NCT Heidelberg

NCT Heidelberg – Facts and Figures

The NCT Heidelberg is a joint institution of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the Heidelberg University Hospital and the German Cancer Aid. As Germany's first Comprehensive Cancer Center and Oncological Center of Excellence, the NCT combines excellence in research with interdisciplinary patient care under one roof.

The NCT acts as a central portal for all cancer patients of the Heidelberg University Hospital and is the clinical platform for translational projects and studies of the DKFZ.

Aim

We want to translate promising concepts from cancer research into patient care and cancer prevention, in order to stimulate studies and to develop new treatment and prevention strategies. The aim is to develop an individualized cancer medicine with targeted therapies for each individual patient.

History

2022: For the fifth time awarded Oncological Center of Excellence by DKH
2020: Announcement of the new NCT locations: Berlin, Cologne / Essen, Tübingen / Stuttgart-Ulm and Würzburg with the partners Erlangen, Regensburg and Augsburg
2020: Start of tender for further NCT locations
2019: Start expansion and new construction of NCT building
2018: For the fourth time awarded Oncological Center of Excellence by DKH
2016: For the third time awarded as “Selbsthilfefreundliches Krankenhaus” (“patient-oriented hospital”)
2015: Start build-up NCT partner site in Dresden; Start of a new funding program with federal funds to strengthen specific cancer research programs (NCT 3.0)
2013: Project launch NCT DataThereHouse
2012: For the first time awarded as “Selbsthilfefreundliches Krankenhaus” (“patient-oriented hospital”)
2010: Move to the new NCT building
2009: Launch NCT Tissue Bank
2006: Launch NCT Trial Center
2006: Launch NCT Cancer Registry
2006: First time awarded Oncological Center of Excellence by German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe - DKH)
2005: Start of the first Tumor board
2004: Launch and start of clinical operation

Patient care

  • Central portal for all cancer patients of the Heidelberg University Hospital
  • >20 % patients come from a radius of over 100 km
  • >60,000 patient visits per year during consultation
  • >20,000 systemic therapies per year
  • 15,000 patient visits for an initial appointment
  • 60 outpatient treatment spaces
  • Specialized oncological advice and information services, and self-help
Conversation between physician and patient

Clinical Trials

  • Currently around 500 oncological clinical studies and Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs)
  • >40% of all NCT patients are involved in clinical studies

Research

Staff in the laboratory

Center-wide program for precision oncology with the aim of providing individual cancer medicine in areas such as genomics, proteomics, imaging, radiation therapy, immunology and prevention.

NCT translational research focuses in the areas of clinical discovery, molecular diagnostics, immunotherapy, integrative radiation oncology, cancer prevention, early detection and outcome.

As part of the expansion concept NCT 3.0 the following areas in Heidelberg will be extended and strengthened

  • Molecular stratification
  • Immunotherapy
  • Radio-oncology
  • Cancer screening, prevention and progression studies
  • Neurooncology, tumors of the gastrointestinal tracts and pediatric tumors
  • Molecular pathology
  • Oncological imaging

Quality

  • Evidence-based guidelines for diagnostics, therapy and post-therapy
  • >30 interdisciplinary tumor boards (daily)
  • Central units: NCT Cancer Registry, NCT Trial Center, NCT Tissue and Biobank

Staff

> 500 scientists, physicians and qualified scientific, clinical and administrative staff

Directorate

  • The board of directors of the NCT Heidelberg consists of representatives of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and representatives of the University Hospital Heidelberg (UKHD).
  • The executive board in Heidelberg consists of the executive directors (Prof. Dr. Dr. Amir Abdollahi, Prof. Dr. Stefan Fröhling, Prof. Dr. Dirk Jäger, Prof. Dr. Peter Lichter) and the administrative management of the NCT Heidelberg (Dr Karolin Willmund).