TRANSFORMING FRACTURE RISK
ASSESSMENT FOR CANCER PATIENTS
WITH VERTEBRAL METASTASES
Computer-aided effective fracture risk stratification of patients with vertebral metastases for personalised treatment through robust computational models validated in clinical settings

METASTRA Celebrates Women Transforming Cancer Care Through Computational Biomechanics

METASTRA Celebrates Women Transforming Cancer Care Through Computational Biomechanics

This International Day of Women and Girls in Science, METASTRA recognises the scientists who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in cancer care.

METASTRA is transforming the assessment of fracture risk in cancer patients with vertebral metastases. When cancer spreads to the spine, patients face agonising uncertainty: whether to undergo invasive surgery or risk a debilitating fracture. Our project is developing AI-driven and physiology-based computational models that move beyond subjective scoring systems to provide precise, personalised fracture risk assessments.

This work brings together biomechanics experts, AI researchers, oncologists, computational modellers, and clinical specialists from 15 partners across Europe. It is interdisciplinary science at its finest, addressing a challenge that affects approximately 2.7 million people in Europe. Women scientists are integral to every aspect of this research, contributing expertise in computational modelling, experimental biomechanics, medical imaging, artificial intelligence, and clinical oncology.

Through our Decision Support System, we aim to help clinicians make data-driven treatment decisions, potentially reducing uncertain diagnoses from 60% to just 20% of cases. This means better outcomes for patients, fewer unnecessary surgeries, and more targeted interventions for those who truly need them.

To every woman in science advancing computational modelling, medical AI, biomechanics, and oncology: your work is reshaping patient care and saving lives.

To young women exploring careers in computational medicine and interdisciplinary research: your contributions are essential to solving the complex challenges at the intersection of engineering, medicine, and data science.