News from DCCC

A new national initiative will develop guidelines for research on social inequality, while a new national hematological research network aims to enhance collaboration within the unique field.

Big visions for the future and broad perspectives were in focus during the 'follow-up and late effects'-session at this year's Danish Cancer Research Days. Emphasis was placed on the need for tailored follow-up programs and a more evidence-based approach.

It is both possible and necessary to enhance cancer prevention in the future. This was the main message conveyed by the five presenters during the first session of the Danish Cancer Research Days 2023.

Martin Bøgsted is deeply involved in artificial intelligence studies. He exhibits great enthusiasm for its potential but also emphasizes the importance of healthcare professionals understanding both the advantages and disadvantages, to unlock the full potential of AI.

As a returning element, over 100 Danish researchers will present posters at the Danish Cancer Research Days 2023. However, this year we aim to increase interaction and provide you with the opportunity to explore the research that is most relevant to you. Therefore, there will be an option to sign up for guided poster walks in 10 different tracks.

In this application round, DCCC's fund has been awarded to the establishment of a national network focusing on young adults with cancer, as well as an initiative aiming to facilitate knowledge sharing on health-promoting behavior for cancer patients. Additionally, support is provided for the preparation of a national investigator-initiated study.

According to tradition, seven promising young researchers will have the opportunity to take the stage at the Danish Cancer Research Days 2023. Here, they will present their research and receive the "Exceptional Young Scientist Abstract" award.

CAR T can rightly be called a game changer as it can help patients who would otherwise have no further treatment options.Therefore it is necessary for researchers and clinicians to collaborate across disciplines, so CAR T can benefit as many as possible.

Professor, consultant and chairman of the DCCC's Scientific Council Henrik Frederiksen is particularly looking forward to hearing the many concrete and solution-oriented presentations at the Conference on Inequality in Cancer on 1st of June in Middelfart.

A total of 8 initiatives obtained support from DCCC in the first round of applications in 2023. The high number is a result of an unusually high number of high-quality applications. Read about the 6 activities and 2 networks receiving support in this article.

Call for abstracts for Danish Cancer Research Days 2023 is now open. Ulrik Lassen, who is one of the researchers who will judge the submitted abstracts, believes that this particular Call is worth paying special attention to. A point of view he shares with one of the researchers who submitted his abstract last year. 

Four initiatives were awarded the DCCC's financial support in the latest round of applications. And although they are quite different, ultimately they all focus on increasing survival and quality of life for Danish cancer patients.

Two days. 120 participants. Lots of knowledge. Eight words that briefly and precisely summarise the successful ctDNA symposium, which took place in November with both Danish and international speakers.

The DCCC support has gone towards the establishment of national, interdisciplinary networks with a focus on new surgical techniques and experimental cancer surgery as well as cancer diagnosed during pregnancy. In addition, the preparation of an application for approval for new protocol palliative treatment for patients with cancer of the peritoneum is supported, as well as the preparation of clinical studies on the prevention and treatment of blood clots in esophageal and gastric cancer.

The possibility of more targeted individualised treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema and the use of a new biomarker to support treatment decisions related to recurrence of ovarian cancer are the themes of the two award winners Caroline Lilja and Louise Faaborg. 

More than 500 clinicians, researchers, patients and decision-makers will meet on 25-26 August for Danish Cancer Research Days 2022. Minister of Health Magnus Heunicke opens the conference.

Over one hundred times, the Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center, DCCC, has now supported activities that promote collaboration and knowledge sharing broadly in the field of cancer. It has resulted in over a hundred both large and small contributions to cross-disciplinary collaborations - and strengthened infrastructure for research across the country. DCCC's pool has reached a milestone.

A new national research center is taking its first steps across the field of cancer surgery these months. The Danish Research Center for Cancer Surgery, ACROBATIC, will improve surgery for most cancers and promote collaboration and sharing of 'know-how' between the various parts of a cancer course. A focus on the development of cancer surgery has long been in demand in surgical circles, and now the center is a reality.

Between 20 and 30% of patients with colorectal cancer experience relapse - but we do not know which patients. To increase chances of survival, it is important to detect the cancer faster. Tenna Vesterman Henriksen on being able to identify patients at risk of relapse.

Many women suffer both physical and mental late effects such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, pain, swelling of the arm and reduced shoulder mobility following cancer treatment. A new app supports these women by providing individual feedback. At the same time, new and important knowledge is gained. 

Persons with Type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Unfortunately, many with diabetes do not know that the screening programme for colorectal cancer is particularly relevant for them.

When patients with cancer are treated with radiation therapy, it usually takes 4-5 minutes to give the right dose. But this causes considerable damage to the normal tissue. According to Brita Singers Sørensen, FLASH radiation can deliver the same dose in 0.5 seconds causing considerably fewer side effects.

