[{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022republish_modal_form\u0022\u003E\u003Cform class=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form ecl-form\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 action=\u0022\/en\/article\/modal\/7129\u0022 method=\u0022post\u0022 id=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 accept-charset=\u0022UTF-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon articles can be republished for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EYou must give appropriate credit. We ask you to do this by:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 1) Using the original journalist\u0027s byline\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 2) Linking back to our original story\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 3) Using the following text in the footer: This article was originally published in \u003Ca href=\u0027#\u0027\u003EHorizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003ESee our full republication guidelines \u003Ca href=\u0027\/horizon-magazine\/republish-our-stories\u0027\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EHTML for this article, including the attribution and page view counter, is below:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textarea form-item-body-content js-form-item-body-content ecl-form-group ecl-form-group--text-area form-no-label ecl-u-mv-m\u0022\u003E\n \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \u003Ctextarea data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 aria-describedby=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 id=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 name=\u0022body_content\u0022 rows=\u00225\u0022 cols=\u002260\u0022 class=\u0022form-textarea ecl-text-area\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWill we ever cure cancer?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe asked three cancer experts - Nobel laureate Professor Harald zur Hausen, Professor Walter Ricciardi and Dr Elisabete Weiderpass \u2013 for their thoughts on curing cancer. They all sit on the EU\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/news\/commission-announces-top-experts-shape-horizon-europe-missions-2019-jul-30_en\u0022\u003EHorizon Europe mission board for cancer\u003C\/a\u003E and will help to define a concrete target for Europe in this area over the next decade.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProf. Harald zur Hausen, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u2018Evidence of infections linked to cancer provide hope of preventing up to half of all cancers\u2019\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf we can ever cure cancer completely \u2013 that is an open question which I cannot answer. We have a good chance of drastically reducing the incidence of cancers, but what we see at present is that the incidence, or occurrence, of cancer is increasing globally.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe mortality of cancer patients is slightly decreasing, but the increase in incidence is not compensated by the decrease in mortality. There are still a large number of cases coming up every year, and if we really want to do something against cancer in the future, we need to stop the increase.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe know there are a number of cancer risk factors that can be avoided. At this moment, we also know of about 20% of cancers where infections are involved. We can not only effectively immunise patients against these types of cancer, but virtually eradicate it, in particular Hepatitis B (a cause of liver cancer) and Human Papillomavirus (which \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nobelprize.org\/prizes\/medicine\/2008\/summary\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022\u003EProf. zur Hausen\u003C\/a\u003E discovered is linked to cervical cancer) where we have vaccines that are presently available.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cfigure role=\u0022group\u0022 class=\u0022@alignleft@\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Prof. zur Hausen says cancers where infections are involved offer hope of finding methods to protect against those diseases. Image credit - DKFZ T. Schwerdt\u0022 height=\u0022667\u0022 src=\u0022\/research-and-innovation\/sites\/default\/files\/hm\/IMCEUpload\/zurhausen-983.jpg\u0022 title=\u0022Prof. zur Hausen says cancers where infections are involved offer hope of finding methods to protect against those diseases. Image credit - DKFZ T. Schwerdt\u0022 width=\u0022983\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cfigcaption class=\u0022tw-italic tw-mb-4\u0022\u003EProf. zur Hausen says cancers where infections are involved offer hope of finding methods to protect against those diseases. Image credit - DKFZ T. Schwerdt\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\n\u003C\/figure\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe believe we have evidence that at least 30% more human cancers are also linked to infectious events. This provides at least the hope that in the near future other methods can be developed that will also lead to long-term protection from those diseases \u2013 specifically colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, where evidence is mounting that specific infectious events play a role.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERecently, we discovered a completely new class of infectious agents which are derived originally from plasmids. Plasmids are a kind of mini-chromosome of bacteria, which we find in a very large number of colon cancer patients. These are infections which persist for decades, causing chronic inflammations, and these inflammations are really the cause of oxygen radicals and mutation events in cells that are susceptible to cancer development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe have all the (plasmid) genomes sequenced that we have identified so far, and what came up was really a surprise for us, because they do not represent viral nor bacterial sequences. They are slightly modified bacterial plasmids, originating from specific bacteria but learnt to replicate independently in cattle and human cells. We can demonstrate that they are found in inflammatory lesions of the colon, breast and prostate. So, in my opinion, this will hopefully permit new approaches for prevention and, in the long run, for treatment of these very common types of cancers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe biggest challenge is to develop more basic research and put more emphasis on preventative measures to block the incidence of cancer occurrence, avoiding the precursor lesions of cancer with surgical interventions. We need to improve the treatment protocol for the curing of cancers. And we need to devise some methodology in order to reach long-term protection of patients, for a lifetime.