On the 19th of November 2014, the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) launched, within the European Parliament, the document Immuno-Oncology: a Policy Action Framework as well a Guide for Patients on immuno-oncology.

For the past few months, ECPC has been honoured to co-chair the European Expert Group on Immuno-Oncology.

The Expert Group consists of patient organisations, cancer specialists, researchers, industry representatives and policymakers from across Europe who are working together to help improve awareness and understanding of immuno-oncology amongst policymakers.

Their main aim was to propose a framework for action for European and national policymakers to encourage rapid and appropriate access for patients to the most effective immuno-oncology therapies.

The event, hosted by MEP Philippe De Backer and MEP Cristian Busoi, saw also the participation of MEP Peter Liese and more than 50 other participants representing patients, physicians, researchers, industry and policy makers.

ECPC President Prof Francesco De Lorenzo moderated the debate among the high level panellists, presenting patients' expectations regarding immuno-oncology.

Prof De Lorenzo focused on the opportunity for long term survival that immuno-oncology therapies can offer to European cancer patients.

He stressed the importance of making immuno-oncology therapies more accessible to patients.

During his presentation, he stated: “Immuno-oncology therapies offer significant potential for patients with many forms of cancer, and for many of them, they offer long-term remission when no other treatment possibilities exist.

Our understanding of how these therapies work is evolving rapidly.

Therefore it is essential that we provide patients with accurate, up-to-date information to help them have a meaningful dialogue with their doctors about the role that these therapies may play in their treatment.”

Dr Michele Maio, Director of Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena and President of the Italian Network of Tumor Bio-Immunotherapy (NIBIT), suggested that immuno-oncology is solidly positioned as the 4th pillar of cancer treatment, although there is still much to be done to make immuno-oncology understood not only to patients but also general practitioners and even oncologists.

Dr Cedrik Britten from the Cancer ImmunoTherapy Association (CIMT) echoed the position of Dr Maio on patients' literacy, and presented the work of the Expert Group.

Dr Britten emphasised that immuno-therapy is not a compound or a new drug, but a toolbox, a new paradigm to fight cancer.

The Policy Action framework represents, in this regard, a good starting point for policy makers to tackle the regulatory and structural obstacles that slow down patients' access to immuno-oncology therapies across Europe.

Some member states, like Belgium, provide interesting case studies of how policymakers and scientists can work together to improve regulatory frameworks.

Marc van den Bulke, from the Belgian Scientific Institute of Public Health, presented his experience and the results achieved in Belgium in this regard.

MEP Cristian Busoi praised the efforts made by ECPC and its partners to come up with a Policy Action Framework.

He reiterated his personal commitment to keep supporting cancer patients within the Parliament and thanked ECPC for the important role that they are playing in making the Intergroup 'Health for Citizens' a reality in the European Parliament.

Aside from hosting the event, MEP De Backer also voiced his support for ECPC’ work for cancer patients.

Drawing from his scientific and professional background, De Backer confirmed the important role that immuno-oncology will have in the future.

He also expressed his frustration that many of the frameworks for cooperation developed by the European Institutions have not be thoroughly translated into action by Member States.

Patients were also represented by Tomy Bjork from Lung Cancer Europe (LUCE), and Szymon Chrostowski from the 'Win Health Foundation' in Poland.

Mr Chrostowski shared the very fruitful collaboration the Foundation established with the Polish government related to the establishment of a partnership to develop a civic formulation of the National Programme for Fighting Cancer.

Prof De Lorenzo also mentioned that ECPC plan to create an Immuno-Oncology Academy, an information hub for patients and doctors on immuno-oncology.

Source: European School of Oncology