Closing the Gap: Quality Cancer Treatment & Diagnosis for All

In Greece as in the EU, cancer is expected to become the leading cause of death over the next decade. The pace of innovation in oncology is tremendous and unprecedented: newly approved drugs abound; precision oncology and immunotherapy are gradually becoming a reality; and patients are having access to an increasing number of treatment options that help them live longer with better quality of life. In an effort to approach more effective treatments for cancer and rare diseases both the research-scientific community and pharmaceutical companies have also turned their attention to the field of personalized medicine. Personalized medicine promises to significantly increase the drugs’ effectiveness while reducing the side effects of treatment, thus improving patients’ quality of life during their treatment.

On the other hand, in today’s challenging economic climate, many governments are targeting their health care systems to increase efficiency and curtail expenditure in the context of broader austerity programs. Amidst all this, the biggest challenge moving ahead is to build and ensure a robust health systems response for cancer control. A national cancer plan is also instrumental and remains critical in optimizing access and treatment for patients, getting the right balance between the cost of innovation and sustainability for continued affordable access to innovative cancer treatments.

The aim of the conference is to explore opportunities for greater multi-stakeholder cooperation and a more integrated approach to cancer care as key drivers to deliver sustainable and high-value care for patients. Best practices at a national and international level will contribute to the dialogue aiming at significantly improving cancer patient outcomes and reducing the financial burden targeted to this disease.

Putting Patient Care First |
EU Joint Action on Rare Cancers (JARC)

Scientific Committee

President

Odysseas Zoras, MD, PhD FACS, Rector of the University of Crete, Professor in Surgical Oncology, University of Crete, Medical School, Head of the Department of Surgical Oncology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Member of the BoD of the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO), Past President of the Hellenic Society of Surgical Oncology (HSSO)

Members

Maria Gazouli, PhD, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Zoe Grammatoglou, Chairman of the Board, K.E.F.I. Association of Cancer Patients Of Athens
Manio Korleti, Vice President, AgkaliaZO - Group of Volunteers Against Cancer
Paris Kosmidis, Medical Oncologist at Hygeia Hospital, past ESMO President
Zenia Saridaki-Zoras, MD, PhD Medical Oncologist, Scientific Director of the Oncology Department “Asklepios”, Member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology
Athanassios Vozikis, Assistant Professor, Director of the Laboratory of Health Economics and Management, Economics Dept., School of Economics, Business and International Studies, University of Piraeus

Conference’s Scope

Showcase the current state-of-the-art in the area of oncology and PM and explore research and innovation challenges for advancing the field to the benefit of patients and citizens
Look at challenges and drivers for bringing innovative cancer and PM approaches to the market, including how a better understanding of value can drive innovation and what the role of regulators should be
Recognize the importance of reimbursement for diagnostics and therapeutics that serve as the foundation of cancer and personalized medicine by working to alleviate confusion and contention between innovators and payers
Present new paradigms for targeted therapies, new anti-cancer agents and European drug development initiatives, market access to novel cancer drugs, regulatory issues in marketing authorisation of anti-cancer products, gene and cell therapies and trial endpoints and developing cancer vaccines
Encourage innovation by supporting health information technology, evidence generation and patient engagement with the goals of increasing system efficiency and maximizing value for patients
Facilitate the move towards a patient centric healthcare model by developing common principles and practices

Key Issues

Key Issues to be discussed

The Impact of Cancer to Public Health, Economy and Society
Novel Approaches to the Treatment of Cancer
Innovation: Vanguard in the Battle Against Cancer
The Impact of Precision Medicine on the Future of Healthcare
Advances in Personalized Medicine and Targeted therapies: Benefits for patients and health system
Patient perspective on Personalised Medicine and how patient organisations empower the community
The role of patients and healthcare provider in translational medicine
The health economic impact of increasing patient engagement
Personalised therapies and diagnostics - the challenges to market entry
Experience of implementing personalised medicine approaches in EU countries
Opportunity for collaborative research and collaboration between academia and industry and health providers for sustainability

Who should attend

Government representatives
National health system regulators and administrators
Academic Society
Consultants
Researchers
Radiologists
Chemotherapists
Pathologists
Patient Advocates and Patient Groups
Healthcare Industry representatives (Pharmaceutical Companies, Medical Devices Manufacturing Companies, Diagnostics Companies)
Students
Journalists

International speakers

Jan Geissler Jan Geissler is founder and managing director of Patvocates, acting as advisor on patient advocacy, health policy and social media. From 2012-2017, he has been the Director of the 'European Patients Academy' (EUPATI), which has developed education about medicines development processes. He is now coordinating the team that takes change of the evolution of EUPATI.