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProf. Walter Ricciardi, Universit\u00e0 Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u2018Digital technology can help us find more precise ways of tackling these diseases\u2019\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cfigure role=\u0022group\u0022 class=\u0022@alignleft@\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Technological developments allowing us to sift through enormous amounts of data can lead to more personalised approaches to treating cancer, says Prof. Ricciardi. Image credit - Istituto Superiore di Sanit\u00e0\u0022 height=\u0022683\u0022 src=\u0022\/research-and-innovation\/sites\/default\/files\/hm\/IMCEUpload\/ricciardi.jpg\u0022 title=\u0022Technological developments allowing us to sift through enormous amounts of data can lead to more personalised approaches to treating cancer, says Prof. Ricciardi. Image credit - Istituto Superiore di Sanit\u00e0\u0022 width=\u00221024\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cfigcaption class=\u0022tw-italic tw-mb-4\u0022\u003ETechnological developments allowing us to sift through enormous amounts of data can lead to more personalised approaches to treating cancer, says Prof. Ricciardi. Image credit - Istituto Superiore di Sanit\u00e0\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\n\u003C\/figure\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECancer is a general definition for a series of diseases, so we cannot take a general approach \u2013 a solution for every type of cancer \u2013 but we can develop a general strategy. It needs an alliance between the different stakeholders, not only in the health sector, but also in the social sector, because many of the behaviours that favour the onset of cancer are modifiable by lifestyle and prevention. We also have to take advantage of the immense progress in technology. I\u2019m confident we are going to find a better approach to tackle this disease.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe have the possibility via digital technology today to take a lot of data that, in principle, could be related to genome sequencing, since, as far as we know, there are some cancers that are genetically determined. We know that the majority are related to five factors, four of which are behaviours \u2013 alcohol use, tobacco use, eating too much, and not doing enough physical activity, as well as pollution. Digital technology can incorporate a lot of data, going from the very general to the specific characteristics of a single person.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnderstanding someone\u0027s specific characteristics means that we can develop a more personalised and precision-targeted approach, avoiding what happens now \u2013 where we provide a single drug, say for every kind of breast cancer. We know that produces side effects in some women who don\u2019t get any real advantage from the drug. So, looking at a subpopulation of women who get breast cancer, that is the approach we have to develop.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImmunotherapy (where the patient\u0027s immune system is stimulated to attack the cancer) has also been achieving incredible results. In the past, some cancers like lung cancers or metastatic melanoma were impossible to treat, where now we have the possibility to really treat them and, in some cases, to have a substantial solution to the disease. I think we can be optimistic also on this front.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe challenge for the future is the immense data that we will have \u2013 genomic data for 500 million (European) citizens \u2013 that has to be managed appropriately, with respect to privacy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDr Elisabete Weiderpass, International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, Lyon, France\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u2018Individuals should learn the European Code Against Cancer \u2013 the 12 ways to reduce risk\u2019\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cfigure role=\u0022group\u0022 class=\u0022@alignleft@\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Dr Weiderpass says 30% to 40% of all cancers are preventable. Image credit - The International Agency for Research on Cancer \u0022 height=\u0022590\u0022 src=\u0022\/research-and-innovation\/sites\/default\/files\/hm\/IMCEUpload\/weiderpass-982.jpg\u0022 title=\u0022Dr Weiderpass says 30% to 40% of all cancers are preventable. Image credit - The International Agency for Research on Cancer \u0022 width=\u0022983\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cfigcaption class=\u0022tw-italic tw-mb-4\u0022\u003EDr Weiderpass says 30% to 40% of all cancers are preventable. Image credit - The International Agency for Research on Cancer\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\n\u003C\/figure\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECancer is a family of diseases. There are over a hundred different cancer types. Some types are curable, and indeed are being cured, particularly when they are detected earlier and in rich countries, while other types we just don\u2019t know how to cure.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor some cancer types, let\u2019s say early stage breast cancer, testicular cancer, and some types of leukaemia, we already know ways to diagnose it relatively early, as well as ways to treat it extremely effectively.