European funds bring cutting-edge cancer treatments to Aragon

María Pilar Gamir is a lung cancer patient from Teruel, but above all she is a clear example of the heroes who are among us, even if we cannot recognise them at first sight. Maria Pilar was diagnosed with metastatic cancer almost two years ago. Her oncologist suggested she participate in the Dipcan study for this type of cancer, and María Pilar did not think twice. She decided to participate in this EU-funded project NextGenerationEU to improve her quality of life and also help other patients like her.

Like María Pilar, around 2,000 patients from all over Spain have become heroes altruistically by participating as volunteers in the Dipcan study to help other current and future patients. The study consists of identifying what scientists call the genetic “ID” or “fingerprint ” of tumors thanks to the use of artificial intelligence. This helps patients receive more personalized treatment thanks to the fact that it allows us to better understand their behavior and, consequently, apply the most appropriate techniques.

This experimental study is an example of how the European NextGenerationEU funds permeate the entire European social fabric and reach every corner of the territory to produce real changes. In total, up to 163 billion euros have been allocated in Spain, 80 billion in grants and 83 billion in loans.

EUROPEAN FUNDS HAVE AN IMPACT IN ARAGON

“In 2020, 2.7 million people in the European Union were diagnosed with cancer and 1.3 million people lost their lives to the disease, including more than 2,000 young people. The European Plan to Fight Cancer is the EU’s response to combat this scourge. The European NextGenerationEU funds have made the Dipcan experimental study for patients with metastatic cancer possible. Thanks to it, approximately 2,000 people have improved their quality of life, while their data will be used to develop personalised treatments in the future. This is a demonstration of how NextGenerationEU, from which Aragon has received 1,958 million euros so far , has a direct impact on society and on people,” explains Lucas González Ojeda, acting director of the European Commission Representation in Spain.

From today and for the next two weeks, Zaragoza and Teruel are hosting an institutional communication campaign that highlights the impact that NextGenerationEU funds have on society and whose protagonist is Maria Pilar Gamir from Teruel.

The campaign consists of fifty billboards spread across Zaragoza and Teruel . On them, María Pilar appears surrounded by important people who are accompanying her in this key stage of her life. The photograph challenges passers-by: would you be able to recognise a hero? This question refers to all those anonymous heroes like María Pilar, who, without us knowing it, are making a contribution to society. The campaign is also accompanied by a radio spot.

DIPCAN PROJECT

This project is one of the most innovative initiatives in the field of precision oncology, which uses artificial intelligence and big data to analyse genetic data from a database of volunteer patients from all over Spain.

Dr. Enrique Grande , one of the principal investigators of the Dipcan project and director of the Department of Medical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid, says that “standard therapies (chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy) for each tumor are based on lines of treatment, but there comes a time when they are exhausted.”

“The Dipcan study offers an opportunity to better understand the tumor to see if there is any molecular alteration that could be a candidate for targeted treatment. For example, the patient may have a kidney tumor that requires three lines of treatment, but if we are able to find a specific molecular alteration, we will be able to add the opportunity to receive one more line of treatment,” he adds.