A recent publication from the REMEDi4ALL consortium in Cancer Management and Research outlines key outcomes and recommendations from a multi-stakeholder meeting (MSM) on pancreatic cancer held as part of the REMEDi4ALL project. We caught up with corresponding author and Drug Repurposing Projects Senior Manager at EURORDIS Claudia Fuchs to discuss motivations for the MSM as well as key insights to inform development of treatments for pancreatic cancer patients.
What was the motivation for hosting a MSM?
Multi-Stakeholder Meetings (MSMs) are crucial for bringing together diverse groups to address complex challenges, offering a platform for open dialogue, problem-solving, and collective decision-making across sectors. This collaborative approach is particularly important when tackling urgent issues, such as those related to pancreatic cancer (PC), where innovative therapeutic solutions are desperately needed. Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to treat, and drug repurposing (DR) offers a promising opportunity to identify existing medications that could provide new, effective therapeutic options. Our first REMEDi4ALL MSM, focused on one of our current demonstrator projects, aimed to unite stakeholders from multiple sectors to accelerate progress in drug repurposing and create impactful solutions for patients in need.
What role did REMEDi4ALL play in the development of the MSM?
REMEDi4ALL played a central role in organising and facilitating the MSM as part of its broader mission to address unmet medical needs and advance drug repurposing efforts. Coordinated by the REMEDi4ALL consortium partners EURORDIS-Rare Disease Europe and Beacon for Rare Diseases, the MSM brought together a diverse range of participants, including researchers, clinicians, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory bodies, and patient advocacy groups and we ensured that the meeting provided a structured platform for meaningful dialogue, allowing participants to discuss the potential of drug repurposing for tackling diseases like pancreatic cancer.
What did discussions at the MSM reveal?
Discussions at the MSM revealed several important insights related to drug repurposing (DR), finding new therapeutic uses for existing medicines, and its potential to address unmet medical needs, particularly in the context of challenging diseases like pancreatic cancer. Some key takeaways included:
Potential of drug repurposing: There was broad agreement that drug repurposing provides the ability to quickly identify effective treatments, potentially reducing the time and cost associated with new drug development. drug repurposing could expedite the development of more effective and less toxic treatments for pancreatic cancer.
Challenges in drug repurposing implementation: Participants highlighted obstacles such as regulatory hurdles, lack of systematic processes for identifying and testing repurposed drugs, and limited collaboration across sectors. Bridging silos between academia, industry, healthcare, and regulatory bodies is essential to drive successful DR efforts and provide more impactful solutions for patients. In addition, the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and more sustainable funding mechanisms to support DR initiatives was emphasised.
Patient-centric approaches: Ensuring that DR efforts are aligned with patient needs was a key takeaway. Involving patients and patient advocacy groups early in the process is essential to guide research priorities and ensure repurposed treatments are both effective and accessible.
What impact could these findings have on pancreatic cancer research and patient experience of pancreatic cancer?
These findings serve as a crucial starting point for broader discussions on the potential of DR and its role in addressing unmet medical needs. By highlighting both the opportunities and challenges in DR, the MSM has inspired further collaboration among stakeholders, fostering innovation and new strategies for accelerating treatment development. The insights gained align with REMEDi4ALL’s wider mission to create a sustainable framework for DR, encouraging ongoing dialogue, cross-sector partnerships, and patient-centred approaches to ensure repurposed treatments reach those who need them most.
What was your personal highlight of the day/meeting?
One of the most impactful moments of the MSM was definitely the inclusion of patient stories, particularly the case of a Stage IV pancreatic cancer patient who experienced positive outcomes using a combination of a Vitamin D analog, an antimalarial drug, and chemotherapy. This real-world testimony underscored the potential of DR and emphasised the importance of patient involvement in shaping treatment strategies. Additionally, the collaborative spirit of the meeting, bringing together diverse experts to tackle a common challenge, stood out as a crucial step toward advancing DR efforts in pancreatic cancer.
If you are interested in finding out more about the REMEDi4ALL multistakeholder perspective on pancreatic cancer as a result of the MSM meeting, read the full article in Cancer Management and Research and watch the highlights video here:
Learn more about the patient-centred work that REMEDi4ALL does on our website.
