canSERV: Supporting cutting-edge cancer research

As everyone's experience with cancer is unique, research initiatives must respond to individual needs throughout the full research and development cycle, from fundamental and translational work to clinical application.

canSERV is an EU-funded project under the Horizon Europe programme that delivers interdisciplinary, tailored oncology research services that span the entire cancer continuum.

BBMRI-ERIC is coordinating the canSERV project which involves 18 European partners. These contributors are research infrastructures, leading oncology organisations and experts in project management and sustainability. To coincide with World Cancer Day, Horizon Magazine has published an article exploring the impact of canSERV.

Microbiome changes during paediatric cancer treatment 

While cancer is difficult at any age, childhood cancer carries an especially profound toll. We now visit researchers at BBMRI.lv’s Biomedical Research and Study Centre (BMC) who are working with families affected by childhood cancer on the Gut and Oral Microbiome Dynamics in Childhood Cancer project.

The project studies the gut and oral microbiome of nearly all newly diagnosed paediatric cancer patients in Latvia across the course of their treatment. Researchers collect stool and oral swab samples from newly diagnosed cancer patients at multiple points, starting before treatment and continuing during and after. The goal is to understand how the microbiome changes over time and to identify microbiome markers linked to disease course, treatment response and complications.

To date, the Latvian National Biobank has collected faecal and oral microbiome samples from more than 80 paediatric patients with various malignant tumour diagnoses as part of the project. Samples were collected up to eight times before, during and after chemotherapy, resulting in a collection of more than 600 samples.

Read an interview with Dr. Monta Brīvība, Principal Investigator at BMC, on the project and the importance of studying the microbiome in children with cancer.

GenomeHealth & PREV-GEN

Knowing reliable genetic risk factors for certain cancer types can be a game changer for early diagnosis and treatment. However, dedicated research is needed to understand the connection between a mutation in a specific gene and the associated risk of developing cancer. In addition, also a patient's response to a particular treatment can depend on genetic predispositions.

Our next stop is Finland, where a dedicated research project aims to better understand high-risk variants of cancer susceptibility genes. The GenomeHealth project was a national initiative launched in 2021 across six Finnish hospital biobanks. It explored how genomic information from biobank samples can support personalised care, early disease detection and prevention in breast and ovarian cancer.

Carriers of rare high-risk variants of cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 were screened and validated from genotyping data produced from over 200,000 biobank samples. Together with medical geneticists and genetics nurses, the biobanks developed uniform processes, tools and counselling materials enabling research findings to be transferred to biobank participants for the benefit of their health.

Participants were then referred to diagnostic testing and genetic counselling so that they could make informed decisions about follow-up, preventive measures or treatment. The project also successfully leveraged MyBiobank (a digital service operated by BBMRI.fi’s Fingenious®), which streamlines information sharing and consent with participants.

In a follow up project, PREV-GEN (PREVentative outreach with GENetic testing) results of the GenomeHealth project were undertaken to determine the feasibility of screening for common cancer genes and the downstream application of findings in preventative healthcare.

German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)

Scientists require sizeable amounts of information to develop and refine diagnostic procedures and personalised cancer therapies. Coordinated within the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), BioDataHub is Germany’s largest oncological biobank network, uniting 10 university biobanks (including those of BBMRI.de / the German Biobank Network, GBN) to provide high-quality biospecimens for cancer research.

Findings derived from these samples are translated into clinical trials at the National Centers for Tumor Diseases (NCT), with the aim of advancing personalised therapies. Biospecimens collected within these trials are reintegrated into subsequent DKTK research projects, creating a continuous cycle to improve the understanding and treatment of cancer.

Explore the infographic below to view the pathways for data and samples within the Hub.

YouCell: Cell-based tumour models for cancer research

When cancer patients undergo surgery, native cancer tissue is sometimes used to establish cell cultures and cell-based tumour models. These isolated cells can be further cultivated in the lab and used for experiments.

Such tumour models are especially useful tools for translational cancer research, which aims to bring innovative research from the lab stage into clinical practise.

On our next stop we visit the cell bank YouCell at the Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz (BBMRI.at partner and host of Biobank Graz), which houses patient-donated materials collected with informed consent for future research.

