The mission of CCIT

The overall aim of CCIT is to gather national expertise and accumulate sufficient critical mass in order to significantly improve our ability to bridge the gap between discovery and clinical development in the field of cancer immunotherapy. CCIT has a focus on development of immunological treatment of cancer, and has a research profile based on equally weighted experimental and clinical projects with a tight interconnection.

Over the past few years we have carried out several immunotherapeutic clinical trials based on translation of the discovery of new potential cancer vaccine targets. All clinical trials are carried out in close cooperation with senior clinicians at the relevant departments, and a clinical research unit with data managers and specialised nurses participates in patient handling, registration and monitoring.

CCIT comprise certified clinical grade laboratory for preparation of therapeutic cellular products. All relevant equipment and instruments are available for immune monitoring, including a flow cytometry and cell separation unit, a cell culture unit, and a molecular genetic unit.

CCIT has a total of 19 employees including scientific and technical staff. The yearly budget is at present app. 1 million Euro including a core budget of 0.5 million provided by hospital management, Dept of Hematology and the Danish Cancer Society. The majority of the core budget is allocated for personnel including the two directors and three technicians. The remaining part of the budget is covered by project specific temporary grant support.

The long list of clinical and scientific collaborators clearly illustrates our strong standing in field, also underscored by the fact that CCIT represents the only research group in Denmark having research in tumor immunology as its main focus. This position leaves us with an obligation, not only to conduct high quality experimental, translation and clinical research, but also to inspire and motivate the clinical and scientific community in Denmark. To this end, we are directly involved in a number of external clinical projects, but also by playing an important role as "catalysts". Senior personnel all participate in education of master and PhD students internally as well as externally. Thus, senior personnel contribute substantially to the education of next generation scientists and clinicians in the field. At present seven PhD students are employed at CCIT, and senior personnel also supervise external PhD students.

Last update: January 10, 2008