[Cancer research at the transition from bench to bedside]

Despite great advances in basic oncology research, the situation in clinical oncology continues to be dissatisfying. Reasons for this include a lack of highly effective and specific types of treatment, late diagnosis of cancers (i. e., in advanced stages) and poor translation of new research results into clinical practice. BASIC SITUATION: Knowledge in cancer research has grown exponentially over the past 2 decades. While our understanding of cancer development at the molecular level continues to improve, the actual transfer of these findings into practice is lagging behind today's possibilities. Examples from the German Cancer Research Center ("Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum" [DKFZ]) and numerous other research institutes show that novel approaches in diagnostics and therapy do exist.

To close the gap between basic research and clinical practice, completely new organizational forms in oncology are needed. Intelligent models of integrated care of tumor patients shaped after US Comprehensive Cancer Centers may lead to fundamental improvements in clinical oncology, opening up a way to closely interlock research and clinical practice in order to create synergies for both sides. Such models are currently being established in different places in Germany, with the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg occupying a special place due to its affiliation with the German Cancer Research Center. Moreover, collaboration with industry engaged in research needs to be intensified in order to advance new approaches in research to market readiness.

Cancer medicine of the future will be more specific, more individual and more interdisciplinary than it is today. Cancer research, clinical oncology and industry engaged in research need to join forces in a strong alliance for the transfer of scientific findings into clinical application.