YouCELL focuses on developing standardised processes for the extraction, characterisation and long-term storage of patient-specific cell materials. These include cells from different tumour entities (e.g., melanoma, carcinoma, sarcomas), cells from the tumour environment as well as healthy cells from patients.

Patient-matched healthy cells are especially valuable for research. Commercial cell banks typically provide only isolated tumour cell lines, however, rarely include these patient-matched non-malignant cells (e.g., stromal components or cancer-associated fibroblasts). The cell biobanking approach from the Medical University of Graz addresses these limitations by providing comprehensively characterised, patient-matched cellular systems.

Dr. Rinner is Head of the research unit Translational Tissue Engineering at Med Uni Graz, where these patient-derived models from tumour and normal tissues are developed. By preserving each patient’s individual biological profile while supporting standardised, collaborative research of these models, the project ensures that studies reflect the unique needs and characteristics of every donor.

Digitisation of cancer tissue and associated data - MD Anderson Foundation (BBMRI.es)

The comprehensive digitisation of cancer tissue and associated data is a transformative step for oncology research. The MD Anderson Foundation, part of BBMRI.es, is digitising its archive of over 400,000 oncological cases across all cancer types into high-resolution whole slide images, with complete parametric annotation covering more than 20 years of clinical follow-up.

Anonymised information is being generated in parallel, incorporating all demographic data, SNOMED-coded diagnoses, clinical staging parameters, treatments received, clinical response and follow-up with annotation of the major events (metastasis, death, progression-free survival and overall survival times).

At the same time, a curated database of associated metadata will be created, bringing together all available pathological, phenotypic, genomic and transcriptomic information as well as data generated in new prospective projects.

The goal of this virtual biobank project is to create an innovative foundation model incorporating AI trained on huge datasets, allowing it to understand complex patterns of cancer biology and perform diverse tasks (e.g. images, molecular data, text, codes) with minimal adaptation. It will serve as an open and versatile dataset for many researchers worldwide, especially for any discipline within the field of onco-haematology.

IRYCIS Biobank - Ramón y Cajal Hospital

Pancreatic cancer is among the most aggressive and is difficult to detect early on. As a result, most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, significantly limiting treatment options. For more than 10 years, the Ramón y Cajal Hospital – IRYCIS Biobank, part of BBMRI.es, has collected over 12,000 samples from both pancreatic cancer patients and those at high risk.

The samples and their associated data have already been used in at least 18 research projects, providing valuable insight into this pathology. Starting in 2020, IRYCIS began developing patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models linked to some of these samples, which represent a cutting-edge technology greatly needed in current biomedical research.

Beyond the samples and data, the multidisciplinary team at IRYCIS stresses the importance of focusing on patients as people. They collaborate frequently with patient associations, listen to patient opinions and experiences and pay special attention to a more personalised approach through biomodels, generated for each individual patient.

Developing specialised collections for cancer research - The BBMRI-ERIC CRC-Cohort

BBMRI-ERIC works to maximise the use of samples and data to support innovative cancer research. One example is the BBMRI-ERIC CRC-Cohort, a large-scale European initiative to improve the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer.

Building on collections all across Europe, the CRC-Cohort assembled comprehensive datasets and tissue materials from more than 10,500 European colorectal cancer patients.

While assembling these datasets, BBMRI-ERIC established a robust framework to ensure data protection and quality assurance. This model established with the CRC-Cohort can be used to guide the development of other specialised collections in the future.

In the framework of the CRC-Cohort, more specialised collections like the CRC-Cohort digital pathology imaging collection are also being developed. Making imaging data from the collection available opens new doors, such as advancing imaging-based diagnosis technologies, including AI tools.

Read more about the BBMRI-ERIC CRC-Cohort and the importance of the responsible sharing of sensitive health data: Sharing sensitive data in life sciences: an overview of centralized and federated approaches.

We will revisit the topic of colorectal cancer in our next stop when we explore how the active involvement of patients in research studies is fundamental in understanding and meeting the needs of all cancer patients.

