STREXIT2 at the EU Cancer Mission's 5th Anniversary Event: Stronger Through Connection

STREXIT2 at the EU Cancer Mission’s 5th Anniversary Event: Stronger Through Connection

From 29 September to 1 October 2026, the STREXIT2 consortium was represented at “5 Years EU Cancer Mission: Stronger Through Connection” in Brussels, Belgium. Organised by the European Commission, the event marked five years of the EU Cancer Mission and brought together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, patient representatives, innovators and other stakeholders to reflect on progress and discuss the path towards its 2030 objectives.

Representing STREXIT2, alongside the DE-ESCALATE and LEGATO projects, Stéphane Lejeune and Caroline Moulins from EORTC and Marcell Csanádi from Syreon Research Institute attended the event to showcase the projects’ contributions to European cancer research and connect with fellow EU-funded initiatives.

Three days of discussions on the future of cancer research and care

The three-day programme explored how research, innovation and policy can work together to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and quality of life across Europe.

The first day focused on the importance of cancer data, including the development of a connected European cancer data ecosystem, improved data sharing, cancer imaging and artificial intelligence, and data-driven tools for precision oncology.

The second day addressed prevention and early detection, alongside quality of life, survivorship and palliative care. Sessions explored patient engagement, holistic care models and opportunities to translate research into solutions that respond to patients’ needs.

The final day focused on innovation in cancer diagnosis and treatment, including personalised and affordable care. The programme also featured a Rare Cancer Forum and a session dedicated to the impact of clinical research within the EU Cancer Mission.

Throughout the event, project showcases and networking opportunities provided space for participants to present their work and connect with other initiatives.

A rare opportunity to strengthen connections across European projects

One of the most valuable aspects of the event was the rare opportunity to bring together representatives of so many EU-funded cancer research projects in one place.

While these initiatives contribute to shared European objectives, opportunities for their representatives to meet face-to-face on such a scale are uncommon. The event therefore provided an especially valuable environment for networking, exchanging experiences, learning from different research approaches and establishing connections that could support future collaborations.

For STREXIT2, participation offered an opportunity to showcase the project’s work while connecting with other initiatives addressing challenges across the cancer research and care continuum.

STREXIT2‘s progress across Europe and beyond

As part of the EU Cancer Mission, STREXIT2 is contributing to the advancement of patient-centred cancer research by investigating the role of chemotherapy before surgery in patients with high-risk primary retroperitoneal sarcoma. This rare cancer develops in the space behind the abdominal cavity, and while surgery remains the main treatment, the potential benefits of preoperative chemotherapy are still being investigated. By collecting real-world data alongside the randomised STRASS2 trial, STREXIT2 aims to strengthen the evidence available to inform future treatment decisions.

As of 15 September 2026, 253 participants had been enrolled across 37 active clinical sites in 13 countries, including countries beyond Europe, representing more than 50% of the project’s recruitment target of 500 patients. Each participant contributes valuable real-world evidence towards understanding treatment outcomes and improving care for people living with this rare cancer.

(Recruitment is ongoing, and participant numbers may have increased since the last update on 15 September 2026.)

Stronger Together: Building Lasting Impact

A key message from the event was that EU-funded research projects should not be viewed as isolated initiatives, but as part of a broader European strategy. Their long-term impact depends not only on individual achievements, but also on sustaining research outcomes, partnerships and collaborations beyond their funding periods.

The event reinforced the importance of connecting projects, sharing knowledge and working towards common goals.

The STREXIT2 consortium thanks the organisers and fellow participants for the valuable exchanges and looks forward to building on these connections to advance cancer research and care across Europe.

Find pitches, presentations, posters, recordings and more pictures here.