The METAGEN (ROHU00049) project, implemented under the Interreg VI-A Romania–Hungary Programme 2021–2027, brings together leading medical and research institutions to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and strengthen the resilience and equity of healthcare systems in the border region.

Led by the “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timișoara (UMFVBT), with the University of Szeged (SZTE) and ONCOHELP Association as partners, the project aims to introduce next-generation diagnostic technologies that will enable faster detection of pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes, while also building healthcare capacity through professional training and cross-border collaboration.

The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), with a total budget of €2,266,696.33, including €1,813,357.05 (80%) EU co-financing, and runs for 30 months.

 

ONCOHELP’s Motivation and Contribution

ONCOHELP’s participation in METAGEN is driven by its core mission: to improve patient care and outcomes through innovation, research, and collaboration. As an NGO specialized in oncology care, ONCOHELP understands the heightened vulnerability of cancer patients to infections due to weakened immune systems and frequent medical interventions. Addressing antimicrobial resistance is therefore essential to safeguarding the health and recovery of oncology patients.

By joining METAGEN, ONCOHELP aims to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure, enhance diagnostic precision, and contribute directly to improving treatment outcomes for its beneficiaries — the oncologic patients under its care.

 

Expertise and Thematic Competence

ONCOHELP’s long-standing experience in oncology provides unique insight into patient profiles and the clinical contexts most susceptible to antimicrobial resistance. The organization’s expertise in handling, storing, and tracking biological samples ensures that all specimens used in the project are collected and managed under the highest ethical and scientific standards.

ONCOHELP has well-established protocols for sample integrity, traceability, and data protection, guaranteeing compliance with all ethical regulations related to patient confidentiality. Moreover, its track record of collaboration with universities, hospitals, and research institutions makes ONCOHELP a reliable and effective partner in interdisciplinary medical research.

 

Role and Main Activities in METAGEN

Within the METAGEN consortium, ONCOHELP acts as the primary source of clinical samples, providing access to a diverse and representative collection from oncology patients. Its activities include:

• Sample Collection and Cataloguing: ONCOHELP is responsible for collecting and cataloguing patient samples, including detailed clinical and paraclinical information relevant to antimicrobial resistance research.
• Sample Tracking and Quality Assurance: A dedicated tracking system will monitor the location, status, and storage conditions of each sample in real time, ensuring complete traceability and scientific reliability.
• Ethical Data Management: ONCOHELP ensures that all patient data and biological materials are de-identified and processed in strict accordance with data protection and ethical standards.
• Stakeholder Communication: As a bridge between patients, clinicians, and researchers, ONCOHELP facilitates transparent communication and disseminates project outcomes in accessible formats to patient communities and healthcare professionals.
• Feedback and Engagement: The organization will collect feedback from patients and clinicians to help align project implementation with clinical realities and patient needs, ensuring that the project remains patient-centered and impactful.

 

Impact and Added Value

Through its participation in METAGEN, ONCOHELP strengthens its position as a key contributor to translational medical research and innovation in the region. Its involvement ensures that the project’s findings directly benefit cancer patients — a group for whom infection management is often critical to survival and quality of life.

By integrating clinical insight, ethical responsibility, and collaborative research, ONCOHELP helps ensure that METAGEN achieves its overarching goal: to enhance health system resilience, equity, and diagnostic capability across the Romania–Hungary border region.