Why it is Critical
Oncology is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this field, scientific research is the key tool for understanding the disease and developing increasingly effective therapies for complex conditions such as cancer.
Thanks to advances in research, cancer is less daunting today: many patients live with the disease for extended periods or achieve full recovery, even in forms once considered incurable. Major innovations include molecular targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and CAR-T cell therapies, which enable immune cells to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Research extends beyond the laboratory: patients can participate in clinical trials, which provide safe access to innovative drugs and treatments before official approval. Each stage of research is conducted in full compliance with ethical, scientific, and regulatory standards, under the supervision of the relevant authorities.
At least five types of cancer research can be distinguished, based on the goals pursued and the type of experiments conducted.
Epidemiological Research
Epidemiological research in oncology studies the distribution, frequency, and determinants of cancer within a population. Its aim is to identifying risk factors, evaluate the effectiveness of prevention and early detection strategies, and support the planning of cancer control measures.
Key objectives include:
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Identifying risk factors: Determining the causes of cancer, such as exposure to tobacco smoke, carcinogenic agents, and other lifestyle- or habit-related factors.
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Assessing prevention and early detection: Evaluating the effectiveness of screening programs and other preventive strategies for the early diagnosis of cancer.
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Planning interventions: Providing evidence to design targeted public health initiatives aimed at reducing cancer incidence, such as anti-smoking campaigns or environmental protection measures.
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Analyzing public health impact: Understanding the broader impact of cancer on society, including social and healthcare costs.
Basic Research
Basic research, also called pure or fundamental research, is experimental or theoretical work aimed at expanding scientific knowledge without an immediate therapeutic goal.
In medicine, basic research forms the foundation for all discoveries, investigating the mechanisms of cellular function and biological processes, often using biochemical, physical, or cellular models.
In oncology, basic research has enabled the identification of genetic alterations responsible for the uncontrolled growth of tumor cells—known as molecular targets—which have paved the way for many of today’s most innovative therapies.
Studies initially conducted for other purposes often lead to unexpected findings, opening new avenues for therapeutic development and advancing cancer treatment strategies.
Preclinical Research
Preclinical research is conducted before testing new therapies in humans and aims to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of new molecules or treatments.
Any substance with potential therapeutic activity is first tested in vitro (in cell cultures) and then in vivo (in animal models) to study its effects within a complex organism.
This phase allows researchers to understand how a molecule is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated, as well as to determine its toxicity and the most appropriate route of administration.
All preclinical testing is conducted according to strict international standards, known as Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), to ensure reliable results that can serve as a foundation for subsequent clinical studies in humans.
Translational Research
Translational research encompasses the entire process of moving a basic scientific discovery into clinical application, often including the preclinical phase.
Its goal is to transform findings from basic research into clinically useful applications for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer—a process often summarised by the phrase “from bench to bedside”.
This type of research helps reduce the time between scientific discovery and its practical application in medicine. While basic research generates new knowledge rapidly, translating these findings into effective therapies can take years. Translational research accelerates this process, enabling continuous updates to therapeutic strategies and the timely introduction of innovative approaches into clinical practice.
A key feature of translational research is its bidirectional nature: patients are not only the recipients of new therapies but also a valuable source of information for research. Clinical observations, treatment responses, and unmet patient needs can generate new hypotheses and guide further studies and clinical trials.
Translational research requires close collaboration between laboratory scientists and clinicians to turn scientific results into tangible benefits for patients
Clinical Research
Clinical research studies and evaluates the effectiveness and safety of new diagnostic procedures or therapies in humans. It can be divided into two main categories:
- Observational studies: Collect data on interventions already used in clinical practice to analyze their effects.
- Experimental (interventional) studies: Assess new therapies, drugs, or devices to determine their safety, efficacy, and potential advantages over existing treatments.
All clinical studies involves voluntary patient participation, after signing an informed consent form, which protects privacy and ensures a free and informed choice.
According to guidance from AIFA (Italian Medicines Agency), clinical research is conducted in four main phases:
- Phase 1: initial assessment of a drug’s safety and tolerability in a limited number of volunteers or patients.
- Phase 2: evaluation of therapeutic activity and determination of the optimal dosage in a small group of patients. When feasible, a placebo (a substance with no therapeutic effect) may be used to compare results and objectively assess the effect of the investigational drug.
- Phase 3: confirmation of treatment effectiveness in a larger number of patients, often through randomised controlled clinical trials, in which participants are randomly assigned to receive either the new drug or a comparator treatment. This method provides scientifically reliable results while minimizing potential bias.
- Phase 4: post-approval monitoring (post-marketing surveillance) to collect data on long-term effects and on the drug’s use in the general population.