The DISARM Project
DISARM is a Horizon EU co-funded initiative aiming to advance ovarian cancer risk assessment and early detection, helping healthcare systems offer women better prevention and treatment options. DISARM tackles two key gaps: limited access to personalised, accurate risk assessment, and the absence of reliable, accessible tools for early ovarian cancer detection.
The 48-month DISARM brings together 28 leading partners from 12 countries, including clinical and technology research centres, universities, SMEs, patient organisations, and health authorities. This multidisciplinary collaboration ensures that scientific excellence, clinical validation, and societal impact go hand in hand — from laboratory innovation to real-world healthcare.
Project Background
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of female cancers, with survival rates remaining low worldwide and incidence on the rise. The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition has identified ovarian cancer as a global health priority, calling attention to regional inequalities in access to prevention and care.
Despite advances in research, reliable early detection tools remain limited, and advanced multifactorial risk assessment models are currently not used in clinical practices. Because of these shortcomings, many cases of ovarian cancer are therefore diagnosed at a late stage — earning ovarian cancer the name “silent killer.” These challenges highlight the urgent need for improved risk assessment, earlier detection, and greater investment in ovarian cancer research.
Scientific Background
Around 20% of ovarian cancer cases are linked to inherited genetic factors, most commonly pathogenic variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2, which can carry up to a 46% lifetime risk. While germline genetic testing has enhanced prevention and treatment strategies, there remains a strong need for more personalised risk assessments to guide interventions.
Current screening methods, such as transvaginal ultrasound and CA-125 biomarker testing, have limited sensitivity and specificity. For women with a genetic predisposition, ongoing monitoring and preventive surgeries can significantly impact quality of life, creating physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Addressing these gaps through innovative tools and data-driven approaches is essential to transform ovarian cancer management.
Contact the project
For media queries, contact:
Ben Moore
Senior EU Project Manager, Carr Communications
For project related queries, contact:
Dr Angelos Amditis
Research and Development Director, i-SENSE Group, ICCS
Dr. Dimitra Dionysiou
Health Technologies Division Leader, i-SENSE Group, ICCS
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