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A European “shield” against colorectal cancer
The ONCOSCREEN MISSION
Modern healthcare systems need to offer new non-invasive methods for colorectal cancer screening and to improve its early detection. Such methods need to be affordable, accessible, and applicable to large parts of the population in order to effectively prevent the development of colorectal cancer.
The Challenge
ONCOSCREEN project responds to this challenge and plans to develop a ground-breaking set of technologies and methods for colorectal cancer screening. In close cooperation with other Mission Cancer projects, ONCOSCREEN will provide solutions for risk-stratified cancer screening programmes for citizens, an integrated diagnostic decision support tool for clinicians as well as intelligent monitoring tools for policy makers. The project will collaborate closely with national cancer mission hubs to facilitate policy dialogue on cancer and related research actions.
The ONCOSCREEN Solution
The generated ONCOSCREEN tools will be extensively validated through clinical studies with 4100 European citizens and patients participating from 10 different countries. The views and perspectives of citizens and patients will be incorporated through a participatory co-design approach, further reinforced by open innovation and FAIR data. The aim is ultimately to have the solutions adopted by public healthcare systems and everyday clinical practice across Europe.
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The Project by numbers
Cutting-Edge Clinical Trials Across Europe
ONCOSCREEN is leading a groundbreaking clinical validation study designed to revolutionize how colorectal cancer is detected and managed across Europe. The project spans 4,100 participants and involves 15 clinical sites in 10 EU countries, making it one of the most comprehensive efforts of its kind in the region.
The trials are focused on evaluating four non-invasive, innovative screening technologies that aim to significantly improve early detection, reduce reliance on traditional colonoscopies, and enhance patient comfort and compliance. These methods are being tested in both screening-naïve populations and in individuals who have previously undergone standard screening procedures, ensuring a broad and realistic assessment of their clinical utility.
Each participant undergoes multiple screening tests—paired with the gold-standard colonoscopy—for rigorous scientific comparison. The collected data will help assess the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of each new test and determine how they might be integrated into national cancer prevention strategies.
ONCOSCREEN’s trials not only represent a scientific milestone but also serve a public health mission: helping reduce the burden of colorectal cancer by catching it early—when it is most treatable—and making the process safer, faster, and more accessible for all Europeans.
Innovative Screening Technologies Under Evaluation
The clinical trials focus on four groundbreaking screening methods:
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ONCO CTC: Utilizes circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood samples as a “liquid biopsy” to detect cancer cells that have entered the bloodstream.
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ONCO NMR: Employs nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to analyze blood serum and plasma, offering a non-invasive diagnostic tool with high specificity and sensitivity.
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ONCO CRISPR: Applies CRISPR-Cas9 technology to identify specific genetic biomarkers associated with colorectal cancer, enabling precise detection from minimally invasive samples.
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ONCO VOC: Analyzes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath using advanced nanomaterial sensors and AI, providing rapid and non-invasive screening results.
Participating Clinical Trial Sites
The ONCOSCREEN clinical trials are being conducted at multiple esteemed institutions across Europe, including:
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Portugal: IPO Porto
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Germany: UMC Mainz, Lübeck UKSH
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Lithuania: LSMU Lithuania
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Hungary: University of Szeged, Semmelweis University
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Greece: AHEPA University Hospital
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Romania: IOB Romania
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Bulgaria: University Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Oncology, Military Medical Academy Sofia
These collaborative efforts aim to validate and implement effective colorectal cancer screening methods across diverse populations.
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