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Welcome to ON-COME

Transforming Psychosocial and Nutritional Care in Paediatric Oncology

ON-COME (Paediatric Oncology Network and Communication on the Mind–Body–Environment Relationship) is a European-funded project (Grant Agreement No. 101219424) under the EU4Health Programme, dedicated to improving the psychosocial, neuropsychological, and nutritional care of children, adolescents, and young adults (0–24 years) living with cancer across Europe. The project runs from October 2025 to September 2028.

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About ON-COME

Background & Rationale:Paediatric cancer affects more than 14 000 children and adolescents each year in Europe. While survival has improved, disparities persist in the availability of psychosocial, neuropsychological, and nutritional support services. Many hospitals lack trained professionals or structured pathways to address anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment, and malnutrition that often accompany treatment. ON-COME addresses these inequalities by establishing a standardised model of care that can be adopted across European healthcare systems.

Mission:To create a unified, evidence-based system that integrates psychological, cognitive, and nutritional support into standard paediatric oncology care, ensuring that every young patient in Europe receives holistic, person-centred treatment.

Objectives: 1. Mapping and standardisation of psychosocial and nutritional services.
2. Development of digital tools—AI-powered patient and professional platforms.
3. Training and capacity building for healthcare professionals.
4. Clinical piloting to test feasibility and impact.
5. Policy engagement and sustainability through the ON-COME Alliance.

Key Pillars

Mapping

Analysing existing supportive-care systems and identifying gaps.

Digital Tools

Designing AI-enabled apps and platforms for families and professionals.

Training

Building the capacity of healthcare professionals across Europe.

Pilots

Implementing and validating the unified model in real-world hospitals.

Policy Impact

Driving sustainable change and informing EU-level standards.

Timeline & Milestones

2025

Kick-off meeting, ethics approvals, mapping initiation (M1–M6).

2026

Unified service blueprint; data infrastructure and first training modules (M12–M18).

2027

App and platform deployment; pilot implementation (M18–M30).

2028

Evaluation, sustainability report, ON-COME Alliance launch (M35–M36).

Consortium

ON-COME unites 11 beneficiaries spanning healthcare, research, digital innovation, and patient advocacy. The consortium is coordinated by Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC, Italy) and follows a multi-tiered governance model including a General Assembly, Steering Committee, and Ethical Board.

Partner Country Role Core Expertise
UCSC – Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Italy Coordinator Clinical, Management
FPG – Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS Italy Partner Member Clinical Mapping
UoA – National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Greece Partner Member Research, Neuropsychology
UMIL – University of Milan Italy Partner Member Neuropsychological Sciences
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Germany Partner Member Clinical Pilots
OPBG – Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù Italy Partner Member Paediatric Oncology
HCL – Hospices Civils de Lyon France Partner Member Training, Psychosocial Care
UPM – Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Spain Partner Member Digital Innovation, AI
DW – DataWizard SRL Italy Partner Member Software Development
EAPM – European Alliance for Personalised Medicine Slovenia Partner Member Policy & Communication
FAVO – Federazione Italiana delle Associazioni di Volontariato in Oncologia Italy Partner Member Patient Advocacy
OPBG
UniMi
DataWizard
FAVO
HCL
FPG
Charité
EAPM
UCSC
UoA
UPM

Work Packages

WP1 – Management & Coordination (UCSC)

Ensures administrative, financial, and ethical compliance. Oversees reporting, risk and quality management, and alignment with EU rules.

WP2 – Mapping & Standardisation (FPG)

Maps current psychosocial and nutritional services across Europe, identifies gaps, and produces a Unified Service Blueprint and tools for quality-of-life monitoring.

WP3 – Digital Tools & AI Development (UPM)

Develops GDPR-compliant data architecture, the Patient & Caregiver App, the HCP Platform, and AI models to personalise support.

WP4 – Training & Skills Enhancement (HCL)

Designs training programmes in neuropsychology, psychosocial support, nutrition, and digital literacy. Evaluates skill development and integration in clinical routines.

WP5 – Piloting & Clinical Implementation (Charité)

Implements pilots in hospitals, testing behavioural and service changes, long-term patient outcomes, and sustainability models.

WP6 – Dissemination & Policy Impact (EAPM)

Leads communications, stakeholder engagement, policy dialogues, and development of the ON-COME Alliance for sustainability.

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Work Package 1 – Project Management and Coordination

Lead Beneficiary: UCSC

Work Package 1 ensures the effective management, coordination and strategic oversight of the ON-COME project. It provides the operational backbone that enables all partners to work efficiently toward a shared goal: transforming supportive care for young cancer patients across Europe.

Objectives

WP1 is responsible for:

  • Ensuring smooth administrative and financial management
  • Coordinating scientific and technical progress
  • Managing quality, risks and innovation
  • Guaranteeing ethical and regulatory compliance
  • Overseeing pilot coordination across countries
Through structured governance and transparent communication, WP1 ensures that clinical innovation, digital development and supportive care implementation remain aligned with ON-COME’s long-term vision.

