Combating AMR in Oncology: A Strategic Imperative for EU Health Policy – White Paper
This White Paper addresses antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a critical threat to cancer treatment and patient safety, with Advisory Board input from Prof. Matteo Bassetti, Dr. Fatima Cardoso, Prof. Oliver Cornely, and Prof. Nikolaos Sipsas. The document explains how AMR affects all cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, stem cell transplantation, advanced therapies) which weaken immune systems and increase infection risk. Key evidence presented: infections and sepsis contribute approximately 50% of cancer patient deaths (rarely recorded as official cause of death), cancer patients are 3 times more likely to die from infections/sepsis versus non-cancer patients, 1 in 3 patients with resistant infections die within the first month (usually from sepsis), 46% of 100 surveyed UK oncologists worry chemotherapy will become unviable due to AMR, and AMR is projected to cause 10 million additional deaths annually by 2050 (equal to 2020 global cancer deaths). The White Paper reviews EU policy framework including the 2017 EU One Health Action Plan, 2023 Council Recommendation, 2024 UN Political Declaration linking AMR and cancer, Critical Medicines Act, Biotech Act, and ECDC report showing 60%+ increase in bloodstream infections from carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. CPE Call to Action recommendations target policymakers (embed AMR in cancer plans with measurable targets, advance pan-European surveillance systems, invest in infection prevention including vaccination, support antimicrobial R&D through push/pull incentives with delinkage pricing models, establish subscription models and advanced purchase agreements, introduce EU-wide harmonised frameworks, support equitable access to existing antibiotics, promote cross-disease collaboration), healthcare professionals (strengthen antimicrobial stewardship, develop cancer-specific AMR guidance, expand rapid diagnostics, implement robust infection control, engage patients in shared decision-making), and patients/organisations (increase awareness and education, empower with accessible information, promote meaningful involvement in guidelines/policy/research, strengthen collaboration across disease areas).