Important EU Project

18/08/2026

📢 New publication from the IMPORTANT EU Project!

We are pleased to share a new publication by our project partner University of Patras (UPAT), published in Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence:

“From mechanistic models to artificial intelligence: exploring the potential of digital twins in geriatric oncology”

The study explores how mechanistic modelling, artificial intelligence and machine learning can come together to advance digital twins in geriatric oncology.

Focusing on older people with cancer, the researchers examine the potential of hybrid digital twins to combine interpretable biological models with data-driven AI approaches, supporting more personalised and adaptive treatment strategies.

The study also presents a proof-of-concept in breast cancer, using comprehensive geriatric assessment, clinical tests and quality-of-life measures to explore how computational approaches could support treatment and dosing decisions.

This work contributes to the broader goals of IMPORTANT: generating knowledge and tools that can help advance more individualised treatment approaches for older patients with breast cancer.

👏 Congratulations to the UPAT team — Panagiotis Karampelesis, Spyros Denazis, Odysseas Koufopavlou and Evangelia Zacharaki — on this publication!
🔗 Read the open-access article:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2026.1760912/full
🇪🇺 IMPORTANT is funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe.


Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

This survey explores how machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) can be integrated with mechanistic models to create more accurate, dynamic, predic...

27/07/2026

📣 IMPORTANT Newsletter #19 is now available!

This latest edition shares key recruitment updates and new research from the IMPORTANT trial, which is investigating whether a lower initial dose of CDK4/6 inhibitors can achieve similar time-to-treatment failure compared with full-dose treatment, while potentially reducing treatment discontinuations caused by toxicity in older patients with advanced breast cancer.

Highlights from July 2026:

🔹 All 13 trial sites are open for recruitment
🔹 133 patients have been included and 124 randomized, as of 30 June 2026
🔹 Three additional sites in Greece are preparing to open for recruitment
🔹 A new consortium-led Research Letter on CDK4/6 inhibitor dosing patterns among older patients with metastatic breast cancer has been published in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology

Recruitment remains open until April 2027. Every patient counts as we work to generate robust evidence that can support safer, more individualized treatment decisions for older people with breast cancer.
🌐 Learn more: https://important-project.com/



The IMPORTANT project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101104589. The UK participant in the IMPORTANT project is supported by UKRI grant No. 10072029.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

27/07/2026

📢 New publication from the IMPORTANT project

We are delighted to share a new Research Letter published in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology:
"CDK4/6 inhibitor dose patterns among older patients with metastatic breast cancer: A multinational survey study"
The study presents findings from a survey of 123 oncologists across Finland, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain and Sweden, exploring how CDK4/6 inhibitors are prescribed for older patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.

The results highlight considerable variation in clinical practice. In the first-line setting, 71.5% of respondents reported using a reduced starting dose in some older patients, most commonly because of impaired performance status, comorbidities or functional limitations. The findings underline the current uncertainty surrounding optimal dosing and the need for prospective clinical evidence to support treatment decisions for older adults.
This work directly contributes to the objectives of IMPORTANT EU Project. The project is conducting a pragmatic clinical study to generate evidence that can support more individualised treatment and follow-up approaches for older patients with advanced breast cancer.

🔗 Read the open-access publication:
https://www.geriatriconcology.net/article/S1879-4068(26)00222-5/fulltext


Funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe Grant Agreement No. 101104589.

10/06/2026

The IMPORTANT Project consortium has successfully completed its 5th project meeting in Helsinki, Finland!

On 9 June 2026, partners gathered in Helsinki for a full-day meeting dedicated to reflecting on the progress achieved so far, exchanging updates from across the consortium, and aligning on the priorities that will guide the next phase of the project.

The discussions offered an important opportunity to look closely at ongoing project activities, including recruitment progress, dissemination efforts, research outputs, pilot developments, and ethics and compliance. The meeting also created valuable space for partners to share perspectives, address key priorities, and strengthen collaboration across the different workstreams.

As the IMPORTANT Project moves forward, the consortium remains focused on its shared goal: contributing to more individualised treatment approaches and stronger evidence generation for older patients with advanced breast cancer.

A warm thank you to all partners for their valuable contributions, constructive discussions, and continued commitment to the project.

Funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe grant agreement No. 101104589. The UK participant in Horizon Europe Project IMPORTANT is supported by UKRI grant number 10072029.

11/05/2026

📢 The IMPORTANT Trial Newsletter #17 is out!
In this May 2026 edition, we share the latest updates from the IMPORTANT trial, including:
✅ All 13 sites are now open for recruitment
✅ 118 patients included and 109 randomized as of 30 April 2026
✅ Updates on the trial’s adaptive design and patient-centered adaptations
✅ Latest information on the toxicity-driven interim analysis
✅ Key reminders for participating sites and study teams
The IMPORTANT trial continues working to generate high-quality evidence on dose optimization of CDK4/6 inhibitors in older breast cancer patients, helping support more individualized treatment and follow-up approaches in real-world clinical practice.

Funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe grant agreement No. 101104589. The UK participant in Horizon Europe Project IMPORTANT is supported by UKRI grant number 10072029.

16/03/2026

📍 IMPORTANT Trial presented at the EUnetCCC - European Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres Symposium

We are pleased to share that the IMPORTANT trial poster was presented at the first symposium hosted by the EU-funded Joint Action EUnetCCC - European Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres, organised in collaboration with the European Academy of Cancer Sciences.

The symposium, “Innovating Cancer Care Through De-escalation Studies”, brought together experts from across Europe to discuss how high-quality de-escalation studies can help optimise cancer treatment while maintaining the best possible outcomes for patients.

The IMPORTANT trial contributes to this discussion by exploring how geriatric assessment can support dose optimisation of CDK4/6 inhibitors in older patients with breast cancer, helping advance more personalised and patient-centred treatment strategies.

12/03/2026

🚀 IMPORTANT Trial – Recruitment Milestone
We are excited to share that the IMPORTANT trial (IMPlementing geriatric assessment for dose Optimization of CDK4/6 inhibitors in older bReasT cAncer patieNTs) continues to make strong progress.

👥 101 patients have been enrolled so far
🏥 13 clinical sites are currently open for recruitment

Collaboration across Europe is helping accelerate evidence generation to optimize treatment for older breast cancer patients.
A big thank you to all clinical teams, partners and patients contributing to this important effort. Every patient enrolled brings us one step closer to improving more personalized cancer care.

10/03/2026

🎥 New video: Why dose optimisation matters for older people living with advanced breast cancer

Older patients can benefit from combining CDK4/6 inhibitors with endocrine therapy, but they may also face a higher risk of side effects and treatment discontinuation.

The IMPORTANT project is generating real-world evidence through a pragmatic, decentralised clinical study, exploring lower initial dosing strategies and focusing on what matters most for patients: tolerability, prognosis and quality of life.

Our research supports shared decision-making between patients and healthcare professionals, helping to ensure treatments are both effective and manageable for older people living with advanced breast cancer.

📢 Follow the IMPORTANT project to stay updated on our research, videos and insights.



Funded by the European Union (Grant Agreement No. 101104589). Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

17/02/2026

IMPORTANTProject at the EUnetCCC – European Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres Symposium on Cancer Treatment De-escalation

We are pleased to announce that the IMPORTANT Project will participate in the two-day on-site symposium:

'Innovating Cancer Care Through De-escalation Studies'
📅 5–6 March 2026
📍 Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), Amsterdam

Hosted by the EU-funded Joint Action EUnetCCC, in collaboration with the European Academy of Cancer Sciences, this symposium will gather up to 200 leading experts — including clinicians, researchers, bioinformaticians, healthcare professionals, patient representatives, policymakers and industry stakeholders.
The focus: advancing high-quality cancer treatment de-escalation studies across Europe.

Cancer treatment de-escalation aims to safely reduce treatment intensity while maintaining optimal patient outcomes. As a Horizon Europe-funded clinical trial, the IMPORTANT study contributes directly to this effort by investigating personalised dose optimisation strategies for older patients with advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer.

By contributing to this important dialogue, we aim to help shape more patient-centred, evidence-based, and sustainable cancer care across Europe.

We look forward to engaging discussions and collaborative exchange in Amsterdam.

11/02/2026

🎯 Optimising Treatment for Older Patients with Breast Cancer

🔗 Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4M20d68Lkw

Older patients with metastatic breast cancer remain underrepresented in clinical trials — despite representing a significant and growing population.

The IMPORTANT EU Project, funded under the EU Cancer Mission, is addressing this critical gap.

Coordinated by Örebro University and led scientifically by Professor Antonis Valachis, IMPORTANT aims to optimise the dosing of CDK4/6 inhibitors through a pragmatic randomised controlled trial integrating geriatric assessment–based dosing strategies.

By moving beyond the “one-size-fits-all” approach, the project seeks to ensure treatments are both effective and better tolerated for older patients.

🔬 The project will:
• Conduct a multinational clinical trial across six European countries
• Generate high-level evidence on geriatric assessment–guided dosing
• Improve quality of life while maintaining treatment efficacy

🌍 Older patients deserve evidence-based treatments tailored to their specific needs. IMPORTANT contributes to more inclusive, personalised and sustainable cancer care across Europe.

IMPORTANT evaluates personalised dosing strategies for CDK4/6 inhibitors in older patients with metastatic breast cancer using geriatric assessment. The proj...