The Cancer Research Center is collaboration between the Cyprus University of Technology and the German Oncology Center, with the task of conducting multidisciplinary cancer research for the prevention, prognosis, diagnosis, treatment and clinical care of patients. The presence of the Center as a basis for collaborative research between the industry, the state and the academic community will strengthen cancer research and significantly improve the quality of life of patients in our country.
The projects of the newly established Cancer Research Center began with great success on 4-5 October 2018 at the premises of the Cyprus University of Technology. On Thursday, October 4th, an inaugural scientific meeting was held, where scientific staff from the German Oncology Center, researchers from the Cyprus University of Technology, representatives of local biotechnology companies and distinguished scientists from abroad presented the latest research developments and the use of the latest technologies in oncology. In particular, there was an exchange of know-how on Imaging Biomedical Methods, Personalized Oncology, Molecular Diagnostic Techniques, Clinical Prospects and Public Health issues to identify risk factors for the disease. The presidents, Professor Andreas Anagiotos (CUT Rector) and Dr. Nikolaos Zamboglou (Medical Director of GOC) welcomed the inaugural meeting, while presentations were made by several researchers, including Professor Michael Molls, Director of Clinical Radiotherapy and Oncology ), Professor George Sakas (Technical University of Darmstadt), Prof. Andreas du Bois (Kliniken Essen Mitte), Prof. Joseph Kost (Ben-Gurion University), Prof. Georgios Stamatakos (National Technical University of Athens) Georgios Fountzilas (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki / Hellenic Foundation for Cancer Research), Professor Philippos Patsalis (NIPD Genetics Ltd), Dr. Marianna Prokopi (Cyprus University of Technology), Dr. Kostas Pitsillides (TheramiR Ltd) and others.
In the evening an event was held to sign the founding of the Research Center for Cancer between the Cyprus University of Technology and the German Oncology Center, in the presence of the Minister of Health, Konstantinos Ioannou. For the operation of the Center will be used in combination the strong know-how of the German Oncology Centre’s scientific staff, as well as the dynamic and multiple possibilities offered by specialized Departments of the Cyprus University of Technology from the School of Engineering, the School of Geotechnical Sciences and Environmental Management and the School Health Sciences with the additional support of a number of other Departments. Partners in this effort are a large number of state and private bodies in Cyprus, as well as foreign researchers involved in the treatment of cancer.
With an interdisciplinary core, the Center aims to bring together researchers in the fields of biology, engineering, medicine, mathematics, physics, public health, nursing, as well as doctors and pharmaceutical companies from all over Cyprus, whose research focuses on preventing, detecting and treating cancer and caring for cancer patients. The basic principle for research at the Center is to link the university lab to the clinic, leading to the development of new approaches to prevention, prognosis, diagnosis, treatment and care.
In his statements, CUT Rector Andreas Anagiotos said: "We are very pleased that we are implementing a big vision for a holistic approach to multifactorial cancer, which we had announced in May 2017. Today we are pleased to celebrate the official launch of this promising collaboration between the Cyprus University of Technology and the German Oncology Center in the field of Oncology. The establishment of an integrated Cancer Research Center is of paramount importance for our country and primarily for the health of citizens. "
In addition to conducting clinical research, the Center aspires to interpret research results from laboratories and clinics in Cyprus for the benefit of patients. In addition, researchers' know-how will aim to promote the development of new technologies and develop tools for clinical oncologists and researchers to manage patient databases and conduct clinical and therapeutic last-generation clinical trials.
At the end of the first round of the workshop, the delegates have already set up working groups with the ultimate goal that Cyprus should become a global model of study to understand the genetic and environmental contribution to the development of cancer. An important parameter of the research to be carried out is also the determination of how epidemiological factors or lifestyle factors are linked to the increased risk for cancer. Another aim of the center is the use and development of innovative diagnostic methods for the disease, which until recently has not been applied in our country (e.g. dark-field x-rays, liquid biopsies, cfDNA, miRNAs). The scientific team also looks forward to testing pioneer therapeutic treatments for brachytherapy, individualized immunotherapy and the development of nano-therapy.
The Cancer Research Center is a unique model that at its core combines academic research with a real and modern oncology center, and extends through collaborations with distinguished researchers and clinicians in Cyprus and abroad. Consequently, unique and ideal conditions are created where scientists, clinicians, patients and industry can meet to share and implement ideas to improve the care of our fellow human beings living with cancer.