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On April 24, the Investigator-Initiated Trials (IIT) Forum of the NCT Heidelberg brought together approximately 150 researchers, clinicians, staff from trial support units, and patient representatives at the Communication Center of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) to discuss funding opportunities, structural frameworks, and practical experiences with NCT-funded IITs.

Stefan Fröhling, Executive Director at NCT Heidelberg and Head of the Department of Translational Medical Oncology at the DKFZ, opened the event and presented the development of the NCT with six sites since 2023 and the central goals of the Overarching Clinical Translational Trial (OCT²) program. In the subsequent specialized presentations, Richard Schlenk, Guy Ungerechts, and Keno März, as heads of the Clinical Trial Center at NCT Heidelberg, provided a deeper introduction to the program and described funding conditions, processes, current developments, support structures, and activities in the field of digital oncology. Michael Platten, Head of the Clinical Cooperation Unit for Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology and Director of the Department of Neurology at Mannheim University Medical Center, presented concrete experiences from the planning and review of the STAR-VACC study. Stefan Fröhling and Richard Schlenk outlined the path to the RATIONALE study and discussed challenges and success factors in the implementation of IITs within the NCT’s OCT² program.

Another focus was on the active involvement of patients in clinical research. Monika Huber and Cindy Körner demonstrated, from the perspective of the NCT Heidelberg Patient Research Council, how patients can be systematically involved in the development of clinical trials.

Training and continuing education opportunities were also part of the program: Stefanie Zschäbitz, from Heidelberg University Hospital and NCT Heidelberg, presented relevant opportunities in the field of clinical trials at NCT Heidelberg as well as in national and international contexts. Maximilian Schönung, from the DKFZ, reported on a study concept he developed as an NCT Heidelberg Fellow.

Following this, trial support units presented their information booths in pitch presentations lasting exactly two minutes against the clock. The approximately 20 information booths then provided space in the foyer for a wide range of direct exchanges: participants were able to engage in in-depth discussions with representatives of the institutions and establish new contacts.

With the IIT Forum, the NCT Heidelberg underscores its approach to strengthening clinical research across locations in the spirit of “One NCT” and to providing targeted support to researchers and clinicians in the development of IITs. The event showcased the breadth of existing offerings in Heidelberg and provided an outstanding opportunity for exchange and networking within the oncology research landscape.

Picture source: Sabine Arndt