Often referred to as a “silent killer”, ovarian cancer is the most lethal of female cancers. Issues of late detection and poor survival rates continue to persevere, leading to increasing levels of incidence and mortality. Data from the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition has stressed that ovarian cancer must be recognised as a global health issue, one that should be prioritised at a local, national, and international level and across all socio-economic backgrounds. In response to this urgent health challenge, the European Union, in coordination with the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA), has launched DISARM, a Horizon Europe Innovation Action project that brings together 28 partners from 12 countries, including 10 EU Member States, the UK, and Canada. Officially launched on September 1st, 2025, the ambition of the DISARM project is to help close significant gaps that exist in hereditary ovarian cancer management today, promoting both advanced risk assessment and early detection strategies as pivotal to this effort.
Mature technologies ready for large-scale deployment will be combined with emerging innovations, providing evidence and pathways for healthcare systems to incorporate more effective approaches into routine ovarian cancer practice. Funded under the EU Mission on Cancer and coordinated by the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS), Greece, DISARM will run for 4 years with a total budget of €13.2 million. The project’s foundation is comprised of four key pillars:
• Pillar A: Ovarian cancer risk assessment in routine healthcare, investigating multifactorial risk assessment versus standard practices in four EU Member States (Lithuania, Portugal, Czech Republic, Greece).
• Pillar B: Early detection of ovarian cancer through a set of highly accurate, easy-to-use, and affordable technologies to be upscaled and validated in five countries (UK, Lithuania, Portugal, Czech Republic, Greece).
• Pillar C: Intelligent digital assets to optimally support and enhance risk assessment (Pillar A) and early detection (Pillar B), and; • Pillar D: Activities to ensure the adoption and uptake of the project’s solutions into routine healthcare practice.
Speaking about the launch of DISARM and its impact, Project Coordinator Dr. Angelos Amditis, expressed his excitement for the endeavour: “DISARM aspires to lay the groundwork for concrete advancements in hereditary ovarian cancer management. Harnessing world-class expertise in the fight against cancer, the project envisions a future where early detection of ovarian cancer becomes standard. ”
Building on this vision, Dr. Dimitra Dionysiou, Scientific Co-Coordinator of DISARM, highlighted the importance of linking innovation to real-world needs: “Our focus in DISARM is on bringing together scientific and technological innovation with real-world considerations, with the hope of making our technologies widely accessible and truly improving the lives of women.”
From a clinical perspective, Dr. Fátima Vaz, Medical Oncology Director at IPO Lisboa, Portugal, and Clinical Coordinator of DISARM, underlined the project’s role in supporting healthcare goals across Europe: “DISARM supports key goals, including expanding access to genetic testing for hereditary ovarian cancer, promoting equity across Europe, raising awareness and strengthening prevention efforts against this deadly disease. I consider the clinical evaluation of promising early detection methods vital for women at risk of ovarian cancer.”
With its broad geographic coverage and international collaboration, DISARM seeks to implement transformative advancements in ovarian cancer management across Europe and beyond. ENDS This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101214318.
- For media queries, contact: Ben Moore Senior EU Project Manager, Carr Communications bmoore@carrcommunications.ie
- For project related queries, contact: Dr Angelos Amditis Research and Development Director, I-SENSE Group, ICCS a.amditis@iccs.gr
- Dr. Dimitra Dionysiou Health Technologies Division Leader, i-SENSE Group, ICCS dimitra.dionysiou@iccs.gr
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