A Danish research center for cancer surgery
Our vision is to cure more patients from solid cancer and to improve quality of life beyond surgical cancer treatment.
Latest news
New International Vulvar Cancer Project Joins ACROBATIC
We are excited to welcome a new international research project to ACROBATIC. Focusing on key predictors of lymph node metastasis and recurrence in vulvar cancer, the study aims to advance more personalized and less aggressive treatment strategies. Read the full abstract below. WP 2.30 WP leader: Liselotte Petersen Due , Kolding Sygehus, Gynecologic/Obstetric deparment. Title: Impact of lymph vascular space invasion and tumor location on risk of lymph node metastases and recurrence in patients with vulvar cancer. Abstract: Purpose: This study aims to identify a subgroup of Vulva cancer (VC) patients with a low risk of lymph node metastases who may benefit from less aggressive treatment. We aim to investigate following; 1) Predictive factors of lymph node involvement and in newly diagnosed VC patients with a special focus on drainage patterns and lympho-vascular space invasion (LVSI), and 2) risk factors for metastasis in women with early-stage vulvar cancer and 3) Risk factors for regional and distant recurrence in patient with early-stage vulva cancer. Method: The study is an international retrospective observational population-based cohort study. Study 1 is based on data from VC patients identified in the Danish Gynecological Cancer Database (DGCG). Study II and III include population-based data on VC patients identified from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) and the Swedish Quality Registry for Gynecologic Cancer (SQRGC). Results: The overall purpose is to identify a low-risk group of VC patients who may benefit from a less aggressive treatment strategy than applied today.
ACROBATIC congratulates Marie Øbo Larsen, PhD student at Aarhus University, for her oral presentation at the Nordic Melanoma Meeting 2025
ACROBATIC congratulates Marie Øbo Larsen, PhD student at Aarhus Universitet, who received an ACROBATIC travel grant to participate in the Nordic Melanoma Meeting 2025 , held 10–12 November 2025 in Tromsø, Norway , where she delivered an oral presentation of her translational melanoma research. Marie presented her work entitled: “Peri-operative Treatment with Tranexamic Acid (TXA); Prognostic and Treatment-Related Impact of the Plasmin(ogen) Pathway in Melanoma”.
ACROBATIC congratulates Julie Lykke Harbjerg, PhD student at Aahus University, for her oral and poster presentation at ESSO 2025
ACROBATIC congratulates Julie Lykke Harbjerg, PhD student at Aahus University, who received an ACROBATIC travel grant to participate in the 44th Congress of the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO), held 15–17 October 2025 in Göteborg, Sweden , where she delivered both an oral and poster presentation. Julie presented her research entitled: “Prophylactic Laparoscopic Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer. Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study: the ProPEC-I Trial” . About the study: Introduction: The prognosis for advanced gastric cancer (GC) remains poor, and only about one-third of patients can be offered curative treatment. Early peritoneal progression during preoperative chemotherapy frequently leads to dropout from curative care. When peritoneal metastasis (PM) occurs, median overall survival is approximately three months. Although chemotherapy can prolong survival, long-term outcomes remain limited. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has shown potential in preventing PM after surgery for GC. The ProPEC-I Trial is the first prospective, randomized study in Denmark to evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic HIPEC (LS-HIPEC)—and the first worldwide to investigate the safety of administering LS-HIPEC before preoperative chemotherapy. The study aims to lay the foundation for future research into LS-HIPEC as prophylaxis against early peritoneal progression. Methods: This phase I/II randomized feasibility study enrolled 14 patients, assigned 1:1 to either LS-HIPEC or no-HIPEC. The No-HIPEC group received standard treatment: pre- and postoperative chemotherapy and D1+ gastrectomy. The HIPEC group received the ProPEC-I regimen: one cycle of LS-HIPEC with 100 mg/m² cisplatin at 40–41°C, administered intraoperatively during diagnostic laparoscopy, followed by standard treatment. Endpoints included toxicity, morbidity, and quality of life. Survival will be assessed over a five-year follow-up period. Results: LS-HIPEC was technically feasible and well tolerated. One serious adverse event occurred in the intervention arm, but it was unrelated to the HIPEC procedure. Importantly, no patients were excluded from curative treatment due to early disease progression. Conclusions: LS-HIPEC appears feasible and safe without delaying treatment. Larger, adequately powered trials are needed to assess its potential impact on long-term survival and its role in preventing peritoneal metastasis.
Five New Grants Awarded in ACROBATIC’s August 2025 Call
In the most recent funding round with a deadline on 22 August 2025 , ACROBATIC received a total of nine applications . Following a competitive evaluation process, five new grants have been awarded to research projects that will advance knowledge and innovation in cancer surgery and related fields.
ACROBATIC
ACROBATIC is a Danish research center and collaborative network consisting of surgeons, clinicians, experts, and researchers within the field of surgical oncology.
Clinical Focus Areas
Through national studies, ACROBATIC works to create evidence to support surgical treatment of cancer, which has the potential to be tailored the individual patient. The work is executed within the three prioritized Clinical Focus Areas (CFAs), prehabilitation, surgical innovation, and survivorship, which are relevant across the 11 participating Danish Multidisciplinary Cancer Groups (DMCGs).
Work Packages
ACROBATIC has more than 43 research projects called Work Packages (WPs), which are covered by one or more of the Clinical Focus Areas (CFAs) and supported by the National Infrastructures (NIs). The research projects address and reduce known barriers within surgical research and support a broader patient, health, and community perspective.
National Infrastructures
ACROBATIC has eight defined National Infrastructures (NIs) that address and reduce known barriers in surgical research, support a broader patient, health care and societal perspective, and contribute to the consolidation of a strong national cross- and inter-disciplinary research collaboration.
Fund your research in surgical oncology
Two times a year ACROBATIC grant new and current projects within surgical oncology.
Next application deadline: 16th January 2026 at 10:59 PM