Full term evaluation of DCCC Radiotherapy: ‘A vibrant and comprehensive national network of collaboration operating at an internationally leading level’

Scientific evaluation panel. David Sebag-Montefiore (left), Marianne Grønlie Guren, DCCC RT director Cai Grau and Mechthild Krause.

As a first step, the national steering committee of DCCC RT and Director Cai Grau, deputy directors Stine Korreman and Jesper Grau Eriksen have written up an evaluation report, including examples and data on the networking activities and scientific results of the five-year term as well as the distribution of funds and organisation of the center.

Highlights of DCCC Radiotherapy 2019-2023

• 86 PhD students affiliated ​
• 588 scientific papers​ published from affiliated researchers
• 45 clinical intervention trials​
• 770 patients in clinical intervention trials
• 21 national networks and initiatives established incl.​
  • Quality assurance for clinical trials​
  • Implementation and development of new radiotherapy techniques (MR-linac, Proton therapy, FLASH)​
  • Artificial intelligence in radiotherapy​
  • Onco-cardiology​
  • Model-based selection for advanced treatments

The written evaluation was then followed up by a full-day evaluation visit on March 20 hosted at the Danish Cancer Society. The scientific results were evaluated by a scientific committee while the organisational aspects were evaluated by representatives from the Danish Cancer Society and Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center.

‘Through DCCC-RT a vibrant and comprehensive national network of collaboration with a strong focus on translational and clinical research of high clinical relevance has been established and is operating at an internationally leading level. The research activities include all relevant national tumour groups and involvement of all radiotherapy centers. The enthusiasm, motivation and impressive interdisciplinary collaborative team ethos of the DCCC-RT team was evident’ - Quote from the scientific evaluation

The international external panel for the Scientific evaluation

• David Sebag-Montefiore (Chair) - Audrey and Stanley Burton Professor of Clinical Oncology and Health Research, University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom
• Mechthild Krause - Professor for translational Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
• Marianne Grønlie Guren - Professor, Consultant oncologist, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway

The future of DCCC Radiotherapy

At the DCCC RT annual meeting 2022, one of the dedicated sessions addressed the future of DCCC RT and asked the participants to brainstorm on new ideas and existing initiatives. The evaluation also had recommendations to where DCCC RT could prioritise focus areas moving forward. For now, it is decided that the network structure will continue and national webinars will carry on in the autumn. The national Steering Committee has agreed to continue their collaboration and work within DCCC RT. There will also be an annual meeting this year November 30-December 1 in Middelfart. Existing communication channels will continue. Keep updated on activities and the further development at the website, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Read the full evaluation report here.