A Danish research center for cancer surgery
Our vision is to cure more patients from solid cancer and to improve quality of life beyond surgical cancer treatment.
Latest news
Five New Grants Awarded in ACROBATIC’s August 2025 Call
In the most recent funding round with a deadline on 22 August 2025 , ACROBATIC received a total of nine applications . Following a competitive evaluation process, five new grants have been awarded to research projects that will advance knowledge and innovation in cancer surgery and related fields.
ACROBATIC at the Danish Cancer Research Days 2025
This year marked the 7th edition of the Danish Cancer Research Days , a national conference that brings together clinicians, researchers, patient associations, and decision-makers to exchange knowledge and set a joint agenda for cancer research and treatment in Denmark. The 2025 program focused on the future of a differentiated healthcare system, early detection, new treatment technologies, as well as late effects and follow-up , with a strong emphasis on collaboration and translation of research into clinical practice.
ACROBATIC Travel Grant Recipient Presents at IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer
ACROBATIC congratulates Thomas Budolfsen, Research Assistant , who received an ACROBATIC travel grant of DKK 5,000 to participate in the IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) , held on 6–9 September 2025 in Barcelona, Spain .
ACROBATIC Welcomes Two New Projects
ACROBATIC is pleased to welcome two new research projects that have recently become affiliated with the centre: STROMA (WP 2.28) and DaVulvaMob (WP 2.29) . Both projects strengthen ACROBATIC’s collaborative research network and address key challenges in cancer surgery, aiming to improve evidence-based decision-making and patient outcomes. WP 2.28 WP leader: Charles Vesteghem , Center for Clinical Data Science (CLINDA), Aalborg University & Aalborg University Hospital, and Clinical Cancer Research Centre, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark Title: Solid Tumour Resectability and Operability Decision Support Using Multimodal AI (STROMA) Abstract: Complete surgical resection (R0) is crucial for improving survival and quality of life in patients with malignant solid tumours. However, preoperative assessment of resectability and operability remains challenging, despite advances in imaging and multidisciplinary team (MDT) evaluation. Incomplete resections significantly increase recurrence risk, while inaccurate operability assessments may deny patients curative treatment or expose them to surgical risk. This project aims to develop and evaluate artificial intelligence (AI)-based decision-support tools combining imaging and electronic health registry data to improve preoperative prediction of resectability and operability in cancer patients. The primary objective is an AI model for colorectal cancer resectability using retrospective data. Secondary aims include assessing operability in colorectal cancer and extending models to ovarian cancer, sarcoma, breast cancer, and bladder cancer, with the goal of a generic predictive framework for solid tumours as well as conducting a prospective validation. The study will use multimodal AI methods integrating structured data (e.g., laboratory results, comorbidities), unstructured data (clinical notes, reports), and imaging (CT, MRI, PET, ultrasound). Development will proceed from regional pilot cohorts to national datasets, applying transfer learning for cross-cancer applicability. Data will be processed within secure high-performance computing environments, with prospective validation planned in a randomised clinical design. Leveraging Denmark’s comprehensive, population-wide health data, the project strives to enhance MDT decision-making, reduce unnecessary surgeries, improve surgical margins, and ultimately optimise patient outcomes. Successful implementation may support regulatory approval and provide a transferable methodology for AI-based surgical decision support across multiple cancer types.
ACROBATIC
ACROBATIC is a Danish research center and collaborative network consisting of surgeons, clinicians, experts, and researchers within the field of surgical oncology.
Clinical Focus Areas
Through national studies, ACROBATIC works to create evidence to support surgical treatment of cancer, which has the potential to be tailored the individual patient. The work is executed within the three prioritized Clinical Focus Areas (CFAs), prehabilitation, surgical innovation, and survivorship, which are relevant across the 11 participating Danish Multidisciplinary Cancer Groups (DMCGs).
Work Packages
ACROBATIC has more than 43 research projects called Work Packages (WPs), which are covered by one or more of the Clinical Focus Areas (CFAs) and supported by the National Infrastructures (NIs). The research projects address and reduce known barriers within surgical research and support a broader patient, health, and community perspective.
National Infrastructures
ACROBATIC has eight defined National Infrastructures (NIs) that address and reduce known barriers in surgical research, support a broader patient, health care and societal perspective, and contribute to the consolidation of a strong national cross- and inter-disciplinary research collaboration.
Fund your research in surgical oncology
Two times a year ACROBATIC grant new and current projects within surgical oncology.
Next application deadline: 16th January 2026 at 10:59 PM