Czech cancer research viewed from the outside

Some of them already share their scientific experience with younger colleagues, others are at the beginning of their professional careers in research, but they all have one thing in common: although they come from abroad, they participate in cancer research in the Czech Republic. They are therefore in a good position to compare, which is why we asked about their opinion regarding the conditions and results which Czech science has, or could have, compared to the rest of Europe or the world. And about what role NICR could ideally play in it. 

1. In which country would you recommend/like to do cancer research at least for a while and why? 

2. How do you perceive the status of Czech cancer research in the context of the European or world research community?

3. What should the NCRI do to further increase its visibility abroad?

Kari Hemminki

Prague node, Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen
Focus on translational cancer genomics

1. USA for technology and resources, United Kingdom and Sweden for data resources and research quality, Germany for research efforts.
2. In Europe, increasing quality and reaching over the middle. Many countries have local or national patient cohorts that are open to all scientists, which boosts collaboration. It is similar with open patient registers, including cancer registers, which would stimulate patient-centred clinical studies. There are also many unnecessary obstacles for research here, such as heavy administrative paperwork for grant applications and tight annual budget control with low tender limits. This could be relegated to a committee whose task it would be to consider obstacles to research excellence.
3. One cannot improve one’s visibility in science without successful research. This could be helped by consolidating research efforts through open and fair support to competitive teams. Collaboration can be encouraged by concrete measures (funding), which is of outmost importance for a small country. Announcing doctoral and postdoc positions with financially sustainable conditions.

Jonathan S. Duke-Cohan

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Visiting Professor at the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University
Focus on molecular immunology

1. I think that anyone answering this question has to ask themselves the following questions in some form: Of all the new tools available, which ones are likely to advance answers for my research, who has been developing those tools and is implementing them in an accessible way, and who has all the facilities to follow and learn the pipeline from initiation to final result?
   In cellular immunology, we spend our time isolating subsets of immune cells, then remixing them in a plastic well, and hope that in this cellular anarchic state we are recreating what happens in the physiological milieu. Spatial transcriptomics allows us to look at cells and their transcriptional programming in their natural cellular environment. Already, new techniques are being developed to visualize representations of the single cell proteome at the same resolution. For me, at the center of these efforts lies the Teichmann laboratory that used to be at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Cambridge UK but is now at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute. Without a doubt, this is where I would head for a 6-month period to learn everything I could.
2. The Velvet Revolution occurred only 35 years ago and, as for other countries leaving Communist rule at that same time, in biomedical research – which is dependent upon heavy investment in material, educational, and infrastructural resources – the Czech Republic has had to catch up with Western countries who have had forty extra years of development. Such changes don’t happen overnight and remain a work-in-progress. The establishment of the NCRI with centralized finances, resources, and organization can maximize return upon investment, enable cross-fertilization between groups, and provide educational opportunities through meetings. One must be realistic about expectations here – Czech oncology research is not a large signal on the international radar at present but as outlined in the answer to the next question, this is something that will change.
3. Everything is dependent upon the new, younger generations of clinicians and scientists coming into the field. As clinicians finish residencies, and as scientists begin looking for their first post-doctoral opportunities, they should be strongly encouraged to find further training or postdoctoral opportunities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, or Canada. The NCRI should set up a small administrative unit to help centralize resources and help for Czechs looking for positions abroad. After 3–5 years abroad, these clinicians and scientists will bring back experience and contacts that will forge a strong bridge between Czechia and the top institutions in the world thus raising the stature here. To facilitate this, medical students and undergraduates should be encouraged to join the Czech academic societies at student rates so as to be exposed to the field, and the NCRI should set up a scheme allowing bursaries of perhaps 500–1000 euros to allow students, graduate students, post-docs and new group leaders to attend not only meetings in Czechia but across Europe and even North America if possible. It’s an ugly word to many but “networking” is key to development and visibility.

Nikta Ziaei

Olomouc node, Palacký University, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine
Postgraduate student focused on molecular and translational medicine

1. I strongly recommend conducting cancer research within the Schengen area, which is home to some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. These countries offer exceptional opportunities, including access to substantial research funding, state-of-the-art technologies, and a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. With their vibrant research ecosystems, they serve as centres for innovation in cancer research and support extensive partnerships with leading international institutions, which enables researchers to collaborate with the global scientific community and contribute to ground-breaking advances in oncology.
2. Czech cancer research has made impressive strides in recent years, driven by the significant contributions of leading institutions such as the National Institute for Cancer Research (NICR) and the Masaryk Oncology Institute. Czech researchers are increasingly recognized as key contributors to international collaborations, particularly in molecular oncology and immunotherapy. Their innovative approaches and rigorous scientific methodologies have elevated the profile of Czech cancer research not only within Europe but on the global stage.
   This progress is reflected in the growing presence of Czech scientists in high-impact journals and major global conferences, where they present research that promises to pave the way for novel treatment strategies and ground-breaking therapies. These developments highlight the Czech Republic’s emergence as a dynamic and influential hub in the international cancer research community, fostering robust partnerships and contributing valuable insights to the fight against cancer.
3. In order to increase its international visibility and establish itself as a leading institution in the global cancer research landscape, the NICR could employ a multi-faceted strategy, including the following key initiatives:
   1. Focus on high-impact publications: Encourage researchers to target top international journals with high citation rates. 
   2. Organise international conferences and workshops: Bring world leaders in cancer research to the Czech Republic. Facilitate workshops on emerging topics such as personalized medicine, artificial intelligence in cancer research, or novel therapeutic approaches to position the NICR as a thought leader in these areas.
   3. Expand global collaborations: Build more partnerships with leading cancer research institutes worldwide.
   4. Strengthen branding and public relations: Promote NICR’s achievements and programmes through social media, newsletters, and strategic public relations campaigns.
   5. Support mobility programs: Offer fellowships or exchange opportunities for foreign researchers to conduct research in the Czech Republic and vice versa.
      

Maria Kuzmina

Prague node, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Postgraduate student focused on haematooncology

1. If you’re looking for a unique experience and are open to living far from home, I would suggest conducting cancer research in the United States at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). On the other hand, if you prefer to stay in Europe, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is an excellent choice. Both institutions offer world-class infrastructure, significant funding opportunities, and access to cutting-edge technologies. Working in such prestigious environments can provide invaluable professional experience, help expand your network, and help to establish collaborations that could benefit your career for years to come.
2. Czech cancer research has made significant progress in molecular oncology and novel therapeutics. This progress has been driven by the Czech Academy of Sciences and supported by the NICR and companies such as SOTIO, which focuses on dendritic cell-based immunotherapy. Despite its solid reputation in Europe, it is still often overshadowed by countries with more robust funding.
3. To further increase Czech cancer research visibility, NICR could:
   1. Expand international collaborations through partnering with leading cancer research centres worldwide.
   2. Host international workshops and conferences.
   3. Promote Czech cancer research via social media, press releases.
   4. Offer grants for competitive postdoctoral fellowships.