GMKA Showcases U-COPE Course Results at ESMO 2025, Demonstrating Effective Cancer Care Training During Wartime
The Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (GMKA) presented new findings from its educational program at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2025, one of the world’s leading oncology conferences. Held in Berlin, Germany, the event brought together physicians, scientists, patient advocates, and industry leaders from around the globe to share the latest advances in cancer care. GMKA’s presentation highlighted innovative approaches to medical education and capacity building in oncology, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to improving cancer outcomes through international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
During the Supportive Care poster session, GMKA representatives — Dr. Yuliia Novytska, medical oncologist, and Dr. Mariana Kuryk, medical intern — unveiled results from the study “Ukraine Clinical Oncology Project ECHO (U-COPE): An Effective Model for Improving the Quality of Cancer Care During Wartime.” The research highlighted an educational initiative implemented by GMKA in partnership with the MD Anderson Cancer Center Project ECHO Superhub.
The project gained international recognition for showing that even amid war, high-quality medical education can reinforce healthcare systems and serve as a model for countries in crisis.
U-COPE: A Course Created in Response to Ukrainian Physicians’ Needs
The Ukraine Clinical Oncology Project ECHO (U-COPE) is a free virtual educational program, designed to enhance training for clinical oncologists and hematologists in managing side effects of systemic cancer therapies. The course curriculum was developed based on feedback from Ukrainian physicians and patient advocacy groups.
Dr. Darya Kizub, GMKA’s Director of Oncology & Research and Assistant Professor at the Department of Breast Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, led the program. The GMKA team conducted interviews, moderated sessions, provided translation, managed technical support, and secured continuing medical education (CME) accreditation. Experts from MD Anderson Cancer Center — one of the world’s top-ranked oncology institutions — delivered the webinars.
Over five months, 45 physicians from across Ukraine participated in 12 interactive sessions, conducted in English with simultaneous Ukrainian translation. Beyond lectures, participants discussed real clinical cases and engaged directly with speakers through live Q&A sessions.
“The topics covered in U-COPE were chosen based on the needs of Ukrainian clinicians and patient representatives,” said Dr. Yuliia Novytska, co-author of the study and U-COPE coordinator. “The project became a vital platform for international knowledge exchange at a time when such opportunities are limited in Ukraine. This model could also be adapted for other countries facing similar challenges, and sharing our experience with the global community demonstrates that we continue to advance cancer care despite the ongoing war.”
Evaluating U-COPE’s Effectiveness
The effectiveness of U-COPE was assessed through participant surveys and testing. Physicians evaluated their understanding of key topics and clinical confidence before and after the course, and completed a 25-question final exam.
The analysis showed a significant increase in both knowledge and confidence:
- The percentage of participants who rated their understanding of course topics as “good” or “excellent” increased from 38.3% to 78.7% (p < 0.05).
- Those who rated their confidence in managing side effects of systemic therapy as “good” or “excellent” increased from 30.4% to 72.7% (p < 0.05).
These results suggest that U-COPE is an effective model for improving the quality of oncology care through physician education — particularly during wartime and humanitarian crises.
“In Ukraine, many challenges in improving cancer care are linked to gaps in medical education,” explained Dr. Mariana Kuryk, co-author of the study and U-COPE co-organizer. “The war has made learning even more difficult — with blackouts, air raids, and constant stress. There are also barriers to studying abroad, such as financial limitations, logistics, and language. U-COPE was designed to overcome these obstacles and tailor education to the realities of Ukrainian oncology practice. We succeeded in creating a model that significantly improved physicians’ knowledge, understanding, and confidence in patient management.”
All sessions are now available on GMKA’s official YouTube channel, making the course accessible to physicians in Ukraine and beyond.
ESMO: A Global Platform for Oncology Knowledge
Participation in ESMO allowed GMKA to share U-COPE results with the international oncology community, engage with leading experts, and establish professional connections with colleagues around the world.
“Many attendees were very interested in GMKA’s initiative,” said Dr. Mariana Kuryk. “Colleagues from Eastern Europe and the Middle East, looking for effective ways to improve cancer care in their countries, expressed interest in developing similar programs. They were especially impressed that the curriculum was based on the actual needs of Ukrainian physicians. It demonstrates that even in wartime, Ukraine’s medical community continues to grow, share knowledge, and stay aligned with global best practices.”
| Co-authors of the study and poster presentation “Ukraine Clinical Oncology Project ECHO (U-COPE): an Effective Model for Improving the Quality of Cancer Care During Wartime” include: Mariana Kuryk, MD; Yuliia Novytska, MD; Olha Kostenchak-Svystak, MD, PhD; Daryna Khoptar, MD; Inesa Huivaniuk, MD, MPA; Ellen Baker, MD, MPH; Melissa Lopez Varon, MD, PhD, MS; Reina Guerrero; Nelya Melnitchouk, MD, MSc, FACS; and Darya Kizub, MD. |