IMPACT

Project description

About IMPACT

IMPACT (Improving the outcome of peritoneal and pleural metastases using aerosolised chemotherapy) is a European research project aiming to improve the treatment and outcomes for people affected by peritoneal metastases and malignant pleural effusions.

Peritoneal metastases and malignant pleural effusion are serious complications of advanced cancer. They can cause symptoms, affect daily activities and quality of life, and make treatment more challenging. Despite advances in cancer care, effective treatment options for these conditions remain limited, highlighting the need for new approaches that can improve disease control and patients’ quality of life.

IMPACT brings together clinical and academic research institutions, patient organisations, industry partners and other stakeholders from across Europe to investigate innovative approaches for the treatment of peritoneal and pleural disease.

The project focuses on aerosolised chemotherapy, an approach that delivers chemotherapy as a fine mist directly into the body cavity affected by cancer. Two complementary treatment approaches are being investigated:

• PIPAC (Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy), which delivers aerosolised chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity to treat peritoneal metastases
• PITAC (Pressurized Intrathoracic Aerosol Chemotherapy), which delivers aerosolised chemotherapy into the pleural cavity and is being investigated as an innovative approach for people with malignant pleural effusion

Beyond clinical research, IMPACT takes a multidisciplinary approach that also considers patients’ experiences and perspectives, clinical practice, health technology assessment, implementation, innovation, communication and dissemination.

By bringing together expertise from different disciplines and countries, the project aims to generate robust evidence and support the development of more effective, patient-centred and sustainable approaches to the management of peritoneal metastases and malignant pleural effusion.

Clinical studies

IMPACT includes clinical research investigating innovative aerosolised chemotherapy approaches for people affected by peritoneal metastases and malignant pleural effusion.

• IMPACT-CRC investigates PIPAC in people with colorectal cancer and peritoneal metastases
• IMPACT-GC investigates PIPAC in people with gastric cancer and peritoneal metastases
• EPICTRA investigates PITAC as an approach for people with malignant pleural effusion

Together, these studies will contribute to the evidence needed to understand the potential benefits, challenges and patient experience associated with these treatment approaches.

The Role of DiCE

Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE) is a patient-focused partner in the IMPACT project, helping to ensure that the experiences, needs and priorities of people affected by cancer are considered throughout the project.

Through its network of nearly 40 national digestive cancer patient organisations across Europe, DiCE contributes to patient engagement and involvement, helping bring the patient perspective into the project and connect IMPACT with the wider digestive cancer community.

As part of IMPACT consortium, DiCE also helps capture patients’ experiences of participating in the clinical trials, including their views on information and communication, involvement in decision-making, practical and emotional burden, treatment experiences and the value of participating in research.

DiCE also supports the development of dissemination and accessible and patient-friendly information about the project and its research, making information about innovative treatments and clinical research easier to understand for patients, caregiver, patient organisations and the wider public.

Through these activities, DiCE helps ensure that what matters to patients is considered alongside clinical outcomes, supporting a more patient-centred approach to research and treatment development.

News and events

This section will provide updates from the IMPACT project, including:

• Project milestones and developments
• Clinical study updates
• Patient and stakeholder engagement activities
• Scientific meetings and conferences
• Project events and workshops
• Publications and other project outputs

Publications

Scientific publications and project-related outputs will be listed here as they become available.