On 4 March 2026, CPE held the high-level event “Safeguarding Cancer Care in Europe: Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) to Protect Vulnerable Patients” at the European Parliament in Brussels. Co-hosted by MEPs Kristian Vigenin (S&D, Bulgaria), Ondřej Dostál (NI, Czechia), Nikos Papandreou (S&D, Greece), the event marked the official launch of CPE’s White Paper “Combating AMR in Oncology: A Strategic Imperative for EU Health Policy”.
AMR is one of today’s major global health threats and endangers access to safe care for all patients. It has particularly serious consequences for cancer patients and other heavily immunocompromised individuals. It is therefore essential not only to safeguard access to life-saving antimicrobial treatments, but also to support antimicrobial R&D and prevent widening inequalities in treatment safety and outcomes across Member States.
Clinical Expertise and Lived Experience
The event was opened by MEPs Kristian Vigenin (S&D, Bulgaria), Ondřej Dostál (NI, Czechia), Nikos Papandreou (S&D, Greece) followed by expert contributions setting the clinical and policy context. Francisco Lozano, CPE Chair of the Board, outlined why AMR must be recognised as a structural threat to oncology care, while Prof. Matteo Bassetti (University of Genoa), who sent a video message, provided expert insight into the evolving AMR landscape and its implications for cancer patients.
The core of the event centred on the presentation of CPE’s White Paper, delivered by our CEO, Antonella Cardone. Across Europe, rising rates of resistant infections are already affecting cancer care.
The evidence is clear:
- Infections and sepsis play a primary or contributing role in around 50% of cancer patient deaths.
- Cancer patients are three times more likely to die from infections and sepsis than individuals without cancer.
- Around one-third of patients who test positive for an AMR pathogen die within the first month, most often due to sepsis.
Coordinated action among policymakers, healthcare professionals, patients and patient organisations is needed to prevent AMR from undermining cancer treatment and diagnosis and placing modern oncology at risk.
A panel discussion moderated by our CEO Antonella Cardone, brought together members of the CPE AMR Advisory Board and patient representatives, including Prof. Djillali Annane (Université Paris-Saclay; ICU, AP-HP; European Sepsis Alliance), Vanessa Carter (Patient with Lived Experience of AMR; The AMR Narrative), Dr. Nveed Chaudhary (Jibraan Chaudhary Sepsis Research Foundation), and Prof. Oliver Cornely (University of Cologne). The discussion explored the need for antimicrobial innovation, equitable access to both new and existing treatments, and the broader psychological and systemic impact of resistant infections on people with cancer. Patient testimonies underscored how AMR contributes to treatment delays, prolonged hospitalisations, heightened anxiety, and lasting health complications.
From Evidence to Action
CPE emphasised the urgency to act now as AMR poses a growing threat to the safety and effectiveness of cancer treatment. By strengthening surveillance, promoting responsible antimicrobial use, driving innovation and meaningfully involving patients, Europe can protect vulnerable populations and safeguard the future of cancer care. CPE stressed that without strong AMR stewardship, decades of progress risk being reversed.
Read the event report here.
