Twinning to reduce research and innovation inequalities in paediatric solid tumours across Europe

Inequalities in research and innovations affect childhood cancer survival across Europe. Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos (VULSK, the coordinator) and eight research-intensive institutions from seven European countries implemented the TREL project (Twinning in Research and Education to improve survival in childhood solid tumours in Lithuania) supported by the Horizon 2020 Widening programme. TREL aimed to enhance translational, clinical, and survivorship research in paediatric CNS, neuroblastoma, and renal tumours to improve future treatment outcomes in Lithuania. From January 2021 to December 2023, 49 VULSK professionals and 55 peers from partner institutions collaborated in this twinning program. Achievements after three years were: nine educational events, the initiation of basic and clinical research on fertility preservation, ten VULSK researchers joining international research groups, six signed agreements to participate in international academic clinical trials and the implementation of the European Survivorship Passport. Thirty patients received individual treatment recommendations following multidisciplinary discussions with experts from partner institutions. Twenty-five rare genetic variants were classified by the twinning bioinformatician teams with direct consequences on patient management. In conclusion, coordination of the Horizon 2020 project enhanced VULKS’s research capacities, networking channels and attractiveness for industry and academia-initiated innovative actions that will improve survival rates in the long run.