Shaping the Future of Cancer Care: Danish Cancer Research Days 2024
Denmark’s largest interdisciplinary cancer conference spotlights innovation, strategic priorities, and collaboration for advancing patient care
Denmark’s largest interdisciplinary cancer conference “Danish Cancer Research Days 2024” (Danske Kræftforskningsdage 2024/DKD2024) took place on August 29-30 in Odense, bringing together two dynamic days centered on essential and strategic priorities in the field of cancer.
The cancer landscape is in constant flux, with new technologies and treatments rapidly transforming possibilities and patient care. This sector faces increasing pressures, highlighting the need for prioritization. But which priorities are essential, and how can they be made wisely?
This theme was at the heart of Denmark’s largest cancer conference, hosted by DCCC and DMCG.dk, which gathered clinicians, researchers, patient organizations, and policymakers. Held at ODEON in Odense, the conference featured a program curated by leading experts and management teams from hospitals and universities across Denmark. It emphasized how to best leverage new knowledge and foster collaboration to provide the highest quality care for Danish cancer patients.
Some ACROBATIC members participated in the conference, and at ACROBATIC, we were proud to hear about the exciting updates from our affiliated projects. Caroline Lilja (WP 2.9), and Anna Bertoli Borgognoni (WP 2.11) presented their projects affiliated to ACROBATIC at the poster session:
WP 2.9: WP leaders Tine Engberg Damsgaard og Jens Ahm Sørensen
Title: Surgical Treatment Algorithm For Breast Cancer Lymphedema: A Systematic Review
Introduction: Technical and supermicrosurgical advancements have revitalized surgical treatments for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), which previously suff ered from limited success. The effi cacy of lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA), vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT), and liposuction is still unclear, and selecting appropriate patients for each treatment approach is crucial.The aim of this systematic review is to assess the eff ectiveness of these three surgical options to develop a patient-centered treatment algorithm.
Method: We conducted a search of electronic databases including Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.org. Eligible studies were randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, and observational studies that assessed the outcomes of LVA, VLNT, or liposuction. The primary outcome were changes in arm volume, lymph fl ow, and quality of life. Study selection and data extraction were done by two independent reviewers, followed by a risk of bias assessment.
Results: Out of 16,593 papers reviewed, 73 fulfi lled our criteria. Due to low quality of evidence, and considerable heterogeneity, data was narratively presented. Liposuction is signifi cantly eff ective for non-pitting lymphedema. LVA showed inconsistent results, with a tendency of reduced limb volume and symptomatic relief in mild lymphedema. VLNT demonstrated encouraging results for limb volume reduction and symptom improvement in patients with mild and moderate lymphedema.
Conclusion: By conducting this review, we developed a patient-centered treatment algorithm. Liposuction is eff ective for treating non-pitting lymphedema. LVA and VLNT might be effective when targeted for the appropriate patient. Well-conducted high-evidence studies in the fi eld are still lacking to uncover the effi cacy of surgical treatments for BCRL.
Introduction: Total tumour removal is the primary factor of consideration in surgical resection. Several techniques exist for tumour reconstructive surgery. Recently, 3D printing has undergone tremendous development and now has important applications in orthopaedic. A major improvement is the possibility to print prosthesis, which are custom made for the single patient. Currently, when a customised 3D printed prosthesis is needed, an outside order must be placed, and the procedure is usually time consuming, making it impossible to fall within the time interval of the law. A collaboration between a 3DP centre in Aarhus University Hospital (AUH) and the Danish Technological Institute (DTI), allow us to manufacture custom-made 3D printed metal implant in-house. Aim of this study was to assess the osseointegration of 3D-printed titanium implants through a validated randomised animal study.
Methods: 20 stable, non-weight-loaded, 6*10 mm cylindrical implants were 3D printed by DTI: 10 with a rough and 10 with a smooth surface. Implants were randomised and implanted into the left humerus of 20 skeletally mature sheep. After 4 weeks of observation all sheep were euthanised. The specimens were collected and cut into blokes, each containing an implant and surrounding tissue. Biomechanical testing was performed as failure by push-out test on an Instron Universal Test Machine.
Results: Implants with a smooth surface demonstrate complete absence of osseointegration, as they fall out of the bone during sample preparation. Testing was therefore not possible in this group. Porous implants showed macroscopic integration and breaking point at implant surface. We measured a median Ultimate Shear Strength of 0,06 MPa (IQR:1,14), a median Apparent Shear Stiff ness of 0,16 MPa/mm (IQR:0,48) and a median Energy Absorption of 19,98 J/m2 (IQR:25,80).
Conclusion: Our study shows superior osseointegration in 3DP implants with a porous surface.
