CA18117 - European network for Gynaecological Rare Cancer research: From Concept to Cure (GYNOCARE)

Approximately 18.5 million women annually are affected by gynaecological cancer, from which approximately 50% are classified as rare cancers. Delayed diagnosis of patients suffering from rare gynaecological cancers leads to poor outcomes and contributes to a huge socio-economic burden. This field is lagging due to distinct scientific and technological challenges that gynaecological cancer research faces. Currently, the overall efforts for addressing these challenges are fragmented across different European countries (and beyond).  

GYNOCARE aims to address these challenges by creating a unique network between key stakeholders covering five distinct domains (from concept to cure): basic research on rare gynaecological cancer, biobanking, industrial dimension, legal and regulatory requirements for international trials and other research collaborative efforts, and high-quality, international, and innovative clinical trials. To achieve our ambitious goals, we have devised research coordination and capacity building objectives in accordance with mission and vision of the COST Action.

GYNOCARE will focus on (1) capacity-building on rare gynaecological cancer by connecting high-quality scientific communities in various disciplines, existing networks, policy-makers, industrial partners, and patient organisations across Europe and beyond; (2) coordinating, and contributing to the development of a research roadmap dedicated to connect (innovative) basic research to (harmonised) biobanking to ‘smarter’ clinical trials; (3) the development of a platform for sharing best practices, including funding roadmap and legal/ethical requirements, in gynaecological cancers – aiming to advice policy-makers and other key stakeholders;  and (4) providing (equal) networking opportunities for early-stage researchers, and other talented young professionals.