On 3 February 2021, the European Commission presented Europe's Beating Cancer plan. The plan is a key European Union public health initiative and a cornerstone of the European health union process launched in November 2020.

Europe's Beating Cancer plan sets out actions to support, coordinate or supplement Member States' efforts at every stage of the disease: from prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, to an improved quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. Cross-cutting themes include research and innovation, digital and personalised medicine, and action to reduce cancer inequalities across the EU.

EAACI and EFA produced a joint statement in support of the European Parliament Interest Group on Allergy and Asthma’s activities. The statement was included in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan’s stakeholder feedback.

EAACI and EFA support the plan's 'health in all policies' approach with an emphasis on tackling the environmental determinants of cancer. The statement lays out the multiple correlations existing between cancer on the one hand, and allergy and asthma on the other; discusses the need for improved access to healthcare, including timely diagnosis, in a wide range of non-communicable diseases in addition to cancer; and highlights the benefits of patients' and healthcare professionals' participation in health decision-making processes.

EAACI continues to be deeply involved with research within this cross-sectional topic, with the newly formed AllergoOncology Working Group investigating the unique immunologic interface between IgE immune responses and oncology. One key area of interest stems from observations that high IgE levels in atopic individuals are associated with lower prevalence of some tumour types. Also, whilst immune tolerance is not desired in cancer, IgE-mediated immune surveillance targeted to cancer cells, might be. The world´s first clinical trial of a recombinant anti-cancer IgE ongoing in the UK is pioneered by members of the AllergoOncology group. 

Ioana Agache, EAACI Past President