Leading role for St. Anna Children´s Cancer Research Institute to implement a pilot European expert reference network for diagnostics and treatment of paediatric cancer

Project ExPO-r-Net is a 3-year project that will build a European Reference Network for Paediatric Oncology to reduce inequalities in childhood cancer survival and healthcare capabilities across the EU.

Project ExPO-r-Net is a large multinational network with more than 60 collaborators from 17 European countries and is co-financed by the European Union. The project is coordinated by the St Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute under the leadership of Prof Ruth Ladenstein and drives the successful implementation of a European Reference Network concept in the field of Paediatric Haemato-Oncology.

As all childhood cancers are rare, this network is in line with the EU Directive on patient rights to access cross-border healthcare (CBHC) in case of rare and complex diseases. ExPO-r-Net seeks to advance equal access to quality care, treatment and aims to improve patient outcomes across Europe through innovative solutions.

The introduction of a formalized CBHC advice through multidisciplinary virtual tumour boards and case consultation platforms will enhance knowledge sharing, enhance CBHC collaborations and will help to guide patient´s families in complex treatment plans based on experts group advice.

ExPO-r-Net has established the following goals:

  • Link paediatric oncology centres of excellence within Europe
  • Enable treatment of young people with cancer in other EU Member States
  • Improve access to high-quality health care for all young people with cancer
  • Reduce inequalities in childhood cancer survival and healthcare capabilities across the EU
  • Empower patients affected by complex or rare diseases across the EU
  • Enable cost effectiveness in health care

“We are identifying the target groups who have conditions that require a particular concentration of resources or expertise, especially when the expertise with certain cancer conditions is rare and case volume low. ExPO-r-Net aims to reduce the current inequalities in childhood cancer survival and healthcare capabilities in different member states.”
Prof. Dr. Ruth Ladenstein

 

Contact Information:
St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung e.V.
CHILDREN'S CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Zimmermannplatz 10, 1090 Wien, Austria
T +43(1)40470-4750 F +43(1)40470-7430
Email: ruth.ladenstein(at)ccri.at

Prof. Dr. Ruth Ladenstein, MBA, cPM
Professor of Paediatrics, Senior Consultant in Pediatric Oncology, Head of the Clinical Trials, Unit S2IRP (Studies & Statistics for Integrated Research and Projects)
Children´s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung

 

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