Translational research in prognostic profiling in colorectal cancer

There is a widening gap between basic research and clinical practice, particularly for colorectal cancer. In recent years, many have expressed concerns regarding the disconnection between the promises of basic science and the delivery of better individual health. In this paper we describe some of our research in serum proteomics, microarrays and minimal residual disease dedicated to this field and discuss some of the roadblocks ahead in translational research. We conclude that translational medicine should be a collective effort for the medical community as a whole with adequate financial support and sound, measurable outcome. Since extensive validation of the above mentioned research fields is necessary, adequate funding is required. This may require some adjustments in the current funding policy because it involves non-innovative studies. Furthermore, the pool of researchers/clinicians capable of performing translational research must be increased. Additionally, there should be an enhanced participation of patients in clinical trials and an optimization of the efficiency of these trials using validated surrogate markers. Only when these conditions are fulfilled will the 'post-genomic; era of biomedical research have unprecedented opportunities to innovate and improve therapy for cancer.