The AACR Annual Meeting is one of the world's leading events in cancer research, bringing together scientists, clinicians, healthcare professionals, patient advocates and policymakers to discuss the latest advances in oncology. With an expected attendance of around 24,000 participants, the meeting offers a unique platform to showcase successful international collaborations and innovative approaches to cancer research.
The poster highlighted the achievements of the TRANSCAN initiative over the last 15 years, demonstrating how coordinated transnational funding can accelerate innovation, strengthen collaboration across borders and help turn scientific discoveries into benefits for cancer patients.
Since its launch in 2011, TRANSCAN has developed a mature and flexible model for aligning cancer research funding across Europe and beyond. Across its three phases—TRANSCAN, TRANSCAN-2 and TRANSCAN-3—the initiative has continuously adapted its funding priorities to emerging scientific challenges, supporting research in areas such as biomarker validation, cancer prevention, tumour heterogeneity, immunotherapy, early detection, rare cancers, hard-to-treat tumours, cancer epigenetics and combination therapies. Beyond funding research, the initiative has also contributed to capacity building, cross-border networking, stakeholder engagement and the long-term alignment of research priorities among funding organisations.
Importantly, the poster provided an opportunity to present the next chapter of the initiative. Recently awarded a new period of European Commission support, TRANSCAN-4 will continue to strengthen transnational collaboration in translational cancer research over the coming years. The new phase will focus on three strategic priorities:
Empowering early-career researchers;
Strengthening patient engagement in research activities;
Developing a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for 2030-2040 and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the network.
The poster was prepared by representatives of several TRANSCAN funding organisations and partner institutions, reflecting the collaborative spirit that has characterised the initiative since its inception. Among the co-authors were members of Alliance Against Cancer, Chief Scientist Office, Ministry of Health, Israel, Institut National du Cancer, DLR Projektträger, Agência De Investigação Clínica E Inovação Biomédica, Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Cancer Research, Fundación para el Fomento en Asturias de la Investigación Científica y la Tecnología and other leading organisations involved in the network.
By presenting TRANSCAN's achievements and future ambitions at the AACR Annual Meeting, the initiative reaffirmed its commitment to supporting high-quality collaborative research and accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into tangible benefits for cancer patients worldwide. The experience of the past 15 years demonstrates the value of sustained transnational cooperation in cancer research funding and provides a strong foundation for the next chapter of the TRANSCAN initiative.
Poster title: Accelerating Global Impact in Translational Cancer Research: Lessons from 15 Years of the EU TRANSCAN Initiative (#3692)
The poster highlighted the achievements of the TRANSCAN initiative over the last 15 years, demonstrating how coordinated transnational funding can accelerate innovation, strengthen collaboration across borders and help turn scientific discoveries into benefits for cancer patients.
Since its launch in 2011, TRANSCAN has developed a mature and flexible model for aligning cancer research funding across Europe and beyond. Across its three phases—TRANSCAN, TRANSCAN-2 and TRANSCAN-3—the initiative has continuously adapted its funding priorities to emerging scientific challenges, supporting research in areas such as biomarker validation, cancer prevention, tumour heterogeneity, immunotherapy, early detection, rare cancers, hard-to-treat tumours, cancer epigenetics and combination therapies. Beyond funding research, the initiative has also contributed to capacity building, cross-border networking, stakeholder engagement and the long-term alignment of research priorities among funding organisations.
Importantly, the poster provided an opportunity to present the next chapter of the initiative. Recently awarded a new period of European Commission support, TRANSCAN-4 will continue to strengthen transnational collaboration in translational cancer research over the coming years. The new phase will focus on three strategic priorities:
Empowering early-career researchers;
Strengthening patient engagement in research activities;
Developing a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for 2030-2040 and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the network.
The poster was prepared by representatives of several TRANSCAN funding organisations and partner institutions, reflecting the collaborative spirit that has characterised the initiative since its inception. Among the co-authors were members of Alliance Against Cancer, Chief Scientist Office, Ministry of Health, Israel, Institut National du Cancer, DLR Projektträger, Agência De Investigação Clínica E Inovação Biomédica, Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Cancer Research, Fundación para el Fomento en Asturias de la Investigación Científica y la Tecnología and other leading organisations involved in the network.
By presenting TRANSCAN's achievements and future ambitions at the AACR Annual Meeting, the initiative reaffirmed its commitment to supporting high-quality collaborative research and accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into tangible benefits for cancer patients worldwide. The experience of the past 15 years demonstrates the value of sustained transnational cooperation in cancer research funding and provides a strong foundation for the next chapter of the TRANSCAN initiative.
Poster title: Accelerating Global Impact in Translational Cancer Research: Lessons from 15 Years of the EU TRANSCAN Initiative (#3692)