The three components of cancer research

1. Fundamental research

Fundamental research investigates the foundation of biology and basic cell mechanisms, aiming to generate new knowledge. It is hard to predict whether fundamental research will lead to concrete results that will contribute to improvements in cancer treatment or diagnosis, but the results of basic research into the development and behavior of cancer, lie at the foundation of further progress. One recent example is immunotherapy, a treatment in which the body's own immune system is activated to fight cancer. More than twenty years of fundamental research eventually led to this treatment form.

2. Translational research

Translational research is the link between fundamental and clinical research. During this phase, insights gathered through fundamental research is further developed into new treatment methods or diagnostics that can be tested at the hospital. Researchers and clinicians closely collaborate during this stage, and we use biological samples and patient data. At the Netherlands Cancer Institute, we maintain a strong link between translational research and the clinic. Physicians and researchers closely collaborate at the lab and can easily access biological materials or patient data. Any questions from the hospital can immediately be picked up by researchers. That makes our research at the Netherlands Cancer Institute truly innovative and groundbreaking. 

3. Clinical research

Clinical research aims to develop better diagnostics and treatment methods. All new knowledge and findings from translational research are adapted to and tested on a group of patients by means of a clinical trial. We conduct clinical research in a variety of areas. Current topics include immunotherapy, image guided therapy, and precision medicine.