Immune Oncology Research Instiute

The Immune Oncology Research Institute (IMMONC), established in April 2022 and headquartered in Yerevan, is a non-profit organization focusing on cancer research, treatment, and education. The institute's activities include conducting clinical research and building research capacity, with an emphasis on making cancer therapies accessible, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. IMMONC's role is to contribute to the global effort in cancer care through research and development in oncology.
==History==
The Immune Oncology Research Institute (IMMONC), founded in April 2022 by Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan, Dr. Samvel Bardakhchyan, and Dr. Astghik Voskanyan, is a non-profit organization based in Yerevan. Its focus is on the advancement of cancer treatment and research, particularly in the area of immune-oncology. IMMONC's primary activities include conducting regional and global clinical research, developing specialized programs to enhance research capacity, and striving to make advancements in cancer treatment widely accessible. The institute also aims to integrate immune-oncology therapies into practice, improve patient access to these treatments, and support the development of future cancer researchers, thereby contributing to the broader field of global cancer management.
==Initiatives==
====Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN) International Registry====
The BPDCN International Registry focuses on research into BPDCN, classified as a rare hematologic malignancy by the WHO in 2008. BPDCN diagnosis relies on specific markers like CD4, CD56, and CD123, distinguishing it from similar conditions. Treatment remains uncertain, typically involving multi-agent chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. To address this, a global registry project is underway, collecting data on BPDCN patients to inform treatment recommendations. Enrollment is open to all demographics, with prospective enrollment until June 2027, and retrospective data collection since January 2010, aiming to improve BPDCN management and meet unmet medical needs.
====International Registry of the Rare Embryonal Tumors of the CNS====
The International Registry of Rare Embryonal Tumors of the Central Nervous System, initiated by the IMMONC team, is aimed at establishing a comprehensive multicenter database dedicated to pediatric and young adult patients with rare embryonal CNS tumors. This registry's core objectives encompass the systematic documentation of demographic and clinical characteristics of affected individuals, the evaluation of prognostic factors that may influence disease outcomes, the identification of diagnostic and treatment gaps, and the development of data-driven recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. Of particular importance is the registry's commitment to addressing the challenges faced in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the understanding and management of these complex CNS tumors. Dr. Julia Hoveyan and Dr. Ruzanna Papyan lead this initiative, bringing their expertise to advance knowledge and care in the field of rare embryonal CNS tumors on a global scale.
==Working Groups==
====The Lung Cancer Working Group====
The Lung Cancer Working Group (LCWG) is a multidisciplinary team in Armenia focusing on thoracic malignancies. Comprising medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, thoracic surgeons, pathologists, and radiologists, the group convenes bi-weekly to discuss patient management strategies for conditions such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and thymic malignancies. Their primary aim is to improve patient care quality and facilitate knowledge exchange within the medical community. The group is led by Professor Gregory Peter Kalamkerian and co-chaired by Dr. Davit Zohrabyan, emphasizing clinical research and the adaptation of international guidelines to the Armenian context.
====Gastrointestinal Cancer Working Group====
The Gastrointestinal Cancer Working Group (GICWG) in Armenia is a collaborative team of specialists in GI malignancies. It includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, abdominal surgeons, pathologists, and radiologists, meeting bi-weekly to deliberate on management strategies for gastric, colon, pancreatic, and neuroendocrine cancers. The group's main objective is to elevate the standard of care for patients and promote collaborative learning. Supervised by Professor Philip Agop Philip and co-chaired by Dr. Lilit Harutyunyan, GICWG also focuses on integrating international guidelines for GI malignancies into Armenian medical practices, enhancing cancer care in the region.
==Publications==
* Secondary Malignancy In Giant Cell Tumor Of The Skull Base After Denosumab Treatment: Case Report
* Trends in pediatric CNS tumors in Armenia: a multicenter retrospective study
* Patterns of unmet needs of adolescents and young adults (AYA) in the developing world: Beyond the walls
* Why adult patients with acute leukemias are dying in the developing world: The other side of the coin
* Lung Cancer in Armenia
* Overview of Cancer Control in Armenia and Policy Implications
Category:Companies established in 2022
Category:Companies of Armenia