The conference "Accelerating Cancer Research and Innovation in Comprehensive Cancer Infrastructures for Europe" offered a insight into how cancer research can transform clinical practice. Director of NICR Aleksi Šedo was among those invited to speak in Brussels, where he presented the activities and objectives of the national institute.
The conference, which took place on April 9–10, 2025, was organized by the European project CCI4EU – Comprehensive Cancer Infrastructures for the European Union (one of the calls of the Horizon Europe program). Its aim is to help EU Member States and associated countries improve or develop their existing or future comprehensive cancer infrastructures by helping to develop their research and innovation capacities.
"I am delighted that the CCI4EU project management has included the NICR among its 'favorites' among similar distributed centers of academic oncology in Europe. It particularly appreciated the comprehensive concept of the approach to science, the integration of technology and expertise, education, the dissemination of outputs to a range of target groups, including government bodies, and the creation of a real national authority," comments Aleksi Šedo, adding that the newly established equivalent networks of cancer research centers in Belgium (BeCRA, Belgian Cancer Research Alliance) and Spain (ROM, Red Oncológica Madrileña) have invited NICR to sign a memorandum of understanding.
"We are now working on the formulation of a memorandum of understanding. It is great that we can be an inspiration to colleagues from other European countries. I think I can say that this is evidence of the successful fulfillment of the NICR project's objectives, which include raising its profile abroad," adds Aleksi Šedo. This is also evidenced by an email correspondence addressed to the NICR management from Brussels, which states, among other things: "Based on our discussions and responses to the survey, the NICR was selected—from approximately ten other initiatives—as a valuable example to be included in the document Deliverable D3.1: Report on EU cancer care & research capacity by CCI." The fact that Europe is taking notice of Czech initiatives in cancer research is certainly very encouraging, but it is also very important that the responsible authorities in the Czech Republic also recognize the benefits of the NICR. Their attitude is critical for the continued existence and functioning of this successfully established national authority.
