Polish and American specialists launch cooperation to fight cancer

The Memorandum of Understanding signed in February covers six main areas, the first of which is cancer prevention. In this area, the two institutions will continue their collaboration on tobacco research, HPV vaccination and reducing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care.

The second area is cancer control strategies, which will include projects related to the fight against this type of disease in Poland and the United States.

In the area of innovative advances in cancer research, cooperation will include basic, preclinical and clinical research of global value.

The area of data management and sharing will include the development of shared databases for the assessment of diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients. They will enable researchers to obtain data from clinical practice, among other things.

The part devoted to new technologies in cancer prevention and control will include joint research on applications of new technologies in cancer control, in particular telemedicine, artificial intelligence and robotics.

Another area will concern education and training, including the establishment of the School of Cancer Epidemiology, with courses taught by Polish and American lecturers, leaders in the field of epidemiology and research methodology.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the US federal government's leading agency for cancer research and training.

The Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology is currently the largest cancer centre in Poland. Its mission is to discover new knowledge in oncology and to define standards of care in support of the national comprehensive cancer control plan as well as prevention, diagnostics, treatment and education.

The two institutions have successfully collaborated in the past on research projects, and the recent agreement will enable further cooperation and expanding it to new areas.

Prof. Iwona Ługowska, responsible for international cooperation at with the Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology said: “I am very much looking forward to this cooperation, and I am convinced that we, as our American partners, will get maximum benefit from it. Additionally, we have to remember that cancer has no geographical affiliation as a worldwide problem, therefore only international cooperation with exchanging experience and knowledge, makes our fight more effective.”

According to NCI's Acting Branch Chief for Research and Training Dr. Mark Parascandola: “Both Poland and the U.S. have made tremendous progress in recent decades in addressing the burden of cancer, through reducing tobacco use and through innovations in cancer control and treatment. However, cancer remains a leading threat to health in both countries. By working together, and building on a history of partnership, we aim to spur innovation and accelerate progress against cancer.”

The signing of the agreement between the two institutions was coordinated by the Polish-American Foundation Alliance for Innovation (AFI), which will support both institutions in organizational and administrative matters.

Marcin Hańczaruk, President of the Management Board of the Alliance for Innovation said: “The goal of our Foundation is to foster Polish-American cooperation in the fields of science, culture and business. The signing of an agreement between such important cancer control institutions is of great importance for patients and the oncological community, but also for the further development of Polish-American cooperation, which is supported by the AIF Foundation. As a supporting organization, we will make every effort to ensure that the research collaboration runs smoothly and is not impeded or slowed down by organizational, communication or administrative issue.”

Institute director Professor Jan Walewski signed the agreement on behalf of the Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology. Director of the Center for Global HealthDr. Satish Gopal signed on behalf of NCI.

For more information, visit: https://www.pib-nio.pl/23-lutego-2021r-polscy-i-amerykanscy-naukowcy-lacza-sily-w-walce-przeciw-nowotworom/ (PAP)

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