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Five intensive days full of exchange, discussions, and joint concept work: With the first NCT Masterclass, the NCT School of Clinical Cancer Research launched a new, cross-location qualification format for clinical-translational oncology in January 2026. From January 12 to 16, 20 fellows from One NCT, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), and the network of Comprehensive Cancer Centers outside the six NCT locations came together in Eisenach to further develop innovative study ideas – in an interdisciplinary, practice-oriented manner and with a consistent focus on patients. In a competitive local selection process, Joscha Kraske and Maximilian Scheer from NCT Heidelberg qualified to participate in the Masterclass.

Accompanied by experienced mentors and experts, the participants worked intensively on their own study concepts, supplemented by keynote lectures, workshops on study design, statistics, budgeting, ethics, and regulatory issues, as well as direct exchanges with patient representatives.

Joscha Kraske, assistant physician in the Department of Medical Oncology at NCT Heidelberg, used the Masterclass specifically to further develop a study concept from his research group: “The preparation and implementation of clinical studies is complex. The Masterclass was a first-class opportunity to deepen my skills and critically refine the project together with experienced mentors.” He found the personal exchange and the realization that successful clinical studies always require teamwork and a resilient network particularly valuable.

The Masterclass also provided important inspiration for Maximilian Scheer, a specialist in neurosurgery at Heidelberg University Hospital: "The informal yet highly productive atmosphere and the mix of lectures, individual work, and expert advice were exceptional. It was also a very good opportunity to network with other NCT sites." In particular, he gained a deeper understanding of the NCT funding structures and the growing importance of patient participation and artificial intelligence in clinical trials.

The NCT Heidelberg was not only present on the participant side; other representatives of the NCT Heidelberg also actively contributed to the content of the Masterclass on site: Stefanie Zschäbitz and Carine Djuika, members of the local Education and Training Committee (ETC) and representatives in the national ETC, shared their experiences with studies as mentors; Cindy Körner, spokesperson for the Patient Research Council NCT Heidelberg and representative on the national NCT Patient Research Council, contributed the patient perspective, and Richard Schlenk, head of the Clinical Trials Center (CTC) NCT Heidelberg, held a session on trial design.

With the NCT Masterclass, the NCT is specifically strengthening the next generation of scientists and creating a network that will have an impact far beyond this week and this one-time meeting.

Images: André Wirsig

1 - Participants NCT Masterclass, 2 - Joscha Kraske, 3 - Maximilian Scheer