IARC and the European Commission’s JRC launch call for experts on H. pylori screen-and-treat strategies for the primary prevention of gastric cancer

As part of the European Commission (EC) Initiative on Gastric Cancer (EC-GaC), led by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the EC, an open call has been launched for experts to evaluate evidence and provide input to guidelines for the primary prevention of gastric cancer, focusing on Helicobacter pylori screen-and-treat strategies and quality assurance (QA) schemes.

The EC-GaC, coordinated by the IARC Gastric Cancer Prevention Team, will develop the European clinical practice guidelines, first focusing on H. pylori screen-and-treat strategies for the primary prevention of gastric cancer and later expanding the scope to include screening and diagnosis, and a European QA scheme covering the entire gastric cancer care pathway. This set of guidelines will focus on H. pylori screen-and-treat strategies, and the experts will conduct the preparatory work needed for the future QA manual.

In collaboration with the JRC, IARC will draw on its experience in developing guidelines and its existing networks in the area of cancer screening to implement this initiative, which is part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. This approach promotes a unified front in tackling gastric cancer at the European Union level and is modelled on the EC initiatives on breast cancer (ECIBC), colorectal cancer (ECICC), and cervical cancer (EC-CvC).

The aim of the call, launched via the JRC website, is to select a diverse pool of clinical, scientific, and technical experts, as well as patients and caregivers, to evaluate evidence, build consensus, and provide input. A working group, and its chair and co-chair, will be selected from this pool of experts to support the development of the guidelines and the preparatory work for the QA scheme.

All clinical, scientific, and technical experts in areas related to the initiative, as well as patients and/or caregivers, are invited to apply using the online application form.

Candidates who wish to be considered for the first round of applications are advised to apply by 31 October 2025. However, the applications will remain open for candidates who may wish to be considered for future rounds of evaluation.

Read the “Call for expression of interest for experts to support the European Commission Initiative on Gastric Cancer (EC-GaC)”

Read further details of the open call on the JRC website

Read more about the IARC Gastric Cancer Prevention Team