Improving treatment for cancers affecting the abdomen and lungs

Pioneering the Next Era of Cancer Care Across Europe

IMPACT is a six-year project coordinated by Ghent University to improve treatment for people with peritoneal metastases and malignant pleural effusion.

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Surgical team at work in an operating theatre

About the IMPACT project

Generating evidence for aerosolised cancer care.

IMPACT is a Horizon Europe project under the EU Mission on Cancer, bringing together 13 organisations, focusing on assessing whether Aerosolised Drug Delivery (ADD) Delivering a medicine as a fine aerosol directly into the affected body cavity, rather than relying only on treatment circulating through the bloodstream. can improve treatment for two conditions that are difficult to treat and take a heavy toll on quality of life.

  • Peritoneal metastases (PM) Cancer that has spread to the lining and surfaces of the abdominal cavity. IMPACT focuses on peritoneal metastases originating from colorectal and gastric cancers.
  • Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) A build-up of fluid in the space around the lungs caused by cancer, which can lead to symptoms such as breathlessness.
Cancer researcher preparing laboratory samples

What IMPACT will do

Three trials. Evidence health systems can use.

Treat where the disease is

Chemotherapy as a fine aerosol, delivered into the abdominal or pleural cavity rather than only through the bloodstream.

Three randomised trials

Effectiveness, safety and quality of life in colorectal cancer, gastric cancer and malignant pleural effusion.

Ready for real care

Patient experience, cost-effectiveness and how this could be introduced across European health systems.

Our stakeholders

Who this evidence is for

From clinic to policy, IMPACT works with the groups who will need these results — and the people they are meant to help.

  • Clinicians and cancer centres

    Trial data, safety profiles and implementation protocols for Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy A technique that delivers chemotherapy as a pressurised aerosol into the abdominal cavity during a minimally invasive procedure. and Pressurized Intrathoracic Aerosol Chemotherapy A related technique that delivers aerosolised chemotherapy into the chest or pleural cavity. across European centres of excellence.

  • Patients, caregivers and advocates

    Clear information on the trials, quality of life, and ways to take part in the research.

  • Researchers

    Clinical data, bio-banked samples and methods to support translational research and medical education.

  • MedTech, SMEs and pharma

    Data on device usability, aerosolised delivery systems, and electrostatic precipitation (Electrostatic Precipitation A technique using an electrostatic field to help aerosolised treatment deposit more effectively. IMPACT will investigate whether it can improve drug distribution and penetration into tumour tissue.).

  • Policymakers and payers

    Health Technology Assessments (Health Technology Assessment The systematic assessment of the clinical, economic and wider value of a healthcare intervention. IMPACT will use this to examine cost-effectiveness across European healthcare systems.), cost-effectiveness evidence and a path into European health systems.

  • Citizens and specialist media

    Public updates on the evidence, through health and oncology media.

Our reach

IMPACT in numbers

3

Clinical trials

500+

Patients planned across the trials

30+

Clinical sites across Europe

IMPACT project partners

A European consortium of 13 organisations

From academic hospitals to patient advocacy and industry, IMPACT brings together clinical, scientific, health-economic, technological and policy expertise from across Europe.

Alesi Surgical Limited Bocconi University Capnopharm GmbH Consorci Sanitari Integral Digestive Cancers Europe European Cancer Organisation European Society of Surgical Oncology Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS Ghent University Heidelberg University Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier Region of Southern Denmark University of Southern Denmark

Stay up to date with IMPACT

Follow the latest project news, research milestones and developments from across the IMPACT consortium.

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