Important EU Project

26/05/2025

IMPORTANT Project in Madrid – 4th Consortium Meeting 🇪🇸📍

On May 23, 2025, partners of the IMPORTANT Project came together in Madrid for the 4th consortium meeting, held at the Faculty of Psychology, UNED (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia).

It was a full day of collaboration — sharing progress, exchanging ideas and planning the next steps of the project. The agenda included presentations, discussions and creative sessions focused on enhancing patient support and advancing the project's research goals.

The meeting highlighted the value of working together in person, strengthening connections across the consortium and reinforcing the project's shared commitment.

The evening before, on May 22, the consortium partners enjoyed a warm and welcoming dinner, offering space for informal conversations and a great start to the meeting.

13/03/2025

Advancing hashtag Research & Improving hashtag Across Europe

A major breakthrough in oncology: a new type of medication has been shown to significantly improve survival rates for triple-negative breast cancer patients, compared to traditional chemotherapy.

Antonis Valachis, senior oncologist at the Oncology Clinic at Örebro University Hospital and coordinator of IMPORTANT EU Project, has been at the forefront of both clinical and research efforts. In a recent interview, he shares the latest advancements in treating this aggressive form of breast cancer.
📖 Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/ddhUSV6E

IMPORTANT EU Project is driving innovation in breast cancer research by:
✅ Conducting a multi-country pragmatic clinical study to improve evidence-based care for older patients with advanced breast cancer.
✅ Addressing the underrepresentation of older patients in clinical trials and developing solutions to make research more inclusive.
✅ Analysing real-world clinical outcomes to enhance cancer care and influence policy changes.
✅ Engaging healthcare professionals and researchers to translate study findings into better patient outcomes.
✅ Exploring scientific and technological innovations that can shape the future of cancer treatment.



https://www.linkedin.com/posts/brostcancerforbundet_det-stora-som-h%C3%A4nt-nu-%C3%A4r-att-vi-har-f%C3%A5tt-activity-7303778849996103681-6_Rj?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAENggqUB60aV8U7aLEydevPqsQVtzAsMVkQ

- Det stora som hänt nu är att vi har fått en ny typ av läkemedel som i studier visats förbättra överlevnaden rejält jämfört med tidigare behandlingar som cytostatika. Antonis Valachis, överläkare på onkologiska kliniken vid Universitetssjukhuset Örebro, som länge befunnit sig i front...

13/03/2025

The IMPORTANT EU Project continues to make strides in optimizing treatment for older breast cancer patients!

✅ Recruitment Milestones:
🔹 12 out of 13 sites are now open for recruitment.
🔹 44 patients have joined the study, with ongoing randomization.
🔹 A clinical site in Italy is awaiting approval from CTIS.

Key Highlights:
🔹 The study enables a hybrid decentralized approach, allowing digital patient visits for efficacy and toxicity evaluations.
🔹 Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) are being collected electronically, enhancing data accuracy and efficiency.
🔹 The project was showcased at the World Cancer Day 2025 event organized by HaDEA, demonstrating its impact on the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan.

Follow the IMPORTANT project for more updates:
👉 Twitter/X https://lnkd.in/dauu5vHf
👉 Website https://lnkd.in/dJqrjmWx
👉 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/important-eu-project/posts/?feedView=all

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19/09/2024

Exciting Update from in Barcelona!

We are pleased to share that the IMPORTANT project was presented by Dr. Laura Biganzoli from LHUTC Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Hospital of Prato, at the ESMO Congress 2024, held from September 13-17 in Barcelona!

The IMPORTANT trial focuses on a critical population—patients aged 70 years and older with advanced HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, who have not received prior therapy for advanced disease.

🔬 Key Highlights of the IMPORTANT Trial:
-Target Population: Women aged 70+ with advanced HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

-Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA): A self-administered geriatric tool ensures personalized treatment pathways based on patients’ fitness levels.

-Randomization 1:1 between different CDK4/6 inhibitors and endocrine therapies.