OUTLIVE-CRC 

Colorectal cancer predominantly affects older adults but the numbers of younger patients is growing. In Germany, more than 3,000 people under the age of 50 are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year. The OUTLIVE-CRC study, supported by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, explores how lifestyle, nutrition and biological research can help address individual disease trajectories.

The study is led by an interdisciplinary German research consortium focused on prognosis, recurrence and long-term quality of life in colorectal cancer patients under 50. The Interdisciplinary Centre for Biobanking Lübeck (ICB-L), part of BBMRI.de / German Biobank Network, is responsible for all biobanking activities in the study providing blood and stool samples linked to clinical and follow-up data. These resources support biomarker research across multiple molecular levels.

A distinctive feature of the study is the structured involvement of patient representatives, ensuring that patient perspectives and needs are considered throughout the research process.

To learn more about the work of patient representatives, we spoke to Andreas Murglat, patient representative in the OUTLIVE-CRC study. The interview is in German with English captions. View a transcript here.

The BBMRI-ERIC Stakeholder Forum Patients and Citizens’ Pillar

Actively involving patients in research projects, hearing their voices and understanding their experiences is key to patient-oriented research. Patient organisations are the connecting links between researchers and patients.

The BBMRI-ERIC Stakeholder Forum Patients and Citizens’ Pillar unites patient organisations from across Europe to help shape BBMRI-ERIC’s biobanking related priorities and policies. Currently, the Pillar includes 20 patient organisations from 13 BBMRI-ERIC Member States and Observers and seven EU-wide patient organisations.

Within BBMRI-ERIC, the Patient Pillar guides the direction of the organisation over key issues such as paediatric biobanking, cancer research and the European Health Data Space Initiative. These themes also support wider pan-European projects.

In a 2023 two-part episode of the BBMRI-ERIC podcast, two members of the Patient Pillar, Kathi Apostolidis and Dr. Stephanie Houwaart, explored their personal experiences on why patient advocacy and the Patient Pillar matters.

Two BBMRI-ERIC Patient Pillar organisations are marking World Cancer Day with conferences focused on advancing patient-centred cancer care.

The Swedish Network Again Cancer is holding the From Knowledge to Action event built around the themes of time, trust, and security—highlighting practical pathways to improve quality of life for patients and their families.

• TIME is about ensuring the right care at the right time.
• TRUST is built on genuine collaboration between patients and healthcare providers.
• SECURITY is created through predictable, equitable and high-quality care.

Prior to the conference on 4 February, three digital breakfasts moderated by a patient advocate will be held to explore the themes and set the stage for concrete commitments and action.

The Hellenic Cancer Federation - ELLOK is organising its 10th Annual Conference titled People at the Centre - Bridging Pathways of Care.

The conference places patients at its core and underscores the importance of a holistic approach to cancer care. Guided by European and international frameworks, ELLOK aims to connect expertise, innovation and policy, and to strengthen collaboration across all stages of the cancer care continuum seeking to translate research and knowledge into tangible, meaningful improvements for patients throughout Greece.

Dr. Sissy Kolyva from the Department of Promotion and Networking at the Institut Pasteur Hellenique in Athens is taking that stage to represent BBMRI-ERIC in her role as Vice-Chair of BBMRI-ERIC’s Steering Committee.

Advancing patient engagement in cancer research - The PERIFORMANCE project

Patient involvement requires not only personal engagement but supporting structures and strategies. The recently launched EU-funded project Public Engagement in Research Infrastructures for Mission Cancer: managing complexity of emerging technologies (PERIFORMANCE) will advance local action under the EU Cancer Mission using federated biobanking as a key platform for transdisciplinary research and innovation across Europe.

The project is coordinated by BBMRI-ERIC and brings together patients, healthcare professionals, industry partners and policymakers through a “quadruple helix approach”, moving beyond traditional patient and public involvement models to facilitate more inclusive and systemic collaboration.

With a strong focus on the role of artificial intelligence and the European Health Data Space (EHDS) in biobanking, PERIFORMANCE addresses the broader sociotechnical transformations shaping cancer research. By embedding ethical, legal and societal considerations into its work, the project aims to strengthen public trust in the responsible use of data and emerging technologies.

Watch Maria Nomikou, Director of the Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELLOK), discuss the importance of the project and ELLOK's involvement.