Member Aldo Venuti reports following his six month staying as Visiting Professor at the
Department of Genetics of the Federal University of Pernambuco (Recife, Brazil)
“From the beginning of 2026 and for a period of six months, I was in Brazil after winning a call for a Visiting Professor position at the Department of Genetics of the Federal University of Pernambuco (Recife, Brazil). As part of my activities, I served as a supervisor for the drafting of numerous research projects by PhD students and post-docs at the LEMTe laboratory, directed by Prof. Antonio Carlos de Freitas. On March 4th, I contributed to the organization of an information day for International HPV Awareness Day, where I had the opportunity to report on the activities of MTTC. The more formal academic activities included a 40-hour course for PhD students, which was held in two different departments, titled: “Infection-Associated Cancers: Could They Be Eliminated from the Face of the Earth?”. In this course, I highlighted the fundamental role of infection prevention as a key strategy for cancer prevention, emphasizing the work carried out over the years by MTTC. Finally, I delivered three plenary seminars titled: “Innovative Routes to HPV therapy: Immunotherapy and Molecular targeting”, “HPV-Driven Oropharyngeal Cancer: Translating Biology into Practice with Circulating HPV DNA”, and “Preventing versus therapeutic HPV vaccines”
Oct, 2026
The first gene therapy for beta-thalassemia (Thalassemia Major) in Sardinia
has become a reality
This achievement was made possible thanks to the decisive efforts of Armando Bartolazzi—a pathologist and researcher trained at the “Regina Elena” National Cancer Institute in Rome, a former Regional Councillor for Health, and a member of the Mediterranean Taskforce for Cancer Control (www.mtcc-prevention.net). Bartolazzi spearheaded this initiative, designating the Adult and Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Center at the ARNAS G. Brotzu Hospital in Cagliari as the regional reference facility for delivering this highly complex procedure.
Key aspects of this medical milestone—which is particularly significant for patients at risk of developing liver cancer (as noted by the AIRC Foundation for Cancer Research)—include: • The innovative treatment: The procedure targets the patient’s stem cells using a highly complex “genome editing” method to correct the underlying genetic defect causing the disease. • Real-world impact: As of September 2026, Brotzu Hospital announced that the first adult patient treated is responding excellently to the therapy, allowing for discharge without the need for the frequent, life-saving blood transfusions typically required for those with Thalassemia Major. • A new healthcare landscape for Sardinia: Dr. Bartolazzi’s commitment as Regional Councillor for Health enabled the island to access the national fund for innovative medicines, ensuring the sustainability of these advanced treatments for a growing number of potential candidates. • The Mediterranean Task force for Cancer Control MTCC—founded in Italy in 2005, supported solely by its members—is grateful to Dr. Bartolazzi for his dedication and for achieving this milestone.
President reports from Boston on MTCC Participation at the Global Health Catalyst Summit, 2026
The Mediterranean Task Force for Cancer Control (MTCC) participated in the Global Health Catalyst Summit Harvard/MIT, 2026, held in Boston on September 18–21, bringing together international leaders and experts committed to advancing cancer care, research, education, innovation, and health equity. On September 19, I had the honor of representing MTCC as its President on the Summit’s first panel, alongside distinguished experts including Dr. Julie Gralow, Chief Medical Officer of ASCO, a Harvard professor in Clinical informatics, and the CEO of Vibrent Health. The discussion highlighted opportunities for international collaboration and innovative approaches to improving cancer prevention, care, and outcomes. On September 20, an important milestone was reached with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between MTCC and the Global Health Catalyst (GHC) together with the Director of GHC, Prof. Wilfred Ngwa. The MoU establishes a framework for closer collaboration in cancer prevention and control, education, research, capacity building, and equitable access to cancer care. This partnership opens a new chapter for MTCC, strengthening connections between the Mediterranean region and the global cancer community and creating opportunities for meaningful joint initiatives. In addition, I initiated a new collaboration between MTCC and AMSTRO (Asia and Middle East Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology), an international professional society dedicated to advancing equitable cancer care across Asia and the Middle East through education, innovation, and collaboration. This partnership is planned to be formalized through the signing of an MoU at the next AMSTRO Conference in Dubai, further expanding MTCC’s international network and opportunities for joint initiatives in cancer prevention, education, research, and care. The Summit also provided an opportunity to engage with Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan, Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of OncoDaily and Professor and Chair of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at Yerevan State Medical University, further strengthening opportunities for international collaboration and visibility of MTCC initiatives.”
