First European Standard Compliant Biobank to be Established in Armenia

The Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU) will become a leader in cancer genetic research in Armenia, as announced by the rector of the university, Armen Muradyan, on his Facebook page. "For the first time in Armenia, a biobank will be created in compliance with European standards." It is worth noting that in 2020, YSMU won the EU’s HORIZON-2020 Twinning project titled "Establishing a Research Infrastructure for Cancer Research in Armenia" (Armenian Research Infrastructure on Cancer Research - ARICE). This project addresses one of the most urgent healthcare issues - cancer research. The project is set to last 36 months.

On February 12, the online kick-off scientific conference officially launched the project. During the opening remarks, I expressed my particular honor to participate in the launch of the new EU project. With the support of our team and partners in the EU ARICE project, we were able to ensure continuity in Armenian medical research. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus and the war, we could not host our partners in our beautiful homeland, but we know this is temporary and we will certainly be able to welcome top specialists in Armenia in the future.

As you know, we Armenians suffer greatly from cancer, as confirmed by statistics. We at Yerevan State Medical University are hopeful that this project will somehow alleviate or at least reduce cancer's impact in our lives. We hope this project will become the first significant infrastructure within a long-term research initiative investigating the ominous interaction between cancer and its environment, particularly within Armenia. This is the objective of the ARICE European research project that launched today.

We are very pleased to have prominent and professional partners on this research journey, including Charles University in Prague, Austria's Medical University of Graz, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, who will stand with us. Together, we are strong and can achieve much.

The scientific coordinator of the consortium is Professor Tamara Sargsyan, a distinguished specialist in medical genetics, who has celebrated many successes through her dedication and scientific thinking, ensuring that ARICE is in good hands. YSMU, as a coordinator, will implement the program with the participation of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, in partnership with the Medical University of Graz and Charles University, expanding its capabilities at institutional, national, and regional levels.

During the online meeting, representatives from the European Commission, including medical sciences PhD Wilko Grafmans, project consultant, and senior expert Stefan Weiers, delivered opening remarks. Leading experts from partner universities also spoke, including Professor Karine Sargsyan, Director of the International Biobank and Education at the Medical University of Graz, Zisis Kozlakiidis, head of the Laboratory Services and Biobank group at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and Judith Kinkorova, head of International Research at Charles University. These individuals are recognized European experts in cancer research and will significantly contribute to the development of the field in Armenia.

According to Tamara Sargsyan, head of the Department of Medical Genetics and Director of the Center for Medical Genetics and Primary Health Care, the aim of the program is to enhance the research infrastructure's capabilities for cancer research in Armenia, contributing to digital and molecular diagnostics, the integration of personalized and genomic medicine into clinical practice, and the establishment of a modern biobank.

As a result of this project, YSMU will become a leader in cancer genetic research in Armenia. The ARICE project has high scientific significance and relevance. It is promising for the university; in collaboration with European professional experts, an interdisciplinary international group focusing on cancer research, biobanking, and biomarkers has already been formed.

The implementation of the project can have significant scientific and practical importance. Various aspects related to cancer, such as early diagnosis and personalized treatment, need to be investigated under the project. The ARICE project is particularly timely for Armenia, as cancer is primarily diagnosed late in our country,” Sargsyan emphasized, highlighting that the primary and main goal of the project is to create a biobank in Armenia.

According to the professor, the project holds global significance, as the International Agency for Research on Cancer is highly interested in both the establishment of the biobank in our country and our data. The project is unique in that the WHO does not participate in every project. Furthermore, the EU HORIZON-2020 program rarely allows large organizations to take part in projects in a partner status.

The cancer research infrastructure was chosen as the focal point of the ARICE project, as Armenia has a very high rate of cancer incidence and mortality, and rare malignant diseases are also prevalent. Around 60% of patients are diagnosed with cancer in stages 3-4, when treatment is often ineffective.

"The WHO will also help to disseminate the unique characteristics we discover, allowing other countries in the world to benefit from our scientific achievements," expressed Tamara Sargsyan. The Department of Medical Genetics, according to her, is prepared to carry out such a project. "The significant positive experience of effective collaboration with EU representatives has also been taken into account in the program," added the professor.

David Babikyan, head of the Laboratory of Cancer Genetics and associate professor, noted that the YSMU Department of Medical Genetics is equipped with the most modern technologies for genomic research. "We conduct genetic diagnostics for cancer and pharmacogenetics here, thus providing personalized diagnoses and treatments," he added.