Turning laboratory findings into therapy: a marathon goal that has to be reached

The mission of translational research involves difficult tasks to be accomplished for its ultimate goal, i.e., the introduction of novel, effective therapeutic strategies in the clinic to diminish human suffering and cure life-threatening diseases. Translational research (also referred to as translational medicine) facilitates the translation of investment in biomedical research into successful medical treatment. This includes the transfer of diagnostic and therapeutic advances by proving their efficacy in large evidence-based trials. Through the study of humans novel insights about disease are brought back to the laboratory to identify new, observation-based strategies. This "two-way road" ("bench to bedside and bedside to bench") process includes formulating guidelines for drug development and principles for new therapeutic strategies; initiating clinical investigations that provide the biological basis for new therapies, and related clinical trials; defining therapeutic targets and clinical endpoints. It requires a systematic approach beginning with specimen sampling, patient data collection, laboratory investigations, data analysis, preclinical testing, clinical trials, treatment efficacy monitoring, and finally the evaluation of therapeutic result. The marathon well symbolizes the enormous efforts undertaken by clinicians, scientists, regulators, ethicists, patient advocates, drug developers, and others, coordinately attempting to overcome obstacles along this road toward the final "marathon goal in medicine".