6 initiatives receive support from DCCC in the first application round of 2024. The next deadline is April 22, 2024. Photo: DCCC.
11-03-2024
6 initiatives have received support from DCCC in the first application round of 2024. Read more about the new initiatives in this article.
In the first application round of 2024, a total of 6 initiatives received support from DCCC's fund. This means that in this round, we are distributing a total of over 1 million Danish kroner.
Specifically, support has been granted to 5 initiatives aiming to prepare national investigator-initiated studies and 1 initiative seeking to explore knowledge on specific topics across the country.
The initiatives cover a wide range, and DCCC has assessed them as having the potential to enhance national collaboration and contribute to ensuring that Danish cancer patients have access to the best research-based diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up.
Read more about the initiatives that received support in this round below. If you have a national interdisciplinary initiative that can help strengthen collaboration within cancer research and treatment, submit your application before the deadline of the next application round. Read the funding announcement, click here.
Systemic treatment of obesity in breast cancer patients - a clinical feasibility trial
Approximately 65% of Danish breast cancer patients are overweight, and 21% suffer from obesity. Overweight is known to increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence, which is a concerning factor.
In recent years, several medications for obesity have been introduced to the market, which are used by many, including cancer patients. Unfortunately, there is a lack of evidence regarding the safety of concurrently using weight loss medication alongside cancer treatment. There is also uncertainty about whether cancer patients will experience the same weight-reducing effect of the medication as individuals without cancer or cancer treatment.
This initiative aims to prepare a national clinical trial to investigate the effect and safety of medically induced weight loss during cancer treatment. The purpose of this study is to determine whether it is effective and safe for breast cancer patients to use weight loss medication during their cancer treatment. The results are expected to significantly contribute to clinical practice and guidance regarding medically induced weight loss in cancer patients.
Sexual dysfunction after radiotherapy for rectal cancer
Radiation therapy and surgery constitute an important part of the standard treatment for rectal cancer. Unfortunately, many patients experience a disruption in their sexual function after treatment. However, when planning radiation therapy, consideration of the normal pelvic tissues affecting sexual function is not common practice due to a lack of understanding about the appropriate radiation dose and relevant organs.
This initiative aims to prepare a study focused on optimizing radiation therapy for rectal cancer by preserving the organs that impact sexual function, with the goal of improving patients' quality of life.
To conduct the study, a questionnaire about sexual function needs to be developed. A national database for collecting questionnaires before and after radiation therapy must be established. Additionally, a strategy for radiation therapy and identification of the normal tissues affecting sexual function needs to be developed, ensuring national consistency and implementation.
National clinical trial CURE Lung: Reirradiation for new or recurrent intra-thoracic tumours
The number of long-term survivors after thoracic cancer is increasing, and many of these patients have been treated with radiation therapy (RT). Unfortunately, some of these patients experience relapse or develop new cancerous growths near the previously irradiated area. Some of these patients may benefit from repeat radiation therapy (reRT) with a high radiation dose for curative purposes. However, there is a significant risk of severe side effects with reRT, as there are no established dose limits for normal tissue, and the literature in this area is limited to small studies. Additionally, combining two radiation doses is complex and uncertain.
This initiative aims to prepare a clinical trial where patients receiving reRT for lung tumors are registered. The purpose of the trial is to collect data on survival, side effects from both radiation treatments, and any systemic treatment. The group behind the application intends to develop safe methods for comparing and aggregating radiation doses.
Establishment of a Danish research network for preparation for a randomized trial comparing photon- and proton radiotherapy
Sino-nasal cancer is a rare disease with approximately 40 cases per year in Denmark. The disease has a grave prognosis and significant late side effects. The standard treatment consists of surgery and radiation therapy, either separately or in combination. Proton beam therapy is a possible treatment method that could potentially target the cancerous tumor more precisely with radiation while reducing the dose to the surrounding healthy organs.
This initiative has been given the opportunity to participate in a British study called PROTIS - a phase III trial comparing proton beam therapy to intensity-modulated radiation therapy for the treatment of sino-nasal cancer. The study will randomize patients to receive either proton beam therapy or conventional radiation therapy and is expected to include 276 patients over a period of 3 years. In addition to assessing tumor control, the study will also investigate the long-term effects of the treatment.
Participation in PROTIS is anticipated to yield several professional benefits, notably a substantial enhancement in treatment alternatives and the quality of life for patients.
National meeting on pleural and peritoneal metastases
When cancer spreads to the pleura and peritoneum, it is most often a sign of end-stage disease. Unfortunately, many primary cancers (stomach, colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic, lung and breast) are prone to disseminate into the pleura and peritoneum. The problem is substantial, the prognosis is poor and, with few exceptions, treatments are solely palliative. There is an urgent need for new initiatives that can contribute to prevention, early detection, and the development of new treatments to improve survival chances.
Due to the complex and varied nature of these cancer types, there is a need for increased multidisciplinary and national efforts. The purpose of this initiative is to gather a national expert group for interdisciplinary discussions on the current treatment situation and specific opportunities for research and development. The goal is to garner support for the establishment of a permanent national expert group open to all with an interest in this important yet often overlooked patient group.
The effects of high dose dexamethasone in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pulmonary cancer
Every year, more than 1000 patients undergo surgery for lung cancer in Denmark. Following surgery, there is often a need for pain-relieving medication, including opioids. However, the side effects of these medications and inadequate pain relief can lead to complications and impair the healing process for patients. Acute postoperative pain is also associated with the risk of developing chronic pain.
In other types of surgery, it has been found that a single dose of corticosteroids can reduce pain, nausea, confusion, sleep disturbances, and fatigue after surgery - all factors that can hinder the patient's return to their normal activity level. Although corticosteroids have only been studied in small trials in lung cancer surgery, the results have been promising.
This initiative aims to prepare a study with the purpose of analyzing the short-term and long-term effects of corticosteroids during VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) on lung-related complications, pain experiences, and perceived recovery of the patient. Additionally, the safety of the treatment will be examined, particularly concerning the risk of infections and cancer recurrence. The project will also include a health economic analysis to assess the potential benefits of the treatment, including a reduction in the number of hospital admissions, the need for intensive care, and lost earnings.