Current topics | Research

iCAN national programme launched: 2.5 million euros funding for regional cancer centers' biobank projects

Published on 28.6.2024

Tampere University

A person working in laboratory environment.

Photo: Jonne Renvall / Tampere University

The projects launched within the framework of the Finnish Cancer Centre FICAN will expand the molecular profiling of cancer throughout Finland. The projects are part of the iCAN research project. Its aim is to identify new treatment targets by combining molecular profiling data on cancerous tumours and other patient health information. Tampere's share of the funding is 625 000 euros.

The iCAN digital personalised cancer medicine project is one of the Academy of Finland's flagships of research. The project has been launched in cooperation between the University of Helsinki and HUS Helsinki University Hospital within the framework of the Southern Cancer Center. With the projects now being launched, it will expand to all regional centres of the FICAN National Cancer Center in cooperation with regional biobanks.

In the iCAN project, researchers analyse molecular changes in cancer tumour samples and how the immune system and healthy tissues respond to them. This will help to identify correlations and new targets for treatment. Samples are taken from patients who have given a biobank consent.

The iCAN-Tampere project of the FICAN Mid cancer center processes for the individual treatment of colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. The principal investigators are Associate Professor (tenure track) Toni Seppälä and Professor Matti Nykter from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology. The Tampere Biobank is a collaborating partner.

"The iCAN national programme is a significant step towards increasing the collection of fresh cancer samples, which is important for diagnostics, throughout Finland. In total, the projects aim to analyse cancer samples from up to 2,000 patients," says Dean Johanna Arola, Chair of the National Programme Steering Group at the University of Helsinki.

"Fresh sample collection enables new, more accurate analyses of patient samples and provides opportunities for more accurate diagnostics and may thus affect treatment options. In the challenging situation of the wellbeing services counties, this significant funding for molecular cancer profiling in four regional cancer centres is very welcome," says Pia Vihinen, oncologist and deputy member of the steering group of the iCAN national programme and director of the Western Cancer Centre.

The National Cancer Centre FICAN consists of five regional cancer centres established by medical universities and hospital districts and a national coordinating unit. Regional iCAN projects are supported both through funding from the iCAN flagship, the Academy of Finland, and through regional support. The iCAN national programme is an agreement between the participating wellbeing services counties and universities, and it supports FICAN's national cancer precision medicine programme.