Key Activities

Administrative and Financial Coordination
Led by UCSC, this activity ensures compliance with the Grant Agreement and Consortium Agreement, oversees reporting, manages budgets, and supports partners in administrative matters. It also monitors intellectual property rights and facilitates communication with the European Commission.

Technical and Data Management
Technical progress is continuously monitored to ensure that digital tools and clinical components evolve according to high-quality standards. A comprehensive Data Management Plan guarantees secure, compliant and harmonized data handling across the consortium.

Quality, Risk and Innovation Management
International research standards are applied to monitor deliverables and performance. Risks (technical, operational, or strategic) are proactively identified and mitigated. Innovation management supports the translation of project results into sustainable and scalable solutions.

Ethical and Regulatory Compliance
WP1 ensures adherence to GDPR, the EU AI Act and health research regulations. An Ethical Board oversees research integrity, data protection, cybersecurity and responsible AI use.

Pilots Coordination
Close coordination of pilot sites ensures scientific rigor, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with project objectives. Key performance indicators are monitored to track progress and impact.

By providing structured coordination across 36 months, WP1 ensures that ON-COME’s clinical, digital and policy innovations are delivered efficiently, ethically and sustainably.

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Work Package 2 – Mapping and Standardization of the Unified Psycho-Oncological Services

Lead Beneficiary: FPG | Duration: Month 1–18

Work Package 2 lays the clinical foundation of ON-COME. It maps existing psycho-oncological services across Europe, identifies gaps in care, and develops a standardized, holistic framework for supportive services in pediatric oncology.

Objectives

WP2 aims to:

  • Map current psychosocial, neuropsychological and nutritional services
  • Identify structural and capability gaps across healthcare systems
  • Develop a harmonized model of supportive care
  • Create standardized clinical protocols for implementation across Europe
The ultimate goal is to ensure equitable access to high-quality supportive care for all young cancer patients, regardless of location.

Key Activities

Mapping and Networking of Services
A comprehensive European mapping exercise identifies existing psycho-oncological services and builds national and cross-border networks to promote collaboration and sustainability.

Capability Assessment and Gap Analysis
Healthcare system capacities are assessed to identify inconsistencies, shortages in trained personnel, and service gaps affecting psychosocial, neuropsychological and nutritional care.

Holistic Rehabilitation Framework
WP2 develops a standardized patient journey model integrating psychosocial, cognitive, emotional, and nutritional support. This blueprint promotes multidisciplinary, patient-centered rehabilitation strategies that can be adopted across countries.

Improved Quality-of-Life Assessment Tools
Enhanced tools and methodologies are developed to better monitor wellbeing, mental health, and quality of life. These tools will later be integrated into ON-COME’s digital platforms for continuous monitoring.

By Month 18, WP2 delivers a unified, evidence-based framework that forms the clinical and conceptual core of ON-COME’s supportive care model.

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Work Package 3 – Digital Tools & Services Development

Lead Beneficiary: UPM | Duration: Month 4–30

Work Package 3 translates clinical innovation into digital solutions. It develops the technological infrastructure and AI-powered tools that support patients, families and healthcare professionals in delivering integrated supportive care.

Objectives

WP3 aims to:

  • Build a secure, scalable digital ecosystem
  • Develop user-friendly applications for patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals
  • Integrate AI-driven decision-support systems
  • Ensure compliance with GDPR and FAIR data principles
This work package enables real-time, personalized and data-driven supportive care.

Key Activities

System Architecture and Data Model Design
A robust and scalable system architecture is defined, ensuring interoperability with hospital systems and compliance with European regulations.

Data Infrastructure and Protection
Secure data collection, storage and sharing mechanisms are implemented, with strong encryption, access control and privacy safeguards—particularly for sensitive pediatric health data.

Backend Development and Interconnectivity
A secure backend infrastructure enables interoperability between ON-COME tools and hospital information systems, ensuring seamless communication and data exchange.

Educational Knowledge Base and Edu-Gaming Tools
An AI-powered educational platform provides age-appropriate, evidence-based resources for patients, families and professionals, improving health literacy and engagement.

Patients & Caregivers App and HCP Platform
User-centered applications are developed with gamified elements and adaptive interfaces, ensuring accessibility and personalization.

AI-Powered Services
Advanced AI models analyze patient profiles to recommend personalized psychosocial and nutritional interventions, supporting clinicians in decision-making and improving care coordination.

By Month 30, WP3 delivers a fully operational digital ecosystem that enhances supportive care delivery across Europe.

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Work Package 4 – Training and Skills Enhancement of Healthcare Professionals

Lead Beneficiary: HCL | Duration: Month 10–20

Work Package 4 strengthens professional capacity in pediatric oncology supportive care. It equips healthcare professionals (HCPs) with advanced skills in neuropsychology, psychosocial support, nutrition and digital tool utilization.