MTCC Vice President Dr Maisam Akroush receives the WGO Trailblazer Award Recognizing HER outstanding role as woman in medicine who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in advancing healthcare, education, research, mentorship, or advocacy. World Congress of Gastroenterology, New Delhi, India, September 30- October 3, 2026.
The Secretary Endorsement to next WHO Presidency
ENDORSEMENT OF THE CANDIDACY OF DR. GEVORG TAMAMYAN FOR DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION As Secretary General of the Mediterranean Task Force for Cancer Control (MTCC), I wish to express my strong and unconditional endorsement of the candidacy of Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan for the position of Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). In view of Dr. Tamamyan’s academic and clinical work, as well as his creative and supportive contributions to cancer care and medical organizations, I particularly recognize his leadership in founding the Institute of Cancer and Crisis, an initiative calling for improved cancer care and access to essential health services for populations affected by armed conflict. Since its foundation in 2015, the Mediterranean Task Force for Cancer Control (MTCC) has been committed to influencing policies and promoting programs and activities aimed at eliminating disparities in cancer prevention and control, regardless of gender, ethnicity, political affiliation, religious belief, socioeconomic status, or place of residence. Dr. Tamamyan’s professional commitment and humanitarian vision are closely aligned with these principles. His work reflects the importance of equitable access to quality cancer care and of strengthening health systems for vulnerable and underserved populations. On behalf of the Mediterranean Task Force for Cancer Control and its members, I therefore convey our sincere support for Dr. Tamamyan’s nomination and wish him every success in his candidacy. Secretary General Mediterranean Task Force for Cancer Control (MTCC)
MTCC Activity Report
October , 2026
MTCC participation at the Global Health Catalyst Summit 2026
Boston, USA | September 18–21, 2026
The Mediterranean Task Force for Cancer Control (MTCC) participated in the Global Health Catalyst (GHC) Summit 2026, an international gathering bringing together leaders in oncology, global health, academia, research, technology, and healthcare to advance collaboration, innovation, and health equity.
MTCC was represented by its President, Prof. Dr. Suzana Manxhuka-Kerliu.
On September 19, Prof. Manxhuka-Kerliu participated in the first panel of the Summit alongside distinguished international experts, including Dr. Julie Gralow, Chief Medical Officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), a Harvard expert in biomedical informatics, and the CEO of Vibrent Health. The discussions emphasized international cooperation, innovation, and opportunities to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and equitable access to care.
MTCC–GHC Memorandum of Understanding
On September 20, an important milestone was achieved with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MTCC and the Global Health Catalyst.
The agreement was signed by Prof. Dr. Suzana Manxhuka-Kerliu, President of MTCC, and the Director of GHC, establishing a framework for future collaboration in cancer prevention and control, education, research, capacity building, and equitable cancer care.
The agreement represents an important step in strengthening MTCC’s international partnerships and connecting the Mediterranean cancer-control community with broader global health initiatives.
Engagement with OncoDaily
During the Summit, Prof. Manxhuka-Kerliu also met with Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of OncoDaily, Professor and Chair of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at Yerevan State Medical University, and an internationally recognized leader in oncology and global health.
OncoDaily featured Prof. Manxhuka-Kerliu and MTCC’s participation in the Global Health Catalyst Summit, contributing to the international visibility of MTCC and its cancer-control activities.
Following Dr. Tamamyan’s nomination by the Republic of Botswana as a candidate for Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Prof. Manxhuka-Kerliu, in her capacity as President of MTCC, publicly welcomed and endorsed his candidacy, highlighting his background in pediatric oncology, global cancer care, international collaboration, and commitment to health equity.
Expanding Collaboration with AMSTRO
Prof. Manxhuka-Kerliu also initiated a new collaboration between MTCC and AMSTRO (Asia and Middle East Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology).
The partnership is planned to be formalized through the signing of an MoU at a forthcoming AMSTRO conference in Dubai, further expanding MTCC’s international network and creating opportunities for scientific exchange, education, research, and collaborative cancer-control initiatives.
