Adaptive and Acquired Resistance in Gastrointestinal Cancers – Contemporary and Emerging Resolutions

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers—comprising oesophageal, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, and liver cancers—represent a group of diseases with high incidence and mortality rates. Their effective management is often hindered by the emergence of chemoresistance. Although various intrinsic and extrinsic factors are thought to contribute to this phenomenon, the precise mechanisms underlying the adaptive changes that drive chemoresistance in GI cancers remain poorly understood.

The proposed Action, AdResCanCER, will provide, for the first time, a collaborative platform uniting researchers, early-career investigators, clinicians, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) active in basic and clinical oncology, molecular biology, drug discovery and development, and computer science. This multidisciplinary network aims to advance research excellence in understanding and overcoming chemoresistance in GI cancers, foster the generation of advanced knowledge, facilitate technology transfer, and promote high-quality training opportunities for young researchers. Additionally, the Action seeks to accelerate the development of novel, clinically relevant therapeutic strategies and monitoring tools for recurrent GI cancers.

The main objectives of AdResCanCER are to:

1. Establish a platform that brings together scientists from diverse disciplines, clinicians, regulatory bodies, and society.

2. Optimise and standardise the generation and utilisation of research data, clinical data, and various -omics analytical workflows.

3. Support the rational design, development, and evaluation of novel medicines and compounds targeting resistance phenotypes.

4. Actively engage with regulatory authorities, policymakers, and patient organisations to ensure the timely and appropriate integration of advances into GI cancer management.