Motion for a resolution - B8-0011/2017Motion for a resolution
B8-0011/2017

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on personalised medicine and treating leukaemia

3.1.2017

pursuant to Rule 133 of the Rules of Procedure

Mireille D’Ornano

B8-0011/2017

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on personalised medicine and treating leukaemia

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–  having regard to Rule 133 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas 14 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2012 and whereas leukaemia is the twelfth most common cancer in Europe with 82 300 cases diagnosed in 2012 compared to 352 000 worldwide;

B.   whereas in terms of cancer, leukaemia is the eighth most common cause of death in Europe and the tenth in the world (53 800 deaths in 2012 in Europe and 265 000 worldwide) and whereas it is usually treated using chemotherapy, which has a high success rate (70-80%) but leads to serious side effects;

C.  whereas the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute is currently conducting research programmes on the human genome that would enable doctors to personalise cancer treatments; and whereas the Rete Ematologica Lombarda (the Lombardy Haematology Network, Italy) uses those methods;

1.  Stresses that personalised medicine represents a significant advance in treatment methods that would improve the cost-benefit ratio of treatments for serious illnesses;

2.  Urges the Commission to support research into personalised medicine, particularly on the introduction of rigorous diagnostic methods.