DCCC supports two new research initiatives, a national seminar, and the continuation of a DCCC network in the first funding rounds of the year

DCCC supports the preparation of a national, multidisciplinary investigator-initiated cohort study aimed at strengthening the evidence base for treatment decisions in patients with non-metastatic kidney cancer

Each year, approximately 1,200 people in Denmark are diagnosed with kidney cancer, increasingly at earlier stages where several treatment options are available. At the same time, there is considerable variation in treatment choices across the country, and decisions are often made based on limited evidence.

The study will be designed to generate high-quality real-world data across all current treatment strategies, including active surveillance, local ablation, nephron-sparing surgery, and radical nephrectomy. These data are expected to improve the quality of clinical decision-making, strengthen patient involvement, and promote more consistent treatment across Denmark.

The study will be conducted as a nationwide collaboration involving all eight urological departments in Denmark and is expected to enrol nearly 6,000 patients.

Funding from DCCC supports essential preparatory activities, including national coordination, protocol development, submission to the Danish Health Research Ethics Committee system, development of patient information materials, establishment of a patient advisory panel, and development of a REDCap database.

About the study
Randomised trials in this patient group are challenging to conduct. The study therefore uses a target trial emulation approach to compare the effects of different treatment strategies based on prospective cohort data. The aim is to strengthen the evidence base for clinical decision-making, minimise overtreatment, and support more consistent treatment of non-metastatic kidney cancer in Denmark.

DCCC has funded 200,000 DKK to the project

Read more about the study and project stakeholders: Danish national prospective cohort study of non-metastatic kidney cancer.

DCCC supports the preparation of a clinical study investigating whether faecal microbiota transplantation can prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation.

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the only curative treatment for a variety of malignanthaematological diseases. In Denmark, these transplantations are performed at Aarhus University Hospital and Rigshospitalet only, and the treatment is associated with severe complications, most notably GVHD, which affects up to 50% of patients

A growing body of evidence has highlighted the central role of the gut microbiota in outcomes after allo-HSCT. Preliminary observational studies and small pilot trials suggest that faecal microbiota transplantation may ameliorate GVHD. However, it remains insufficiently explored whether early restoration of the gut microbiome after transplantation can prevent the development of GVHD.

The study is planned as an investigator-initiated, randomised, and placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial.

Funding from DCCC will support the development of the clinical protocol, preparation of regulatory approvals, collaboration agreements and grant applications, as well as meetings with project stakeholders.

About the study
The primary aim of the study is to investigate whether early restoration of a healthy gut microbiome following stem cell transplantation can reduce the risk of severe GVHD. In addition, the study will assess disease severity, infectious complications, overall mortality, non-relapse mortality, as well as symptoms and changes in the gut microbiome.

DCCC has funded 200,000 DKK to the project

Read more about the study and project stakeholders: Faecal microbiota transplantation for the prevention of graft versus host disease after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a randomised, double-blind study.

DCCC supports the organisation of a national seminar that will bring together key stakeholders to share knowledge on how to increase participation in Danish cancer screening programme

Participation in screening programmes for for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer remains lower than desired, and both regional variation and social inequality are evident. This reduces the full effectiveness of the screening programmes and is therefore a priority area in Cancer Plan V.

Across regions and screening programs, many initiatives have been tested to increase participation. However, only some of these have been systematically evaluated and published.

The seminar will bring together clinicals, researchers,

The seminar will bring together clinicians, researchers, healthcare administrators, and representatives from national steering groups and clinical quality databases to exchange knowledge and experience and to develop new ideas on how to strengthen participation

The seminar will be organised in collaboration with the national screening steering groups.

Purpose of the seminar
The seminar aims to promote knowledge sharing across regions and screening programmes and to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders. This will support ongoing dialogue and exchange of experience across professional groups, screening programmes, and regions.

The experiences and ideas generated during the seminar will be compiled into a shared catalogue to inform future efforts to improve screening participation.

DCCC has funded 45,966 DKK to the project

Read more about the seminar and project stakeholders: Seminar on increasing participation in cancer screening.