-Stratification Factors: Type of CDK4/6 inhibitor (palbociclib, abemaciclib, ribociclib), type of endocrine therapy (aromatase inhibitors, fulvestrant) and level of vulnerability (vulnerable vs. frail).

The study ensures tailored treatment by assessing vulnerability or frailty, guiding decisions on the recommended or reduced dosing of CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy.

This is a significant advancement in optimizing treatment for older breast cancer patients and we’re excited about the potential impact!

19/06/2024

Exciting News from the IMPORTANT Project!

We are happy to announce the publication of our latest paper: "Clinical trials in older patients with cancer – typical challenges, possible solutions and a paradigm of study design in breast cancer".

Why This Matters: With the prevalence of older breast cancer patients rapidly increasing, they remain significantly underrepresented in clinical trials. This publication addresses the barriers to recruitment of older patients and proposes innovative solutions to design optimal clinical trials, illustrated through the paradigm of the hashtag .

🔬 Key Innovations:
1. Individualized Shared Decision-Making: Tailoring the initial dose of CDK 4/6-inhibitors based on frailty status to enhance patient outcomes.

2. Optimized Recruitment Methodology: Leveraging multidisciplinary collaboration to improve trial participation among older and less tech-savvy patients.

3. Financial Model Innovation: Developing a model to optimize healthcare costs, reduce financial toxicity and manage side-effect toxicity for older patients.

4. Geriatric Cancer Registry: Establishing a comprehensive registry to advance research and clinical practice in geriatric oncology.

📈 Impact: Our goal is to deliver high-level evidence (level I) that can transform current clinical practices and improve the quality of life for older breast cancer patients. The combination of CDK 4/6-inhibitors and endocrine therapy, supported by mandatory comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGAs), represents a significant step forward in personalized cancer care.

We invite you to read the full publication to explore the detailed strategies and innovations that the hashtag project brings to the forefront of clinical research.
Together, we can pave the way for more inclusive, effective and patient-centered cancer treatments.

https://doi.org/10.2340/1651-226X.2023.40365

Clinical trials in older patients with cancer – typical challenges, possible solutions, and a paradigm of study design in breast cancer Authors Peeter Karihtala Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland Aglaia Sch...

04/06/2024

We are delighted to announce that the project participated in Breast Cancer 2024 in Berlin.

The IMPORTANT trial, a collaborative effort involving esteemed experts from across Europe, aims to optimize treatment strategies for older patients with advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer. This study investigates the effectiveness of initiating CDK4/6 inhibitors at a lower dose in vulnerable/frail older patients, based on comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). The objective is to improve outcomes and customize treatment approaches for this underserved population.

With a multinational, pragmatic randomized controlled trial design, the IMPORTANT project seeks to fill gaps in clinical evidence for hashtag and promote personalized care in breast cancer treatment. By emphasizing patient-centered approaches and real-world applicability, the IMPORTANT project is committed to advancing research and enhancing the quality of care for older breast cancer patients.

Join us in our mission to make a meaningful impact in the field of breast cancer research and treatment. Together, we are driving innovation, improving outcomes, and advocating for the needs of older patients with breast cancer.

Stay tuned for more updates on the IMPORTANT trial as we continue to push the boundaries of oncology research! 🎗️

29/05/2024

We are happy to share insights from the 3rd plenary meeting of the hashtag project, held on May 27, 2024, at the CocoMat Athens BC hotel in Greece.

This pivotal gathering brought together the project's consortium partners, including clinical sites, SMEs, universities and patient advocacy organizations.

The day was packed with productive sessions aimed at advancing the mission to enhance the treatment of older breast cancer patients through a pragmatic clinical study.

Here are some highlights:

📈 Project Update and Recruitment Strategies: We were informed about the status of patient inclusion to the IMPORTANT trial from the four clinical sites that are open for inclusion so far and discussed recruitment strategies to ensure robust participation across the six EU countries involved.

