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AIDIT<br />
Advancing International<br />
Co-operation and Developing<br />
Infrastructure for Targeted Screening<br />
of Prostate <strong>Cancer</strong> in Men with<br />
Genetic Predisposition<br />
Summary<br />
In the EU, approximately 200 000 men are diagnosed annually<br />
with prostate cancer, and this fi gure is likely to increase<br />
due to the ageing population, which will cause a considerable<br />
healthcare problem. Inherited genetic factors are<br />
important in this disease, for example the breast cancer<br />
predisposition genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been reported<br />
to increase the risk of prostate cancer signifi cantly. The<br />
European IMPACT study (scheduled to begin in 2005) aims<br />
to put in place networks and infrastructures in 23 countries<br />
(18 of them in Europe) to identify a male population harbouring<br />
germ line mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2<br />
genes, and recruit them into targeted screening programmes<br />
for prostate cancer. IMPACT also aims to support<br />
future research into the targeted screening and clinical<br />
management of prostate cancer in high-risk individuals.<br />
The main goal of this proposal (AIDIT) is to stimulate cooperation<br />
with Associated Candidate Countries (ACCs) in<br />
relation to the IMPACT study. It is intended that a Specifi c<br />
Support Action (SSA) could provide the means to identify<br />
and recruit appropriate centres in the ACCs; stimulate the<br />
participation of research teams in ACCs and connect expertise<br />
in all collaborating countries in this area. Networking<br />
and dissemination of the latest results from ongoing prostate<br />
cancer screening studies are crucial elements of this<br />
proposal, which has the long-term aim of enabling centres<br />
in the ACCs to join the IMPACT study, thus establishing<br />
a larger consortium and research base. AIDIT is also aimed<br />
at raising the profi le of the need to improve clinical management<br />
of prostate cancer, educating the relevant<br />
stakeholders, improving quality of life, reducing early mortality<br />
and reducing the fi nancial burden of healthcare. It will<br />
consider relevant gender, ethical and societal issues, supporting<br />
the implementation of the Sixth Framework<br />
Programme and, in particular, the Combating <strong>Cancer</strong> topic<br />
of Thematic Priority 1. AIDIT can only occur under the<br />
auspices of an EU SSA.<br />
86<br />
Keywords | Prostate cancer | BRCA1 | BRCA2 | targeted screening | associate candidate countries |<br />
Problem<br />
Prostate cancer is a common cancer in men but the cause<br />
of the disease remains a mystery. There is a potential for<br />
improving patient management and for reducing early<br />
mortality by targeting screening for prostate cancer. Studies<br />
have indicated that BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes signifi cantly<br />
increase the risk of prostate cancer but further work is<br />
needed in the area to determine the exact risks of this patient<br />
population. International collaboration has been established<br />
in 23 countries worldwide but out of the Associate Candidate<br />
Countries only one centre in Turkey is involved.<br />
Aim<br />
To expand the IMPACT study collaboration into the Associate<br />
Candidate Countries through advertising the study<br />
both to the general population and to researchers using<br />
media, establishing a website and holding an international<br />
conference.<br />
Expected results<br />
• To host an international conference to bring all collaborators<br />
together and meet and share knowledge.<br />
• To identify and recruit new centres in ACCs.<br />
• To recruit ACC members onto the IMPACT study, and<br />
specialist and steering committees.<br />
• To increase awareness of the BRCA1/2 link to prostate<br />
cancer and encourage genetic testing in individuals at risk.<br />
• Development of a centralised website.<br />
• To raise the profi le of the need for increased detection of<br />
mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 in men, and for improved<br />
clinical management of prostate cancer in the ACCs.<br />
• To educate the relevant stakeholders through the creation<br />
of reliable, informative, and fast communication<br />
hardware and software systems.<br />
Potential applications<br />
• Promote future research collaborations between teams<br />
in these countries and the current IMPACT consortium.<br />
• To assist in guiding future clinical management of men<br />
with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.<br />
CANCER RESEARCH PROJECTS FUNDED UNDER THE SIXTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME
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