PRO – Patient Reported Outcome – plays an increasingly important role in research in the healthcare system in Denmark and abroad. Berit Kjærside Nielsen studies how allowing patients to express their wishes and needs in free text sheds light on what is most important to focus on in the doctor-patient meeting.

Glioblastoma is the most frequent and fatal type of brain cancer. There has been no noticeable change in survival of these patients for the past 15 years. A new promising treatment may change this.

A to-day event has taken place where the new DCCC Brain Tumor Center brought together a great deal of dedicated scientists sharing the same goals: to improve survival and quality of life for brain tumor patients.

Young adults aged 18-39 who have been through cancer treatment experience a radical life change. They cannot necessarily do the same things as before and need targeted help, support and training to overcome everyday life and regain quality of life. The young adults should be offered better and more targeted opportunities, says Maria Aagesen, PhD-student in rehabilitation.

DCCC grants 1.4 mio. DKK in total to 8 new projects. These will among other investigate proton therapy, brain cancer and the effect of nutritional interventions among patients with prostate- and rectal cancer.

Would you like to present your research to 500 researchers and clinicians at the largest Danish cancer conference, then submit your abstract now.

Despite a large focus on the current pandemic, Danish oncology researchers and clinicians have kept attention on bettering diagnostics and treatment of cancer patients. DCCC wants to support this important effort, and have funded 9 new projects and networks.

In the past 15 years, survival ship has not improved among patients with the most aggressive brain tumour type, glioblastoma. A new national research centre for brain tumours will change this pattern. Brain tumour patients' future prospects are brightened as the centre collects and maps genomes from all brain tumours, as well as systematically compile data on the treatments' effects.

World's first international conference on anal cancer was planned. Several funds supported the project and the programme was in the making. But then the Corona pandemic hit. In compensation, a smaller webinar was held Thursday, where more than 350 researchers and clinicians from 30 countries participated online.

Danish researchers and oncologists organise a series of talks on late effects specifically targeted at previous and current patients and their relatives. The project is called "No one should be left alone with late adverse effects after cancer treatment" and receives 200,000 DKK funded by DCCC. 

A wish to strengthen Danish national networks within research and treatment in anal cancer has led to a prolific Nordic collaboration. As a result of the successful collaboration, the first international multidisciplinary anal cancer conference is hosted in Denmark in 2021.

Late effects from cancer affect diverse patient groups, and treatment of late effects involves a range of interdisciplinary initiatives. Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center and national research centres for late effects bring focus on research in late effects at a popular science talk on August 27th.

Two new Danish national initiatives have been granted funding from Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center to establish a multidisciplinary network on focal therapy for prostate cancer, and to organise a national head and neck cancer day, where patients and professionals share knowledge across sectors.

Two Danish National research projects have been granted funding from the Danish Cancer society to study effect of specific medicines on rare blood and bone marrow cancers and soft tissue sarcomas.

The coming five years, DCCC Danish Research Centre for circulating tumor DNA guided treatment will pave the way for the introduction of ground-breaking methods for diagnosing and determining treatment and follow up strategies for cancer patients by ctDNA analysis. The aim of research activities is to identify and document the promising clinical advantages of the methods that could set new standards for cancer treatment.

National research centre for childhood cancer (CONTROL) will facilitate national Danish collaboration on paediatric oncology research across disciplines and fields. Research collaborations are already initiated, and the national coordination is expected to contribute to more targeted initiatives.

Upon the latest directions from Danish health authorities, Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center and Danish Multidisciplinary Cancer Groups have decided to cancel Danish Cancer Research Days 2020. The conference was scheduled for August 27th and 28th.  

With a coordinated and effective effort between the Danish haematological departments, a nationwide study on coronavirus infection among patients with haematological diseases is initiated in a short timespan. The study is now open for haematological patients and it is expected that the entire oncological field will soon be included

Danish Multidisciplinary Cancer Groups and Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center invites all those interested to submit abstracts about research projects, clinical trials or other research activities related to cancer and thus get the opportunity to present the research at Danish Cancer Research Days 2020. The conference will once again form the setting for an overview of current Danish cancer research.

The object of The ProTarget project is to test target specific cancer medicaments on other types of cancer. The project is anchored in a long-standing national cooperation between the Danish experimental cancer treatment units.

Patients associations, clinicians, researchers and health care administrators were gathered on December 17, 2019 to discuss how we strengthen the focus on late effects following cancer and how we improve helping the patients in the course, across sectors.

A three-year grant from the Danish Cancer Society has recently been assigned to a project investigating the effects and side effects of treatment with checkpoint immunotherapy for patients with kidney cancer. Data consists of laboratory data and patient reported outcome data and the results are expected to contribute to the development of the treatment methods, potentially for other cancer diseases.