Objectives

WP4 aims to:

  • Enhance specialized clinical competencies
  • Standardize supportive care training across institutions
  • Prepare HCPs for digital integration
  • Improve holistic, patient-centered care delivery

Key Activities

Advanced Neuropsychological and Vision Function Training
Specialized training improves early identification and management of cognitive impairments resulting from cancer treatment.

Psychosocial Support Skills Enhancement
Healthcare professionals are trained in managing anxiety, depression, emotional distress and family-centered care approaches.

Nutritional Support Training
Targeted education enhances professionals’ ability to provide tailored nutritional guidance to support treatment tolerance and recovery.

Training on Digital Tools
HCPs are trained to effectively use ON-COME’s digital platforms before full deployment, ensuring seamless integration into clinical workflows.

Evaluation and Feedback Collection
Training effectiveness is assessed to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with evolving clinical needs.

WP4 ensures that innovation is not only technological but also human—empowering professionals to deliver high-quality supportive care.

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Work Package 5 – Piloting of the Unified Service System

Lead Beneficiary: CHARITE | Duration: Month 12–34

Work Package 5 brings ON-COME into real clinical settings. It pilots the standardized supportive care model and evaluates its impact on patients, families and healthcare systems.

Objectives

WP5 aims to:

  • Implement psychosocial, neuropsychological and nutritional services in pilot centers
  • Evaluate clinical and behavioral impact
  • Monitor patient outcomes longitudinally
  • Assess sustainability and scalability

Key Activities

Ethical Approval and Compliance
All pilot and interventional activities receive ethical approval and maintain strict compliance with regulatory standards.

Pilot Implementation and Twinning Approach
Experienced centers mentor others through a twinning mechanism, enabling knowledge transfer and capacity building.

Behavioural Change Support
Psychological and cultural strategies support long-term adoption of digital tools among professionals and families.

Longitudinal Outcome Monitoring
Digital platforms track mental health, quality of life and nutritional indicators in real time to assess effectiveness.

Sustainability Assessment
Organizational and financial feasibility analyses ensure that new services can be maintained and scaled beyond the project’s duration.

WP5 ensures that ON-COME’s model is practical, effective and sustainable in diverse healthcare environments.

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Work Package 6 – Dissemination, Outreach, Ecosystem Building & Policy Impact

Lead Beneficiary: EAPM | Duration: Month 1–36

Work Package 6 maximizes the visibility, sustainability and policy impact of ON-COME. It ensures that the project’s innovations reach healthcare professionals, patient communities, policymakers and standardization bodies across Europe.

Objectives

WP6 aims to:

  • Disseminate research findings and best practices
  • Influence policy and standardization frameworks
  • Build a European ON-COME ecosystem
  • Develop sustainable business and exploitation models
This work package enables real-time, personalized and data-driven supportive care.

Key Activities

Dissemination and Communication Strategy
A comprehensive communication plan ensures consistent messaging through scientific publications, conferences, digital media and stakeholder events.

Engagement with Standardization Bodies
ON-COME contributes to the development of European care standards, integrating project innovations into broader healthcare frameworks.

Community and Ecosystem Building
A collaborative network connects healthcare providers, patient organizations, policymakers and industry partners, supported by a Scaling-Up Plan and twinning opportunities.

Exploitation and Value Analysis
Market analysis and stakeholder consultation prepare ON-COME tools for long-term adoption and commercialization.

Business Modelling and Sustainability Planning
A robust business model and the creation of the ON-COME Alliance ensure that project results continue to deliver value beyond EU funding.

Through WP6, ON-COME extends its impact from clinical innovation to systemic transformation—helping shape the future of supportive pediatric oncology care across Europe.

Capacity Building

Training Strategy (WP4)

ON-COME builds healthcare workforce capacity through modular training on: Neuropsychological and vision function techniques, Psychosocial support, Nutritional care and counselling, Digital tools adoption.

Workshops & Webinars (WP4, WP6)

Interactive sessions across partner centres foster knowledge exchange and peer learning. The website will feature a training calendar and video archive.

Certification & Recognition

Participants completing ON-COME training receive a certificate of competence, contributing to professional accreditation and recognition within EU networks.

Impact & Policy

Policy & Sustainability
ON-COME contributes to EU cancer policy by generating evidence-based recommendations for: Integrating psychosocial and nutritional services into national cancer plans, Standardising patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), Supporting the long-term adoption of digital health tools. The ON-COME Alliance (M36) will consolidate partnerships for future joint actions, policy advocacy, and funding continuity.

News & Events

Latest Updates

Latest News

Project updates, milestones, and outcomes published quarterly.

Events Calendar

Lists consortium meetings, workshops, training webinars, and policy roundtables.

Press Releases

Official announcements shared with EU media and stakeholder networks.

Newsletters

Access every issue and stay informed about ON-COME activities