The OECI Network

Presentation of the Center

The University Cancer Center (UCT) Frankfurt was established in 2008 as a collaboration between the Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt and the Nordwest Hospital. It holds the title “Oncology Center of Excellence” by the German Cancer Aid and focuses on five key areas: multidisciplinary patient care, translational cancer research, education, outreach, and patient engagement. Since 2019, the UCT includes the University Hospital Marburg, forming a Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium. Under the leadership of the UCT, the ONCOnnect consortium aims to improve the local outreach of all comprehensive cancer centers in Germany to ensure the best possible treatment for cancer patients close to their home.

Main Research Activities

The UCT aims to transform molecular data into new cancer treatments and conduct practice-changing clinical trials. Its five interdisciplinary research programs focus on molecular diagnostics and biomarker discovery, molecular mechanisms of cancer, preclinical models, drug development & novel therapeutic approaches, and clinical trials & outcome research. UCT Frankfurt is also a partner in the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK).

Core Facilities

UCT members have access to advanced core facilities, including cancer databases, biomaterial collections and organoid biobanks, bioinformatics, as well as clinical trial resources. Shared resources include high-end imaging, genetic screening facilities, and a GMP facility for cell therapeutics.

Education

The UCT offers interdisciplinary training for medical students, doctors, and nurses and supports young researchers such as clinician scientists or junior group leaders through various programs like the Mildred Scheel Career Center.

Description of the centre and its history

Established in 2014, the Comprehensive Cancer Center Munich (CCC Munich) is a German Cancer Aid designated Center of Excellence in Oncology. It aligns two university hospitals, the LMU Klinikum and the TUM Klinikum. This successful collaboration has resulted in well-established synergistic structures for cutting edge cancer care, excellent high-level research, outreach and education.

Main research activities

The CCC Munich has greatly expanded its expertise in the field of prevention, patient-oriented research, new medical technologies in precision medicine, molecular stratification/therapy, and immune-oncology. Ares of expertise are supported by multidisciplinary programs for bi-directional translation, proof-of-concept studies, and clinical research programs. These focus areas are further strengthened by a dedicated infrastructure for data management/artificial intelligence.

Core Facilities

An excellent and broad ranging spectrum of techniques, specialized centers and equipment is provided such as: phase I/II units, a clinical trial center, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, translational cancer research, a Center of Organoid Systems and Tissue Engineering, facilities for bioimaging and bioinformatics and a GMP Facility.

Education

With the aim of improving access to education and training at the highest academic level, the CCC Munich offers numerous education and qualification programs for the general population, patients, students and HCPs.

Presentation of the Centre

The Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF) aims to significantly improve the care of all cancer patients in Bavaria, a state in the southeast of Germany. In the BZKF the six Bavarian University Hospitals, their respective Universities as well as their associated Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCC) have joined forces to form a strong network. The six sites in Augsburg, Erlangen, Munich (Ludwig-Maximilians-University and Technical University of Munich), Regensburg and Würzburg are closely working together, sharing their expertise, findings and resources.

Main research activities and core facilities

The BZKF has been pursuing the goal of translating innovative therapeutic approaches from cancer research into rapid clinical application. Here lies a focus on conducting clinical trials and studies collectively across all six sites in Bavaria, supported by a joint BZKF study contract template. To this end, clinical trials and studies on numerous tumor entities have been established, providing patients access to the best possible, newest and innovative therapies. The structures created within the BZKF also enable us to optimally interact with pharmaceutical as well as medical device industries, strengthening Bavaria as a location for business and innovation. In addition to developing new treatment methods for cancer, the BZKF also focus on cancer prevention, diagnostics, therapy and public information. The free telephone service PublicCancerHotline for example, helps those affected with questions on the subject of cancer. Together, the BZKF supports every step from bench to bedside, enabling patients to receive the best possible care.