Summary

The International Collaboration for Cancer Classification and Research (IC3R), an IARC-coordinated effort, aims to provide a forum to bring together institutions as universities, research centres and agencies with a well-established role in the field of tumour classification and cancer research. Through an international, collaborative framework IC3R will promote the development of standards, best practices, evidence synthesis and innovative approaches in cancer research. In addition, IC3R will coordinate the appraisal of evidence for tumour classification and cancer diagnosis to facilitate rapid translation into clinical diagnostic practice and the WHO Classification of Tumours, known as the Blue Books. Several key missions for IC3R have already been identified that include projects as the Evidence-based Pathology project, ISO Standards for research laboratories and methods development for the future use of integrated analyses of digital material with biomarker/genomic and translational data. IC3R’s mission aligns well with Alliance objectives as it is a collaborative initiative that will produce concrete practical deliverables that will help to identify and address key elements necessary to move the field of digital pathology forward.

Dr. Ian Cree is the Head of IARC’s Section of Evidence Synthesis and Classification, and Head of WHO Classification of Tumours Group.

Dr. B. Iciar Indave is the Systematic Reviewer of the WHO/IARC Classification of Tumours group. As a MD, MPH, PhD she provides methodological support to ensure the evidence-based approach of the WHO Classification of Tumours and coordinates IC3R, as well as international collaborations on Evidence-based Pathology.

Dr. Indave is collaborating with Dr. Ian Cree, an Alliance 2020 speaker and key Alliance member, to lead this international effort.