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From an international perspective, paediatric oncology research in
Europe is in good standing. Between 2005 and 2014, there were
32,785 academic papers about paediatric oncology, representing 4.6%
of all oncology papers and 7.1% of all paediatric papers. 22% of those
articles came from Europe and 32% from the US [19].
In 2008, funding for paediatric oncology research was estimated, using previously validated
econometric analysis of research activity [20], to be 1,229 USD millions, with more than 50%
from public funding, including international funding such as European framework funding and
just under 20% from the pharmaceutical industry [21]. In 2013, this has been estimated to have
dropped to 900 USD millions, a decline over 25% over five years.
Research output is growing, particularly in clinical research, but availability of short-term fund-
ing is getting worse despite more European programmes. In addition, most of the public policy
discourse has been focused on an ageing European society and the needs of children with can-
cer are not high on the political radar, despite the fact that cancer is the leading cause of death
by disease in the young population. Globally, childhood cancer is being heavily marginalised.
The SIOPE objectives are:
g
To improve public, political and policy visibility of childhood cancer research;
g
To show the existing linkage between research activity and better outcomes for children
with cancer in Europe;
g
To develop strategies in order to broaden research engagement;
g
To address both pan-European research funding and national funding streams, as well as
funding from charities.
Childhood cancer from
a societal perspective
Figure 5: Pie chart of national contributions to paediatric oncology research,
2005-14; fractional counts. European countries coloured blue with shading; North
American countries red with shading; Asian countries yellow with shading.
Credit: Institute of Cancer Policy, London, UK
THE SIOPE STRATEGIC PLAN
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Credit Institut Gustave Roussy, France