The Artemis Project: A patient-led global research consortium advancing prevention-focused breast cancer innovation

Purpose: The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC), established in 1991, is a collaboration of activists, survivors, grassroots groups and national organizations united to end breast cancer through action and advocacy. Despite progress in certain areas, neither breast cancer incidence nor global mortality have significantly declined. In response, NBCC launched the Artemis Project in 2010, an advocate-led initiative focused on primary prevention of breast cancer and prevention of metastasis, designed to foster new collaborations among researchers and advocates. The project is a response to the fact that despite billions of dollars invested in research that has led to some effective treatments, we still do not know how to prevent or cure breast cancer. Artemis process: The Artemis Project is a collaboration to identify urgent gaps, set milestones, and co-develop research solutions to primary and metastasis prevention. Unlike traditional research development pipelines, Artemis integrates trained patient advocates as equal partners in priority setting, research design and oversight. Advocates identify the participants and choose the issues. Collaborations form at the annual meeting among researchers and advocates who often would not have met otherwise.The annual Artemis meeting brings participants together to explore new ideas, develop innovative projects towards Artemis's goals, and outline work plans for 12-18 months after the meeting. Online meetings are held throughout the year for the groups to interact and to report progress. Seed funding for some projects has been provided by NBCC. NBCC schedules webinars throughout the year on relevant topics for Artemis participants. Selected Artemis outcomes: The first Artemis project led to an ongoing initiative to develop a breast cancer prevention vaccine, with a plan in place to move to a Phase I trial by mid-2026. The vaccine, consisting of 6 self-antigens overexpressed in breast cancer, is being developed under a contract with the NCI Prevent Program. DNA Land, an effort stemming from another Artemis project, has recruited over 33,000 individuals who have consented and contributed genomic and matched phenotypic data to underpin bioinformatics studies supporting prevention-focused breast cancer research.Additionally, researchers participating in Artemis have formed many collaborations that have grown into externally funded research efforts, including a project to eliminate disseminated tumor cells. Conclusions: Now 15 years in, the Artemis Project has created a durable, advocate-led ecosystem that unites researchers, clinicians, and advocates to pursue transformative prevention solutions rather than incremental advances. This model is adaptable across disease research areas.