Imperial forms part of the EU's DISARM project to tackle ovarian cancer

Researchers from Imperial are part of a major new EU-funded initiative to improve risk assessment and early detection of ovarian cancer.

"Together with our European colleagues, we look forward to advancing novel approaches for risk assessment and early detection, with the ultimate aim of improving outcomes for women at risk of this challenging disease." Professor Christina Fotopoulou Chair in Gynaecological Cancer Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer

Often referred to as a "silent killer", ovarian cancer is the most lethal of female cancers. Issues of late detection and poor survival rates continue to persevere, leading to increasing levels of incidence and mortality.

Data from the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition has stressed that ovarian cancer must be recognised as a global health issue, one that should be prioritised at a local, national, and international level and across all socio-economic backgrounds.

To address this challenge, the European Union’s European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA), has launched DISARM, a Horizon Europe Innovation Action project that brings together 28 partners from 12 countries, including the UK and Canada. The project officially launched on 1 September 2025 and will run for four years with €13.2 million in funding under the EU Mission on Cancer.

Four-pillar approach

DISARM aims to close critical gaps in hereditary ovarian cancer management by advancing both risk assessment and early detection. The project is structured around four pillars:

• Pillar A: Ovarian cancer risk assessment in routine healthcare, investigating multifactorial risk assessment versus standard practices in four EU Member States (Lithuania, Portugal, Czech Republic, Greece).
• Pillar B: Early detection of ovarian cancer through a set of highly accurate, easy-to-use, and affordable technologies to be upscaled and validated in five countries (UK, Lithuania, Portugal, Czech Republic, Greece).
• Pillar C: Intelligent digital assets to optimally support and enhance risk assessment (Pillar A) and early detection (Pillar B), and;
• Pillar D: Activities to ensure the adoption and uptake of the project’s solutions into routine healthcare practice.

By combining proven technologies with emerging innovations, DISARM aims to provide healthcare systems with the evidence and pathways to implement more effective approaches to ovarian cancer care.

Imperial’s role

Imperial College London is a core partner in the consortium. The project is led at Imperial by Professor Christina Fotopoulou, Principal Investigator, with Dr Paula Cunnea, Dr Jonathan Krell and Professor Iain McNeish as co-investigators, all based in the Department of Surgery and Cancer.

Speaking about Imperial’s involvement, Professor Fotopoulou said: "We, in the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial, are very excited to be part of this multinational consortium of researchers dedicated to the fight against ovarian cancer.

"Together with our European colleagues, we look forward to advancing novel approaches for risk assessment and early detection, with the ultimate aim of improving outcomes for women at risk of this challenging disease."

International collaboration

DISARM is coordinated by the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) in Greece.

Project Coordinator Dr Angelos Amditis said: "DISARM aspires to lay the groundwork for concrete advancements in hereditary ovarian cancer management. Harnessing world-class expertise in the fight against cancer, the project envisions a future where early detection of ovarian cancer becomes standard."

With its broad geographic reach and diverse expertise, the project will play a key role in expanding access to genetic testing, raising awareness, and strengthening prevention efforts across Europe and beyond.

This article is based on a DISARM press release.