FROM POPULATIONS TO CELLS AND BACK: Carcinogen Unmasking and Effect characterization in early-onsetcore
CUE-CAN · Horizon Europe grant · 2026-06-01–2031-05-31
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call HORIZON-MISS-2025-02 · scheme HORIZON-RIA · topic HORIZON-MISS-2025-02-CANCER-02. CORDIS record →
Objective
CUE-CAN unites 14 partners from 8 European countries and Canada to reduce childhood and young adolescent cancers by preventing and detecting carcinogenic environmental exposures. Focusing on prenatal development and early childhood, the project will elucidate how external agents initiate or promote carcinogenesis and generate evidence for actionable prevention. CUE-CAN integrates epidemiological and clinical data from >2.5 million children and >10 million health records across nine cohorts, enriched with tumour molecular profiles, internal exposome measurements, geospatial exposure models and AI-driven hazard prediction. At least 25 modifiable exposures will be prioritised, with ≥10 investigated mechanistically in human organoid and stem cell systems representing haematopoietic, neural and intestinal tissues. CRISPR-based exposure–gene interaction screens and causal inference methods will pinpoint critical developmental windows and pathways. The project will deliver interoperable, predictive exposure-risk models validated across multiple datasets and ≥10 exposure–cancer risk profiles with characteristic molecular signatures and biomarkers suitable for surveillance and targeted guidance. CUE-CAN will co-create prevention outputs with stakeholders, including ≥5 policy recommendations, technical guidance, and stakeholder workshops to inform public health strategies and EU-level regulation. To secure long-term impact, CUE-CAN will implement a harmonised, FAIR-compliant data architecture linking cohort, registry and molecular data with ≥3 EU platforms (e.g. UNCAN.eu, EHDS, PARC), ensuring reusability and scalability. The resulting framework will advance understanding of environmentally driven childhood cancer, equip regulators and health systems with policy-ready evidence and tools, and accelerate translation from discovery to prevention, contributing to a healthier future for Europe’s next generations.This action is part of the Cancer Mission cluster of projects on “Understanding – environmental exposure in CAYA.
Beneficiaries (14)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRINSES MAXIMA CENTRUM VOOR KINDERONCOLOGIE BV | NL | coordinator | €1,816,352 | |
| UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT | NL | participant | €1,268,131 | |
| FOLKEHELSEINSTITUTTET | NO | participant | €752,950 | |
| FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE RECERCA BIOMEDICA (IRB BARCELONA) | ES | participant | €723,386 | |
| LUNDS UNIVERSITET | SE | participant | €697,371 | |
| EUROPEAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION | NL | participant | €454,595 | Yes |
| UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK | CA | participant | €340,206 | |
| OULUN YLIOPISTO | FI | participant | €332,490 | |
| KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET | DK | participant | €144,680 | |
| KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET | SE | participant | €135,000 | |
| ETHNIKO KAI KAPODISTRIAKO PANEPISTIMIO ATHINON | EL | participant | €130,000 | |
| AZIENDA SANITARIA LOCALE ROMA 1 | IT | participant | €97,225 | |
| STICHTING ONCODE INSTITUTE | NL | participant | €76,874 | |
| VERENIGING KINDERKANKER NEDERLAND | NL | participant | €30,425 |
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