📊 Regulatory and Ethical Updates: Discussions were held on regulatory and ethical issues.

🔎 Deliverables and Dissemination: We provided updates on upcoming deliverables and developed strategies for effective dissemination activities, emphasizing reporting, publications, website updates and social media engagement.

💡 Parallel research pilot projects:

An interactive application to improve older patient participation and retention in clinical trials.

An online mindful self-compassion intervention for older patients with metastatic breast cancer.

We are particularly excited about the project’s pragmatic design, which mirrors real-world settings to produce high-level evidence (level I) and foster individualized treatment approaches.

Our collaborative efforts are set to drive meaningful changes in clinical practice.

Stay tuned for more updates!

14/05/2024

Exciting Announcement for the IMPORTANT Project's ESMO Breast Presentation!

We're delighted to announce that the trial has been selected for presentation at ESMO Breast in May, set to take place in Berlin!

This esteemed conference offers a valuable platform for sharing groundbreaking research and advancements in breast cancer treatment. We are privileged to represent the IMPORTANT project as we present our trial-in-progress poster, demonstrating our dedication to advancing breast cancer care.

The work conducted within the IMPORTANT trial highlights our commitment to improving patient outcomes and pushing the boundaries of cancer research. It's an honor to participate in this prestigious event and share the progress of the IMPORTANT project with the global oncology community.

Stay tuned for updates as we prepare for our presentation at ESMO Breast!

ESMO Breast Cancer 2024 will take place as an onsite event in Berlin, Germany, on 15-17 May 2024, as well as online, through a dedicated virtual..

23/04/2024

Our IMPORTANT project partners from UNED led by Prof. Soledad Ballesteros and Prof. José Manuel Reales Avilés recently took the stage at the hashtag and PhysAgeNet Conference in Kaunas (April 18th-19th, 2024).

Their presentation zoomed in on a pivotal aspect: the impact of physical activity on the psychological and physical well-being of older breast cancer patients.

Here's a closer look at the significant revelations from their presentation:
🔍 Research Focus: Delving into the transformative potential of physical activity for older breast cancer patients.
📊 Key Findings: Unveiling compelling evidence on the positive effects of physical activity on both psychological and physical realms of well-being.
💡 Implications: Paving the way for tailored interventions aimed at enhancing the quality of life for this patient demographic.
🌐 HorizonEU Impact: Aligning with the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program's commitment to driving advancements in healthcare through rigorous research and clinical endeavors.

This presentation underscores the pivotal role of collaborative efforts in driving impactful research forward. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to push the boundaries of cancer care and research with the IMPORTANT Project.

15/04/2024

Exciting Announcement from the IMPORTANT Project!

We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone: the first patient has been randomized, all thanks to the remarkable efforts of the IMPORTANT Project's team in Helsinki, under the leadership of Prof. Karihtala and his dedicated colleagues.

The IMPORTANT Project is at the forefront of revolutionizing breast cancer care for older patients with refractory advanced HR+/HER2-negative breast cancer. Our vision? To conduct a pragmatic clinical study with a decentralized approach, aiming for a high level of evidence (level I) and delivering multi-layered results that can shape future clinical practice.

Here are some key innovations propelling the IMPORTANT Project forward:

🎗️ Individualized Shared Decision-Making: Tailoring CDK 4/6-inhibitor doses based on each patient's frailty status.

🔍 Optimized Clinical Trial Recruitment: Simplifying participation for older and less tech-savvy individuals in the digital healthcare landscape.

💰 Healthcare Cost Optimization: Creating a financial model to ease system burdens and patient toxicities.

📊 Geriatric Cancer Registry: Spearheading a registry focused on the unique needs of geriatric patients.

The IMPORTANT Project's objective is clear: to optimize treatments, enhance quality of life and provide invaluable insights for clinical practice.

We are grateful for the support of the IMPORTANT project consortium partners and excited for what lies ahead.
Stay tuned for more updates!