Cancer research explained simply
- Cancer research aims to better understand and combat cancer. Researchers investigate how tumours develop, how cancer can be detected early and how therapies can become more targeted.
- From laboratory experiments to clinical trials, many experts work together. In several phases, new knowledge is translated step by step into effective treatments and diagnostics.
- Safety, ethics and quality are always at the forefront. Every study is rigorously reviewed, and new therapies are only used if there is convincing evidence of their effectiveness.
What is cancer research?
Cancer research deals with all questions relating to the development, detection, treatment and prevention of cancer.
Goals of cancer research:
- Scientists try to understand exactly what happens in the body when cells become malignant, divide uncontrollably and form tumours.
- They discover the causes of cancer – for example, they try to understand the roles played by our genetic makeup, our immune system, or external influences such as lifestyle and environmental factors.
- At the same time, researchers are developing and investigating new ways to detect cancer at an early stage, treat it more effectively and reduce side effects.
- Considerations for the quality of life of patients also play a crucial role.
To ensure that new findings gradually lead to better therapies, many disciplines are working closely together in the following areas of research:
- Basic research: This involves understanding the biological fundamentals – in other words, what happens in cells when they transform into tumour cells. These findings form the basis for new forms of diagnosis and therapy.
- Translational research: This transfers the results of basic research into practice – for example, by researching new drugs or therapeutic procedures.
- Applied research: Here, researchers use scientific methods to work directly on practical solutions, such as better diagnostic devices or gentler treatment methods.
How is cancer researched?
Cancer research is teamwork: experts with diverse backgrounds in medicine, the natural sciences, computer science and many other areas work hand in hand. They research cancer from different angles – from the smallest cellular processes in the laboratory to studies with patients.
Laboratory and preclinical research
Before new drugs or therapies are tested on humans, they must be tested in the laboratory for their efficacy and safety.
To do this, researchers use:
- Cell cultures: Cancer cells are examined "in a test tube". This allows scientists to see how they grow, react and change.
- Animal models: Here, for example, tests are carried out to see how an active substance behaves in a whole living organism – such as in mice. These studies provide important information about possible dosages, effects and side effects.
Computer models are also becoming increasingly important and can sometimes replace animal testing.
In clinical trials, researchers investigate whether a treatment is safe and effective in humans. Participants are closely monitored by doctors. The clinical testing of a procedure or drug takes place in several phases:
- Phase I trial – tests a new active substance or a new therapy for the first time on a small group of people. The main aim is to find out whether the treatment is safe and well tolerated.
- Phase II trial – tests whether a new therapy is effective and how new substances should best be dosed. Researchers look for a dose that is sufficiently effective but causes as few side effects as possible. Such trials usually involve approximately 50 to 200 patients.
- Phase III trial – checks how effective a new drug or treatment is. The new therapy is compared with the current standard treatment (control group) – experts refer to this as a "controlled trial". Safety is also reassessed. Such trials with hundreds to thousands of participants are necessary to obtain approval for a new drug.
- Phase IV study – further investigates an already approved drug while it is being used in everyday practice. The aim is to identify rare side effects or interactions with other drugs. Many different patients are included to test the safety of the treatment under real-life conditions.
All studies follow strict legal and ethical guidelines. An independent ethics committee reviews whether the study is safe and responsible.
Epidemiological research
In addition to laboratory research and clinical research, epidemiology also plays an important role.
This involves observing large population groups over a longer period. The aim is to find answers to the following questions:
- Which lifestyle habits, environmental factors or occupational risks increase the likelihood of developing cancer?
- Which factors may protect against cancer?
Such studies provide valuable insights into correlations, for example, between smoking and lung cancer or between exercise and a lower risk of cancer.
However, only other, non-epidemiological studies such as laboratory research can provide evidence of causes.
Where is cancer research conducted?
In Germany, many institutions conduct joint research involving science, medicine and industry:
- universities and clinics
- research centres such as the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) in Heidelberg
- federal institutes such as the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) with its Centre for Cancer Registry Data (ZfKD), the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) and the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)
- the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries, often in collaboration with research institutions
Who finances cancer research?
