The aim of the ONCOnnect joint project is to improve care for cancer patients close to their homes throughout Germany. Oncology Center of Excellence (Comprehensive Cancer Centers, CCCs), the National Cancer Prevention Center Heidelberg and patient representatives are cooperating in this project. German Cancer Aid is funding ONCOnnect with 13.8 million euros over a period of three years. Over 120 participants met at the University Medical Center Frankfurt for the presence kick-off meeting. The meeting focused on networking between the partners and the presentation of initial results.

ONCOnnect aims to achieve stronger networking between the CCCs and with the treatment partners in the respective region. To this end, transferable and scalable best-practice models in five fields of action are being developed at 26 university CCC locations:

• Prevention and early detection: a digital platform for quality-assured information materials is being created. In addition, specific prevention projects are being implemented in the professional environment. These measures also involve occupational health management and the company's communication channels.
• Patient participation: Development of information and support services for those affected and their relatives. The development of a curriculum for a Germany-wide patient competence college is also planned.
• Clinical studies: Expansion of activity in the regional oncology study networks. Cancer patients should be offered the opportunity to access clinical trials closer to home.
• Quality assurance: Improving cooperation between the CCCs and the state cancer registries and the further development of video tumor boards. In addition, the support services that cancer patients really need will be evaluated.
• Digitalization of outreach: Development of a platform for digital tools and cross-sector networking in the care context.

Christian Brandts, ONCOnnect spokesperson and Director of the University Center for Tumor Diseases (UCT) Frankfurt, says: “The discussion of the initial results of the task forces and the constructive exchange with all project partners have shown how much potential there is in networking the centers of excellence in oncology. With ONCOnnect, we want to exploit this potential by promoting the exchange of knowledge and experience between the centers of excellence in oncology and thus sustainably improve patient care in Germany.”

As a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the NCT Heidelberg works together with other ONCOnnect partners in the field of clinical trials and identifies opportunities to establish and expand regional oncology trial networks. To date, the study infrastructure of the CCCs in Germany has been very heterogeneous, particularly with regard to regional networking with cooperation partners. By involving existing cooperation partners and potential new partners of the centers, the first step is to use an online survey to obtain information on the existing study structures and the partners' wishes for improvement.

Together, the aim is to identify possible structural, information and supply bottlenecks and to improve study activity within the regional networks by developing and evaluating tailored measures. Successful measures will ultimately be rolled out across Germany so that as many cancer patients as possible in Germany, regardless of where they live, can gain access to innovative clinical trials and treatments.

Image information:
Launch of the ONCOnnect joint project at the University Medical Center Frankfurt: The project members are working together to provide the best possible nationwide care for cancer patients in Germany. (Source: University Medicine Frankfurt).