The necessity to organize clinical research and current practice in medical oncology

Unfortunately, in Romania, in many oncology departments, the research is poorly represented. But after the 31-year experience of the “Prof. Dr. Al. Trestioreanu” Institute of Oncology from Bucharest, I can exemplify this situation. Instead of research being one of the first priorities of the institute, there is an increasingly restricted activity, the number of researchers decreasing year by year. Referring to clinical research, this is not carried out under the supervision of a scientific council, possibly led by a research director, but is done sporadically by doctors selec­ted by companies, physicians who must have limited liability companies (SRL), or to be authorized physical person or authorized independent person. 

In general, the lack of coordination of clinical research means that no sponsorship for original studies can be found, no national and international collaboration can be made. I am surprised that the ministry of education and research does not have the vision necessary to organize the activity in the institutes of Romania based on European models.

I will briefly present the Gustave Roussy Institute in France, which is one of the most important institutes of its kind in the world.

“The Institute Gustave Roussy (IGR), the leading European anticancer centre, has 2,500 men and women, whose missions are to treat patients suffering from cancer, conduct research and develop new therapies, and to pass on knowledge and know-how to the medical and scientific communities in France and worldwide”.

In terms of research, 400 research scientists conduct projects under the oversight of a scientific council, a therapeutic trials commission and a clinical research committee.
In terms of treatment, IGR is a 400-bed hospital with 124 statutory physicians. Annually, over 11,000 new patients are recruited, 130,000 patients attend its clinics, and 42,000 patients receive treatment.

Another exemple for medical department organization is the Department of Medical Oncology of the Ioannina University Hospital from Greece. The department consists of a 26-bed day unit for daily examination/treatment of patients, a 28-bed inpatient oncology ward, and the clinic facilities with 8 private examination rooms. The staff is: Associate Professor George Pentheroudakis, Head of Department, five medical oncology consultants, five medical oncology registrars, 26 nurses trained in the care of oncology patients, and one palliative care nurse. The staff and facilities for clinical and translational cancer research include a data manager, one research nurse and two secretaries. Facilities are available for radiotherapy, brachytherapy, CT and MRI-based imaging, surgical oncology care, and medical care. A PET scanner is expected to be installed in the near future.

The conclusion drawn from these data is that, without adequate auxiliary personnel, in a sufficient number and with a good training, the performance in medical oncology cannot be done, but also the current activity cannot be adequately carried out sometimes.