Cancer research is expensive – it requires modern laboratories, highly specialised equipment and many dedicated professionals. Research must be funded to generate new findings, and this financial support comes from various sources.
Public funding
A large proportion of the funding comes from the state.
The federal and state governments support research projects at universities, clinics and research centres.
The most important sources of funding include:
- the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)
- the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG)
- the European Union (EU)
For the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), funding is provided through institutional funding. This means that the participating institutions receive continuous funding from the federal and state governments — not just for individual projects, but on a long-term basis.
Scientific organisations and foundations
Many projects are also funded by independent organisations, including the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Cancer Aid Foundation. Private foundations and donations also make an important contribution.
Industry and contract research
Pharmaceutical companies and the medical technology industry also invest in research, especially when it comes to developing new drugs or devices.
In the final stages of drug development, shortly before market launch, the financial resources often come from the manufacturers themselves.
How are patient safety and ethical standards ensured?
Every cancer study – whether in the laboratory or with volunteers – must meet high ethical and legal requirements.
That is why there are strict rules in place worldwide: they are designed to ensure that studies are planned, conducted and evaluated responsibly.
This applies to both medical safety and the dignity and well-being of participants.
The role of the ethics committee
Before a clinical study can begin, it must be approved by an independent ethics committee.
The committee checks:
- Is the study legally permissible?
- Are the potential risks to participants acceptable?
- Is the research team conducting themselves responsibly?
Each region has its own ethics committee, usually based at medical schools or medical associations. These committees are made up of experts from the fields of medicine, law, ethics and social sciences. Without their approval, no clinical research involving humans may be conducted in Germany.
Good clinical practice (GCP)
The Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines are international standards for conducting clinical trials. They specify exactly how trials must be planned, documented and monitored.
The aim is to ensure that:
- The data is reliable and comparable.
- Studies are conducted transparently.
- The safety of participants is always guaranteed.
The Helsinki Declaration
The Declaration of Helsinki is the most important international set of rules for medical research involving human subjects.
It was adopted by the World Medical Association (WMA) in 1964 and has been regularly updated since.
Using the Declaration of Helsinki as a framework, doctors worldwide commit to putting the welfare, safety and dignity of study participants above all other interests.
After the study: What happens to the results?
Once a study is complete, a particularly important step begins: the evaluation and publication of the results. This is the only way other experts can review, understand and reuse the findings.
From data set to insight
All data collected during the study – for example, on efficacy, side effects or quality of life – is carefully evaluated. Researchers ensure that the results are statistically reliable and not the result of chance.
Quality assurance by experts
Before researchers can publish their scientific work, it undergoes a peer review process. During this process, other independent experts check whether the study was conducted using correct methodology and whether the conclusions are comprehensible.
Only after going through peer review, the results are published in specialist journals. This ensures that only high-quality, verified information is made publicly available.
Safety even after approval
New drugs continue to be monitored even after they have been launched on the market – this is known as pharmacovigilance.
Doctors, pharmacy staff and even patients themselves report possible side effects to the medicines authorities (EMA). This allows rare or delayed risks to be identified.
- Patients can report suspected cases directly online via the federal government's online side effect reporting portal.
How do research findings become standard treatment?
It is a long road before a new therapy reaches cancer medicine. There are many steps and many different professional groups working together. From basic research and epidemiological studies to clinical trials, hospitals, surgeries and beyond – many experts come together with the aim of creating new treatments which are safe, effective and suitable for everyday use.
Guidelines as guidance for doctors
Scientific guidelines summarise the current state of clinical research. They show which diagnostic and therapeutic procedures have proven themselves in studies.
For cancer, these guidelines are developed in Germany by the Association of Scientific Medical Societies (AWMF) in collaboration with the German Cancer Society and the German Cancer Aid Foundation, among others.
Guidelines help doctors to treat patients according to the latest scientific findings.
Sources
This text is based on sources and information from the text How is cancer researched? by the Cancer Information Service at the German Cancer Research Centre.