The mission of the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) is to conduct academically driven, clinical-translational cancer research at the highest international level.
 
The NCT's goal is to significantly improve the treatment outcomes and quality of life of cancer patients. This goal is to be achieved by efficiently translating innovative preclinical discoveries and developments into clinical applications. The NCT builds sustainable structures, bundles existing national potential and thus creates synergies that drive the transfer of innovations into patient care, the healthcare system, the economy and society.
 
By establishing academic research platforms and expanding oncology profiles at each NCT site, the NCT not only generates special expertise, but also reaches patients throughout Germany as a national center with six sites. Special attention is paid to personalized oncology, the involvement of patients as research partners, rapid and equal access for patients to clinical trials and innovations in diagnostics and therapy, and the training of future generations of leading clinical cancer researchers.