The European Mission: Cancer has awarded a grant of 10 million euros for the PALACROS initiative of Amsterdam UMC to improve surgical and oncological treatment of pancreatic cancer in Europe.
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Patients with non-metastatic but locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) often have limited treatment options, and access to specialized multimodal surgical care is very restricted in many European countries and regions. PALACROS aims to tackle this problem by standardizing decision-making, improving combined treatment with chemotherapy and surgery, strengthening surgical training, and embedding patient-centered outcomes in care pathways, supported by clinical trials.
European collaboration
On the initiative of Amsterdam UMC, the PALACROS project was launched to improve treatment and access to specialized care for patients with LAPC in Europe. The project brings together leading clinical and academic centers, patient organizations and innovative industrial partners from across Europe, including the University of Verona, Heidelberg University Hospital and Amsterdam UMC as coordinating center.
Three randomized trials
The project includes three randomized clinical trials, a European training program and AI radiology tools for patient identification. First, the trials compare surgery with MRI-guided stereotactic radiotherapy in selected patients with LAPC who respond well to modern chemotherapy. The other two trials assess the effectiveness of novel local treatments for patients with non-operable LAPC. Second, the training program for complex pancreatic surgery will train and develop networks in different European countries and regions. Third, the AI-based radiological patient identification tools will support non-expert centers in identifying patients who are eligible for novel treatments.
“PALACROS will build the sustainable infrastructure and network we need to durably improve oncological and surgical care for patients with LAPC in Europe,” says Prof. Marc Besselink, professor of surgery at Amsterdam UMC - Cancer Center Amsterdam and project coordinator. “I am very pleased that Mission Cancer is funding this project with EUR 10 million, aimed at innovative multimodal surgical care; together with innovative systemic treatment, this clearly forms the cornerstone of modern cancer care.”
“PALACROS will build the sustainable infrastructure and network we need to durably improve oncological and surgical care for patients with LAPC in Europe" - Prof. Dr. Marc Besselink
Combining expertise
The University of Verona coordinates two of the three randomized clinical trials. “In Verona, we see every day how complex and individualized the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer has become,” says Prof. Giuseppe Malleo, professor of surgery at the University of Verona and PALACROS co-lead. “PALACROS offers us the opportunity to combine surgical expertise, translational research and innovative local therapies within a coordinated European framework. This is exactly the type of collaboration needed to bring progress from expert centers across borders to patients.”
More than a clinical research project
Heidelberg University Hospital coordinates the European training program, aimed at building surgical capacity in centers and regions where access to advanced pancreatic surgery is currently limited. “In complex surgery for pancreatic cancer, expertise and structure are of great importance,” says Dr. Thomas Hank, pancreatic surgeon at Heidelberg University Hospital and PALACROS co-lead. “PALACROS is much more than a clinical research project; it is also a European training and implementation program. Our goal is to support safe, reproducible, high-quality care and to narrow the gap between what is possible in expert centers and what is accessible to patients across Europe.”
Patient involvement
PALACROS also places strong emphasis on patient involvement. A dedicated patient advisory board contributes to study design, communication materials and the development of a core outcome set that reflects what is most important for patients and their families, including quality of life, decision-making, symptoms, emotional well-being and daily functioning.
With its integrated approach, PALACROS aims to provide the clinical evidence base, training structures, digital tools and implementation roadmap needed to improve outcomes for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The project also supports long-term European research capacity through a GDPR- and FAIR-compliant data platform and a federated biobank.
