Ireland has taken another major step in the global fight against cancer by launching Phase 2 of Precision Oncology Ireland (POI), the largest and most ambitious cancer research initiative to date.
The new phase, announced by James Lawless, Minister for Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science, will see €28 million invested in advances in personalized cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Mr. Lawless commented on this initiative as follows: “Breakthroughs in cancer research are most likely to be achieved when clinicians, scientists, industry leaders, patients, charities and other stakeholders come together with a common purpose.
“The first phase of POI proves that strong, sustained collaboration can unlock innovation and accelerate transformative solutions.
“I congratulate the team on their progress so far and wish them every success as they embark on the next phase of their funded research.”
A new era of personalized cancer treatment
Co-ordinated by the Irish Center for Systems Biology at University College Dublin (UCD) and led by Professor Walter Colci, POI is transforming the way cancer is researched and treated in Ireland.
The program’s core mission is to ensure that every patient receives the most effective treatment based on their unique genetic and molecular profile, a fundamental principle of precision medicine.
Jointly funded by Research Ireland, industry partners and the not-for-profit sector, POI is a pioneering example of collaboration between academia, healthcare and the private sector.
This collaborative funding model allows us to translate cutting-edge research into tangible patient benefits faster.
“Research is the driving force behind new medicines, and POI-2 is all about connecting top-notch cancer research to clinical translation,” said Colci.
“This includes the development of advanced computer simulations of the disease so that we can design the best diagnostic and treatment approaches for individual patients.”
Build on a groundbreaking foundation
The first phase of POI set the standard for multidisciplinary cancer research collaboration in Ireland.
It brought together scientists, clinicians, charities and patient organizations in a single, coordinated effort to understand cancer at the molecular level.
This effort has led to major advances in cancer biology, new treatment strategies, and the creation of a significant national research infrastructure.
Phase 2 will build on these successes and focus on increasing clinical engagement, training of emerging researchers, and patient involvement in shaping cancer research priorities.
The new phase will also foster closer integration between hospitals, universities, and biotech startups, accelerating discovery from the lab to the clinic.
Patients are at the center of research
Central to POI’s vision is patient participation in driving meaningful change. Among them is Siobhan Gaynor, a researcher and patient advocate living with advanced breast cancer.
Through her work with Cancer Trials Ireland, Siobhan has helped amplify the voices of people with stage IV cancer and ensure their needs remain integral to the cancer research agenda, from improving quality of life to improving data collection.
She explained: “Thanks to science and research, we now live longer lives, but most stage IV cancers are incurable.
“Challenges have come to focus not only on quality of life needs, but also on the need to collect more real-world data to better inform service delivery and, hopefully, improve care.
“Additionally, we want to further educate the public and healthcare providers about the realities of living with an advanced cancer diagnosis.”
Shaping the future of cancer research in Ireland
With Phase 2 currently underway, POI aims to put Ireland at the forefront of precision oncology internationally.
By combining innovation, collaboration, and compassion, this next chapter in cancer research promises not only new discoveries, but also a future where every patient’s treatment is as individual as their diagnosis.
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