Collegial visits can shape the future of Cancer Treatment

Advancing Precision Diagnostics through Peer Learning in Europe

Collegial visits between European Comprehensive Cancer Centres are proving to be powerful catalysts for structured collaboration and innovation in cancer care. As part of the networking activities within the European Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres (EUnetCCC), experts from the Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena in Rome visited Oslo University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Their shared goal: to exchange experience, initiate collaboration and improve molecular precision diagnostics workflows—ultimately enabling improved targeted, personalised treatment for cancer patients.

Why Precision Diagnostics Matters

Across Europe, the shift toward precision oncology is accelerating. Molecular diagnostics harness the power of high-throughput sequencing coupled with advanced biomarker analysis to open new pathways for personalised therapies, unlocking access to clinical trials, and offering treatment options beyond the traditional standard-of-care. Molecular Tumour Boards (MTBs) have become an essential part of this transformation, bringing together multidisciplinary teams—including molecular biologists, bioinformaticians and pathologists—to guide treatment decisions based on the specific biomarkers revealed through molecular analysis.

Key Highlights from the Visit (3–4 November 2025)

On 3–4 November 2025, the Oslo University Hospital Department of Pathology welcomed a delegation from the Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena. Supported by the European Commission through the EUnetCCC Joint Action, this visit brought together diagnostic staff from both institutions to engage in structured peer learning.

Per Magnus Mæhle and Live Fagereng welcoming the delegation from Regina Elena

Peer Learning in Action

· The delegation participated in Norway’s national molecular tumour board at the Radiumhospital, gaining insight into how cases from across the country are discussed and matched to tailored therapies.

· Regina Elena shared valuable experience from their own established MTB protocol, national strategies for implementation and harmonisation of new biomarkers and Italy’s standardised national genomics reporting system.

· Italian teams described their monthly online molecular diagnostics meetings and annual national conference convening molecular biologists and bioinformaticians to harmonise approaches.

Maurizio Fanciulli presents for Oslo University Hospital staff

Identifying Bottlenecks and Solutions

By bringing homologous teams together, the visit created space to discuss:

· workflow optimisation for high-throughput molecular testing

· integration of novel diagnostics into clinical pathways

· strategies to expand patient access to precision oncology

· workforce needs and continuous professional development

· opportunities for harmonisation and shared standards across centres

Teams from both Regina Elena and Oslo University Hospital

Impact: Strengthening Europe’s Precision Oncology Ecosystem

Such collegial visits are more than exchanges—they provide the foundation for structured collaboration between hospitals that again will lead to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, strengthen interoperability across European cancer centres, and support the broader mission of equitable access to precision cancer care. Both institutions identified several areas for future collaboration, ensuring that this momentum continues.

With the rapid evolution of genomics, molecular pathology, and bioinformatics, sustained collaboration is essential. Perhaps the next step will bring the Norwegian Infrastructure for Precision Diagnostics to Italy’s annual molecular diagnostics meeting—continuing this circle of shared learning.

Next Steps

· Participate in Italy’s annual molecular diagnostics forum

· Design the forthcoming MTB summit under EUnetCCC

· Explore harmonised genomic reporting formats and workflows

· Facilitate visits under EUnetCCC to adopt key bioinformatics tools

· Curate educational materials for molecular biologists and bioinformaticians

By working together, European cancer centres can accelerate the shift toward personalised medicine and create a more equitable landscape for patients. This visit marks another step forward in building a truly interconnected precision oncology community.