Engaging European society at the forefront of cancer research and care: How discussions at the 5th Gago Conference on European Science policy led to the Heidelberg Manifesto

European cancer research stakeholders met in October 2022 in Heidelberg, Germany, at the 5th Gago conference on European Cancer Policy, to discuss the current cancer research and cancer care policy landscape in Europe. Meeting participants highlighted gaps in the existing European programmes focusing on cancer research, including Europe's Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP), the Mission on Cancer (MoC), Understanding Cancer (UNCAN.eu), and the joint action CRANE, and put forward the next priorities, in the form of the Heidelberg Manifesto for cancer research. This meeting report presents all discussions that shed light on how infrastructures can be effectively shaped for translational, prevention, clinical and outcomes cancer research, with a focus on implementation and sustainability and while engaging patients and the public. In addition, we summarize recommendations on how to introduce frameworks for the digitalization of European cancer research. Finally, we discuss what structures, commitment, and resources are needed to establish a collaborative cancer research environment in Europe to achieve the scale required for innovation.

Probable drug-drug interaction between erlotinib and amiodarone causes severe neurotoxicity in a patient with advanced lung cancer.

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are of great concern in the treatment of cancer, especially when target therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, are being used. Here, we report a case of probable DDI between erlotinib and amiodarone leading to severe neurotoxicity. Amiodarone inhibits P-glycoprotein (P-gp), for which erlotinib is a substrate. P-gp is an important drug transporter that is involved in limiting the blood-brain barrier penetration of erlotinib. Clinicians should be aware of emerging data characterizing the effect of the P-gp transport system on drug exposure and its potential for DDI.

[Merkel cell cancer of the skin: population-based incidence and survival, 1995-2005]. / Carcinoma de células de Merkel cutáneo: incidencia y supervivencia poblacional, 1995-2005.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the population-based incidence and survival of primary Merkel cell carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1995 to December 2005, 19 patients diagnosed with primary Merkel cell carcinoma were recruited in the population-based Cancer Registry of Girona. RESULTS: The age-adjusted incidence was 1,3 per 10(6) person-year; higher in males (1,5) than in females (1,1). Cases occurred mostly in people older than 65 years (94,7%), especially involving the head (79%). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this study is the first to define the incidence and survival of Merkel cell carcinoma in Europe. The age-adjusted incidence of primary Merkel cell carcinoma in our area is similar than the age-adjusted incidence of the 2000 US standard population.

[Epidemiology of cervical invasive cancer in the Gerona health area in 1980-1989. Cancer registry of Gerona]. / Epidemiología del cáncer invasor de cérvix en el área sanitaria de Girona durante el período 1980-1989. Registro poblacional de cáncer de Gerona.

BACKGROUND: The goal of the present work is to carry out a descriptive study about the impact of invasive cervical cancer in the area of Gerona, Spain. METHODS: Using data from the population based cancer registry of Gerona for the period 1980-89, several incidence rates were calculated. Incidence trends, demographical distribution and survival according of different variables were analyzed. RESULTS: The average age in which the disease appears was 57 +/- 14 years; the most frequent histological type was the squamous cell carcinoma; 51% of the cases were women born in Cataluña and the remaining percentage corresponds to women from others regions and foreigners. At the moment of diagnosis, el 36% of the cases were local, 34% were regional and 23% disseminated. Crude, standardized and truncated (35-64 years) incidence rates, during 1980 to 1989 were de 8.2, 6.2 and 13.7 cases x 105 women respectively. According to the cumulative rate, 1 in 150 women will have this cancer by age 74. No increase of the trend has been found, however, a significative subincidence has been observed in rural areas. 5-years survival rates is 48.5% and was significantly associated with stage at diagnosis, but age was not. CONCLUSION: From an international viewpoint, Gerona is a low incident area for this tumour and no rising trend has been found. The subincidence in rural areas may suggest a different exposition to risk factors, although certain aspects such as accessibility to health care services, the defining of rural and urban areas and the existence of migrations should be considered. Finally, the lower survival rate with regard to other countries could be attributed to the presence of more advanced stages, which emphasizes the importance that the early diagnosis of this tumour has.