events. The major achievement was the submission of a new Twinning proposal SCARLET under the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2024 that received funding. Thus, twinning on early and late toxicities initiated within the TREL project will be continued.
TREL used the public SIOPE website for dissemination and communication. Quarterly news was released on the SIOPE website, translated into Lithuanian and posted on the VULSK webpage (https://www.santa.lt/horizontas-2020-programa/). The twinning effort was promoted via social media on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. TREL was presented in 23 scientific events, including eight oral presentations. Five peer-reviewed publications and nine conference proceedings were released.
The TREL project had a specific aim of supporting early-stage researchers (ESR). Several dedicated workshops on research methodology were organized. The provided material was captured in „Recommendations for ESR on proper research design and conduct“ available on the VULSK website. Medical and PhD students use them as guidance on research methodology. Six ESRs and two medical students were involved in the TREL activities. Three of them released project-related publications as first authors. Ultimately, a new PhD project on paediatric CNS tumours was initiated based on the project activities.
TREL aimed to increase knowledge sharing in basic and translational research through the incorporation of VULSK researchers into international research groups. VULSK researchers implemented novel diagnostic techniques for CNS tumours, joined the SIOPEN Biology Working group, and started to twin with SIOP-RTSG pathologists, regular training of bioinformaticians was set up, a prospective observational study on tumour samples was launched.
VULSK researchers joined three European tumour-specific research groups (SIOPE-BTG, SIOPEN, and SIOP-RTSG). Thirty patients benefited from multidisciplinary discussions with experts from partner institutions and received individual treatment recommendations. Several international clinical trials and observational studies were initiated and will be rolled out beyond the project duration. This will ensure the optimal diagnostics and treatment for Lithuanian children diagnosed with solid tumours.
Specific knowledge and skills to handle innovative therapies in early-phase clinical trials were provided in a dedicated workshop. Through two secondments, multidisciplinary teams were trained on drug delivery, handling, and monitoring. Thereafter a novel drug delivery and monitoring procedure was implemented at VULSK that will be exploited in clinical trials.
Survivorship Passport (SurPass) was implemented and issued to four Lithuanian survivors. VULSK researchers joined European efforts for the standardization of follow-up recommendations. An assessment of the quality of fertility counselling was launched. Ovarian tissue maturation protocol was developed. A systematic review of minimal infiltrative disease in ovarian cryopreserved tissue was published. All these activities will be continued after the project ends.
The TREL project had a special focus on strengthening research management and coordination of large-scale projects, including proposal preparation, project management, administration, and innovation transfer abilities. A team including project managers, a data protection officer, a lawyer, a statistician, a communication specialist, and clinical trial coordinators received training at partner premises and educational events. The major achievement was the submission of a new Twinning proposal SCARLET under the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2024 that received funding. Thus, twinning on early and late toxicities initiated within the TREL project will be continued.
TREL used the public SIOPE website for dissemination and communication. Quarterly news was released on the SIOPE website, translated into Lithuanian and posted on the VULSK webpage (https://www.santa.lt/horizontas-2020-programa/). The twinning effort was promoted via social media on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. TREL was presented in 23 scientific events, including eight oral presentations. Five peer-reviewed publications and nine conference proceedings were released.
TREL achievements will have the following impact on VULSK:
- Enhance its reputation, attractiveness and visibility as a leading paediatric oncology centre in the Baltic region;
- Improve capability to compete for national and international research funding;
- Improve access to modern diagnostics for all Lithuanian children
- Foster contribution to research initiatives by recruiting patients, pooling tissue samples, collecting data
- Exploit innovation, project and intellectual property management abilities
- increase the number of peer-reviewed publications
TREL will have a sustainable impact in diverse domains:
Economy – the new Twinning project SCARLET attracted additional EU funds.
Society – Lithuanian society gained more confidence in Lithuanian researchers and healthcare providers.
Public policy or services – coordination of the H2020 project increased the visibility and credibility of Lithuania as a country.
Health – rise in research excellence improved clinical care through the optimization of intravenous drug delivery, launch of a late-effect clinic and introduction patient and family informing process on the risk of fertility damage.
Research and science – networks established through the TREL project strengthened the scientific links. Due to the increased visibility, VULSK was approached to join as a project partner in large-scale EU proposals;
Quality of life – implementation of interoperable SurPass empowered Lithuanian childhood cancer survivors to receive identical follow-up care plans as in other European countries.
Despite the challenges in implementation related to COVID-19 restrictions, the project was evaluated as a success story and published on the EU Research and Innovation website (https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/projects/success-stories/all/cross-border-skills-exchange-helps-children-lithuania-get-cancer-treatment-they-deserve).
Ultimately, twinning efforts responded to the actions defined in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan – “Reducing cancer inequalities across the EU” and “Putting childhood cancer under the spotlight”.
- Enhance its reputation, attractiveness and visibility as a leading paediatric oncology centre in the Baltic region;
- Improve capability to compete for national and international research funding;
- Improve access to modern diagnostics for all Lithuanian children
- Foster contribution to research initiatives by recruiting patients, pooling tissue samples, collecting data
- Exploit innovation, project and intellectual property management abilities
- increase the number of peer-reviewed publications
TREL will have a sustainable impact in diverse domains:
Economy – the new Twinning project SCARLET attracted additional EU funds.
Society – Lithuanian society gained more confidence in Lithuanian researchers and healthcare providers.
Public policy or services – coordination of the H2020 project increased the visibility and credibility of Lithuania as a country.
Health – rise in research excellence improved clinical care through the optimization of intravenous drug delivery, launch of a late-effect clinic and introduction patient and family informing process on the risk of fertility damage.
Research and science – networks established through the TREL project strengthened the scientific links. Due to the increased visibility, VULSK was approached to join as a project partner in large-scale EU proposals;
Quality of life – implementation of interoperable SurPass empowered Lithuanian childhood cancer survivors to receive identical follow-up care plans as in other European countries.
Despite the challenges in implementation related to COVID-19 restrictions, the project was evaluated as a success story and published on the EU Research and Innovation website (https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/projects/success-stories/all/cross-border-skills-exchange-helps-children-lithuania-get-cancer-treatment-they-deserve).
Ultimately, twinning efforts responded to the actions defined in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan – “Reducing cancer inequalities across the EU” and “Putting childhood cancer under the spotlight”.