Significance for MTCC
MTCC’s participation in the Global Health Catalyst Summit resulted in several important outcomes: the formalization of the MTCC–GHC partnership, initiation of collaboration with AMSTRO, strengthened engagement with OncoDaily and the wider global oncology community, and increased international visibility for MTCC.
These developments represent an important step in strengthening MTCC’s role as an international platform for cancer prevention, early detection, education, research, equitable cancer care, and collaboration across the Mediterranean region and beyond.
The full text of MoU can be asked to natalipg2002@yahoo.it
Vedi meno
To unify efforts and expertise to reduce cancer-related suffering and mortality by decreasing the incidence of advanced disease
Army Medicine: a readily deployable resource in public health emergencies, a valuable ally in fighting the constant Cancer emergency.
Mediterranean Taskforce for Cancer Control
MTCC
Cancer Prevention, Screening, and Early Detection are rather neglected actions in most of the Mediterranean bordering countries, with a sensitive burden on health costs and suffering incurred for the cure of advanced-stage disease. Due to the aging of the population and the changes in environment and lifestyles, cancer incidence and mortality are becoming a global health emergency. They will soon become a priority for national Health Authorities, also in view of decreasing economic resources. World Health Organization’s data clearly shows how the survival of cancer patients, because of late diagnosis, is directly proportional to the amounts of resources allocated to prevention and early diagnosis.
A Mediterranean Task Force for Cancer Control (MTCC) was established in 2004 as a Non Profit non Governmental Organization (NGO), open to representatives of the Mediterranean bordering countries as well as other countries.
Representatives from Albania, Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Montenegro, Morocco, Palestine, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey. IARC and UICC expressed their support for the initiative.
The MTCC, managed by responsible and reputed professionals, aims to influence at the national level the appropriate institutions and bodies (lawmakers, stakeholders, health officials, voluntary organizations, etc.) to prioritize health policies that enforce prevention and early diagnosis, in contrast the foreseen increasing cancer burden.
In this context, Prevention and Early Diagnosis are recommended as priority strategies in view of the diminishing economic resources and the skyrocketing prices of treating advanced diseases. The latter will undoubtedly produce broader unequal access to treatments resulting from differences in individual income.
Although cancer research has progressed at a rapid pace, a gap remains between what is known about how to improve cancer prevention and early diagnosis and what is implemented as best practices in the given health system and communities (Cancer Epidemiol Biomark. Prev. 23(11); 2512–21. 2014 ).
This is medically Unjustified and Unethical from whatsoever point of view and for any health provider since a large proportion of the most commonly occurring tumors can be efficiently prevented and diagnosed at early curable stages.
Thus dissemination and implementation policies, which seek to pursue means of translating effective interventions into practice, is critical to narrowing the present research-to-practice gap, otherwise bound to wide
MTCC has recognized these issues, since 2005, as funding mission and legacy (see AIMS and Mission) by embodying in the By-Laws (see art.2) these principles (see By-Laws Section):
reduce cancer mortality and the burden of advanced disease in the Mediterranean area by promoting prevention/early diagnosis;
promote collection and use of information for professional and public education;
increase the proportion of Mediterranean citizens who have access to state-of-art cancer screenings, diagnoses, treatments, and palliative care;
influence policies and promote programs and activities to eliminate disparities in cancer control in relation to gender, race-ethnicity, insurance & socioeconomic status, and place of residence.
Thus MTCC acted consequently addressing this alarming situation by three specific actions:
Information:Multilingual Primary and Secondary Prevention Brochures;
Education:Postgraduate Courses;
Training:Full immersion Teaching Courses.
MTCC advocates that Cancer is not only a medical issue but requires the involvement of the largest number of stakeholders, including non-doctor health officers, administrators, schools, patients’ advocacy groups, and survivors ( see Past Activities).
January 2022: Our Honorary Member, Princess Dina Mired is acknowledged for the tireless effort in the fight against Cancer by The Italian League for the fight against Cancer (www.LILT.it) celebrating its 100 Anniversary
March 2022: Our young Member, Dr. Valentina Iacobelli, corresponds from Africa where she is participating in a humanitarian mission aimed at decreasing the occurrence of advanced gynecologic malignancies
