FAQ - REBECCA

REBECCA aims to tap into the potential of Real-World Data (RWD), combining it with an advanced data management platform and innovative causal data modelling methodologies, with the objective to improve clinical research on Complex Chronic Conditions (CCC) and to improve the healthcare outcomes for patients who have undergone or are still in primary cancer treatment.

REBECCA stands for REsearch on BrEast Cancer induced chronic conditions supported by Causal Analysis of multi-source data.

Real-World Data (RWD) are the data relating to patient health status obtained outside regulated clinical trials and generated during routine clinical practice. RWD may come from a number of sources including electronic health records (EHR), medical claims and billing activities, product and disease registries, patient-generated data, and biometric monitoring devices.

Real-World Evidence (RWE) is the clinical evidence concerning the use and potential benefits or risks associated with a medical product derived from the analysis of RWD.

REBECCA will combine clinical data with data describing patients’ real-life behaviour including their physical activity, eating habits and sleep as well as information related to their online interaction. These new forms of Real-World Data will become available thanks to the analysis of sensor and log data collected via mobile and wearable devices. Novel functional and emotional indices will be produced for each individual and their ability to characterise patient status and quality of life will be examined.

REBECCA 360º platform, a combination of minimally obtrusive, non-stigmatising mobile applications will be offered to breast cancer survivors as a means of supporting their everyday life and enhancing their interaction with health experts. The same system will be able to collect details of patients functional and emotional status during their participation in clinical research campaigns.

Real-World Data collected by REBECCA will be processed by Innovative Causal Analysis models focusing on the complex array of chronic comorbidities developed during breast cancer recovery.

A total of 7 clinical studies in 3 countries, Norway, Spain and Sweden, involving over 650 individuals, will produce new knowledge on clinical management of cancer patients that will shape future guidelines and practices for post-cancer treatments. Best practices resulting from the studies will be disseminated to researchers, public health and regulatory bodies throughout Europe.

REBECCA project has a budget of 5.2 million EUR and is funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement no. 965231).