On November 1, DCCC Radiotherapy and the Department of Oncology at Aarhus University Hospital hosted a much requested workshop on stereotactic radiotherapy for bone oligometastatic disease. One of the key takeaways from the workshop is the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment with the specific type of radiotherapy. 

Danish Cancer Society grants 50 million from the 2019 'Knæk Cancer' Funds to establish the National Research Centre for Treatment Guided by cancer DNA in the blood and the National Research Centre for Childhood Cancer.

How do we improve in preventing colorectal cancer? This was the theme of a successful SATC & DCCC symposium, which gathered experts with different takes on prevention. 

Since the establishment of DCCC in 2017, 58 projects and networks have received support for activities in the cancer area. What charactarises the activities is the importance of the national and multidisciplinary perspective. This is being emphasized in a new guide for potential applicants of the DCCC fund.

Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center (DCCC) and Danish Multidisciplinary Cancer Groups (DMCG.dk) hosted the annual conference Danish Cancer Research Days in August for the second time. Participants and stakeholders displayed a great interest, and the conference days were filled with commitment and dialogue about strengths and barriers for further collaboration.

Professor Diana Sarfati is appointed as the Ministry of Health's National Director of the newly established cancer control agency in New Zealand. At Danish Cancer Research Days 2019, Professor Diana Sarfati gave a presentation on the impact of comorbidity on cancer care.

A highly qualified-list of candidates means that more than one million DKK is allocated to three new initiatives and three new networks in the cancer area. The Steering Committee of DCCC notes that all new initiatives ensure support and collaboration from a wide range of actors in advance. 

Danish Cancer Research Days 2019 hope to repeat last year's success, where 450 clinicians, researchers, patient associations and healthcare politicians participated.

DCCC Age (Danish OncoGEriatric Network) held a two-day seminar in February focusing on geriatric tools for oncogeriatric research with participants from all Danish regions.

The Steering Committee in DCCC has decided to retain the opportunity to apply for funding of national and multidisciplinary networks and initiatives in the field of cancer in 2019. 

Once again, the organisers of Danish Cancer Research Days, DCCC and DMCG.dk, wish to draw a map of the on-going research in the cancer field in Denmark. We invite all those interested to send in abstracts on research projects, clinical trials or other research activities related to cancer.

By the end of January, the network group NEXT Bioinformatics held a Genome Analyses Toolkit workshop with support from DCCC. The workshop focused on the newest bioinformatics techniques for treatment of genetic information that are crucial for research and implementation of personalized medicine in cancer treatment.

The first national symposium on Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) was held on November 27 and 28 with participation of 67 doctors, medical physicists, radiographers, treatment personnel and bio-analysts.

In early November 2018 the DCCC NOAC network held "The First Multidisciplinary Nordic Symposium on Anal Cancer"

Two new, national research centres each receives DKK 20 million from Knæk Cancer 2018: Danish Research Center for Precision Medicine in Blood Cancer and Danish Research Centre for Social Inequality in Survivorship

IMMUNONET hosted a Public-Private Partnership workshop on immune-oncology with 80 participants from all over Denmark.

The conference Danish Cancer Research Days in the last part of August was a success with fruitful professional discussions, knowledge sharing and a high number of participants, the organisers behind the conference as well as participants agreed. The next step is to continue the work to strengthen the national collaboration on cancer. 

At the recent Danish Cancer Research Days, Mette Tranberg presented her research on an HPV home test, which makes more women participate in the screening programme for cervical cancer. 

At the recent Danish Cancer Research Days, Siv Lykke Jørgensen presented her research on robotic surgery as a safe treatment with fewer complications in early stages of cancer of the uterus. This presentation won a poster award from the organisers of the conference, Danish Cancer Research Center (DCCC) and Danish Multidisciplinary Cancer Groups (DMCG.dk).

Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center (DCCC) has allocated DKK 1.2 million to nine projects and networks strengthening cancer research and treatment in Denmark

The Danish Health Authority will administrate a total of DKK 60 million, allocating DKK 15 million each year from 2018 to 2021 involving Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center (DCCC).

Danish Cancer Research Days is a new, national initiative from DCCC - Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center and DMCG.dk (Danish Multidisciplinary Cancer Groups), the purpose of which is for clinicians, scientists and researchers to meet across disciplines and to bring basic and clinical research closer together.

Many things have happened since the Danish government decided to establish the Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center (DCCC) in November 2016, to strengthen cancer research and treatment in Denmark.

One of the first initiatives of Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center (DCCC) in 2017 was to assign an annual amount to support establishment of national, interdisciplinary environments and networks as well as to develop interdisciplinary qualifying initiatives.