Developing an International Biobank for Research in Palliative Care

From Bedside to Bench: Unlocking insights through sample collection in palliative medicine

Dr Seamus Coyle, Consultant in Palliative Medicine

Translational research in palliative medicine remains limited, particularly for cancer patients requiring supportive care, despite its proven impact in other areas of oncology where it has advanced our understanding of disease mechanisms, biomarkers, and treatments. There is a critical opportunity to extend this approach to the palliative phase, where it could enhance our understanding of the dying process, improve early symptom detection, and open the door to innovative treatment options. This talk will highlight the importance of building a robust, well-annotated biobank of patient samples as a foundational step for future translational research in this field. Additionally, we will explore the practical aspects of sample collection and logistics, and discuss the potential establishment of a European network to support and accelerate translational research in palliative care.

Driving innovation in palliative care…