University hospitals in Leipzig and Jena are developing a joint oncological center of excellence

Leipzig. The University Hospital Leipzig (UKL) and the University Hospital Jena (UKJ) are planning to jointly develop one funded by the German Cancer Aid Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC). The partners have now signed a letter of intent. The University Cancer Center Leipzig (UCCL) at the UKL and the University Tumor Center (UTC) Jena together.

A CCC represents a top oncology center and is considered the highest level of certification in this area.

Both equal partners would like to take part in the 2021 tendering round and are working towards this goal on the basis of the declaration of intent that has now been signed. The project is to be entitled “Central German Cancer Center – Defeating Cancer Together.” be implemented.
“Right now we are seeing tremendous advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. This must be bundled and transferred to the care of patients in town and country,” says Prof. Florian Lordick, Director of the UCCL. Together with Prof. Andreas Hochhaus, spokesman for the UTC at the Jena University Hospital and President of the German Cancer Congress 2020, the oncological top center is being set up. Prof. Hochhaus emphasizes: "Our goal is that cancer patients who come from rural areas have the same treatment opportunities as those who are treated at a university hospital." It must be the task of such a center to make progress tangible and usable, adds Prof. Lordick.

The cooperation is intended to bring researchers, teachers and practitioners together in order to pool competencies and start joint projects and campaigns. For example, there will be a joint research day in March with the Leipzig Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI). There should be joint events in the training of students, scientists and medical specialists. Both university hospitals also bring their respective regional partners to the cooperation. Together you get a network of 80 partners, including hospitals, resident doctors, medical care centers, rehabilitation, hospice and palliative services or other cancer centers.

Mark Bien

Source: Leipzig University press release of January 17, 2020