About the conference

HARPOON is organized by the DKFZ/NCT/DKTK MASTER-team of the NCT Heidelberg and is intended to provide a platform for exchange and networking and to foster interaction between the One NCT, the DKTK, and other networks. We expect highlight talks on pioneering precision oncology activities, including recent developments in multiomics data analysis (e.g., by artificial intelligence) as well as forward and reverse translation, underlining the central role of multidimensional tumor characterization as fuel for innovative clinical trials and scientific discovery.

As the program continues to evolve in response to current developments, it does not only feature cutting-edge research highlights, but since 2024 also includes several special elements, such as a presentation from patients involved in applied cancer research and insights from journal editors on scientific publishing in the precision oncology field.

Target audience

Everyone involved in multiomics-guided precision oncology and molecular tumor boards (bioinformaticians, clinical / medical trialists, data scientists, human geneticists, molecular biologists, oncologists, pathologists, patient advocates)
 

How can precision oncology be further developed collaboratively—across disciplines, institutions, and national borders? Answers to this question were provided at the 6th DKFZ/NCT/DKTK HARPOON Symposium at the Heidelberg Congress Center. Organized by the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg in cooperation with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), One NCT, and the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), the event brought together around 170 participants from all over Germany as well as from France, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The symposium had an interdisciplinary focus: clinicians, biologists, bioinformaticians, and data specialists contributed their perspectives, as did representatives of patient organizations and partners from industry. In terms of content, HARPOON focused on several specific areas: patients from Ultra Rare Sarcoma e.V., who are involved in applied cancer research, provided insights into their work and presented their vision of a patient-initiated biobank.

Other program highlights included insights from journal editors into the scientific publication process in precision oncology, the Legacy Lecture by Peter Lichter, Department of Molecular Genetics at the DKFZ and Managing Director at the NCT Heidelberg, and six short talks by selected young scientists. A new feature was the targeted promotion of young scientists: for the first time, HARPOON awarded travel grants to talented young researchers. This initiative was supported by the Monika Kutzner Foundation.

The program included ample time for discussions and personal exchanges. This allowed participants from different areas of precision oncology to engage in conversation with each other, establish new contacts, and deepen existing ones. HARPOON thus once again established itself as a networking platform, especially between initiatives in the NCT and DKTK environment. The growing response was reflected in the number of participants: after 150 participants last year, around 170 people took part this year.

Stefan Fröhling, Executive Director at NCT Heidelberg and Head of the Department of Translational Medical Oncology at DKFZ, says about the special character of the event: "What distinguishes HARPOON is its multidisciplinary, cross-location, and cross-institutional approach: As a joint initiative of DKFZ, DKTK, and NCT, the symposium brings together clinicians, researchers, data experts, representatives of patient organizations, and partners from industry to discuss current concepts and initiate new collaborations."

Following consistently positive feedback, planning for HARPOON 2026 has already begun. The symposium takes place again in November in Heidelberg.