Peter Hohenberger Peter Hohenberger, MD, is Head of the Division of Surgical Oncology and Thoracic Surgery at the Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg (UMM). He is a boarded surgeon in visceral and vascular surgery as well as in thoracic surgery and surgical intensive care.

Panos Kanavos Panos Kanavos (BSc, MSc (Oxon), MSc (LSE), PhD) is Associate Professor in International Health Policy in the Department of Social Policy, London School of Economics (LSE), Deputy Director at LSE Health, and Programme Director of the Medical Technology Research Group (MTRG) at LSE Health.

Annalisa Trama Dr. Annalisa Trama graduated cum laude in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Rome "La Sapienza"(1993-1999). She obtained her Master’s in health services/system research from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2001-2002), she specialized in Public Health from University “La Sapienza”– Rome (1999-2003). She obtained her PhD in Public Health from University “La Sapienza”– Rome (2004-2006).

Speakers

Confirmed Speakers & Moderators

Ioannis Baskozos, Secretary General for Public Health, Ministry of Health
Christos Antonopoulos, MD, PhD, Business Unit Director Oncology, AstraZeneca
Paschal Apostolides, President of the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies (SFEE), General Manager at AbbVie Pharmaceuticals S.A. - ‎AbbVie
Kathi Apostolidis, President - Hellenic Cancer Federation-ELL.O.K. Vice President of ECPC-European Cancer Patient Coalition
Dr. Vasilios Barbounis, President, Greek College of Senology, Medical Oncologist, Head of 3rd Department of Medical Oncology, “Metropolitan” Hospital, Athens, Greece
Ioannis Boukovinas, MD, PhD, PharmaD, Medical Oncologist, Head of Oncology Unit, "Bioclinic", Thessaloniki, Greece, President of the Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology (HeSMO)
Εvangelos Filopoulos, President, Hellenic Cancer Society, Surgeon, Director of the Breast Cancer Clinic "Agios Savvas"
Maria Gazouli, PhD, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Hara Kani, Head of Medicines Administration Planning & Monitoring, Directorate of Medicines, National Organization for Health Services (EOPYY)
Ioannis Mountzios, MSc, PhD, Consultant Medical Oncologist, 251 Airforce General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Patrina Paparrigopoulou, Professor, Law School, University of Athens
Apostolos Pourtsidis, M.D., PhD, President, Hellenic Society of Pediatric Hematology- Oncology (HeSPHO), Director NHS, Oncology Department, ‘P. and A. Kyriakou’ Children’s Hospital, Athens, Member of Clinical Research Council of European branch of International Society in Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE CRC), Collaborating Member of European Expert Paediatric Oncology Reference Network for Diagnostics and Treatment (ExPO-r-Net)
Amanda Psyrri, Associate Professor of Medical Oncology, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Chief of Oncology, Attikon University Hospital
Theofilos Rozenberg, President of Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO)
Zenia Saridaki-Zoras, MD, PhD Medical Oncologist, Scientific Director of the Oncology Department “Asklepios”, Member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology
Kyriakos Souliotis, Vice Rector and Associate Professor of Health Policy, University of Peloponnese, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
Kostas Stamatopoulos, MD, Director, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Center for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki
Kostas N. Syrigos, M.D., Ph.D., FCCP , Professor of Medicine & Medical Oncology, Head, 3rd Department of Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital, Athens School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University, GR, Adj. Professor of Medicine, Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA, Vis. Professor of Thoracic Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, USA
Nektarios Tavernarakis, Professor of Molecular Systems Biology, Medical School, University of Crete, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), Research Director, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB)
George Vassilopoulos, MD PhD, Professor of Hematology, University of Thessaly Medical School, Head, Division of Hematology Larisa University Hospital, Affiliate Investigator, Group Leader Cell and Gene Therapy Lab BRFAA, Athens
Athanassios Vozikis, Assistant Professor, Director of the Laboratory of Health Economics and Management, Economics Dept., School of Economics, Business and International Studies, University of Piraeus
Odysseas Zoras, MD, PhD FACS, Rector of the University of Crete, Professor in Surgical Oncology, University of Crete, Medical School, Head of the Department of Surgical Oncology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Member of the BoD of the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO), Past President of the Hellenic Society of Surgical Oncology (HSSO)