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are several cancer types where very substantial progress has been made, but there are several types that we don\u2019t know how to deal with. There is a very common cancer type, prostate cancer, where we still do not know the best ways to detect it early and if it\u2019s worthwhile to detect it early. We don\u2019t have good screening tools and we don\u2019t know how to differentiate between slow-growing types that do not need much intervention at all and rapid-growing types. So prostate cancer is definitely one cancer where we have a very big challenge in terms of public health because it affects a very large number of men.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith the enormous increase in the number of cancer patients expected over the next decades due to the increase in life expectancy, governments are called to urgently and more rigorously implement cancer prevention and cancer control programmes as 30-40% of cancers are preventable (in European countries; for other countries the proportion of preventable cancers is even higher).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat ordinary European citizens can do is learn the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cancer-code-europe.iarc.fr\/index.php\/en\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022\u003EEuropean Code Against Cancer\u003C\/a\u003E. These are 12 ways, based on very solid evidence, to help reduce your cancer risk and to help detect certain cancers early.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, smoking remains responsible for half of all preventable cancers in Europe. An inappropriate diet which does not have enough fruits and vegetables and a diet that leads to obesity are other important causes of cancer in Europe.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAs told to Ethan Bilby.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe interviews have been edited for clarity and length.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E19\/9\/19 - This story has been updated to reflect that 30-40% of cancers are preventable in European countries and that in other countries the rate of preventable cancers is even higher.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe scope of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/digital-single-market\/events\/cf\/european-research-and-innovation-days\/item-display.cfm?id=23716\u0022\u003EHorizon Europe Mission on Cancer\u003C\/a\u003E will be under discussion on 25 September at the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/digital-single-market\/events\/cf\/european-research-and-innovation-days\/item-display.cfm?id=23716\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022\u003EEU\u2019s Research and Innovation Days\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;event in Brussels, Belgium.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022moreinfoblock\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3\u003EEuropean Research \u0026amp; Innovation Days\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/research-and-innovation\/events\/upcoming-events\/european-research-and-innovation-days_en\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022\u003EEuropean Research \u0026amp; Innovation Days\u003C\/a\u003E, which will take place in Brussels, Belgium, from 24 to 26 September, are designed to bring together policymakers, academics, industry, civil society and entrepreneurs to discuss how research and innovation can help tackle the major issues facing the EU over the next decade.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe idea is to seek a wide range of opinions from experts and interested parties about priorities for the first four years of the EU\u2019s upcoming \u20ac100 billion research funding programme,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/horizon-europe-next-research-and-innovation-framework-programme_en\u0022\u003EHorizon Europe\u003C\/a\u003E. In addition to conference sessions, policymakers from the EU and national administrations will be available throughout the event in a space called Horizon Village to gather further input from participants.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe event, which is set to be an annual affair, consists of a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/research-and-innovation\/events\/upcoming-events\/european-research-and-innovation-days\/policy-conference_en\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022\u003Epolicy conference\u003C\/a\u003E to shape the Horizon Europe work programme, an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/research-and-innovation\/events\/upcoming-events\/european-research-and-innovation-days\/innovative-europe-hub_en\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022\u003Einnovation hub\u003C\/a\u003E for innovators and investors to network, and a public exhibition called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/research-and-innovation\/events\/upcoming-events\/european-research-and-innovation-days\/science-wonderful-exhibition_en\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022\u003EScience is Wonderful!\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/textarea\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv id=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 class=\u0022ecl-help-block description\u0022\u003E\n Please copy the above code and embed it onto your website to republish.\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cinput autocomplete=\u0022off\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022form-qbexxd9mtbmgkcihyhwwaz9ezgr5oeq16aj1wl4rpm4\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_build_id\u0022 value=\u0022form-qbExxD9mTBmGkcIHyhwWAZ9eZgr5OeQ16aJ1wL4rPM4\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003Cinput data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_id\u0022 value=\u0022modal_form_example_modal_form\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003C\/form\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E","dialogOptions":{"width":"800","modal":true,"title":"Republish this content"}}]