Research Collaboration

Nordic collaboration in thoracic oncology

NTOG supports clinical and translational thoracic oncology research across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

Many important research questions in lung cancer require larger and more diverse study populations than one Nordic country can provide alone. This is especially true for molecularly defined subgroups, rare clinical situations, early-phase translational studies, screening cohorts, and registry-based comparisons. By working together, Nordic researchers can build stronger studies, recruit more effectively, and generate results that are relevant across the region.

NTOG provides a Nordic platform for connecting researchers, clinicians, trial teams, students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and national lung cancer groups.

Nordic clinical trials and CTIS

The EU Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) has changed how clinical trials are submitted and managed in Europe. Sponsors can use CTIS to apply for authorisation to run a clinical trial in multiple EU/EEA countries through one online application, while national regulators collaborate in the assessment and authorisation process (EMA — CTIS).

For Nordic thoracic oncology, this creates a practical opportunity. Trials can be planned from the beginning as Nordic studies, with shared protocols, harmonised procedures, coordinated site activation, and transparent public trial information.

NTOG aims to support a future where Nordic-led thoracic oncology trials can routinely include sites from several Nordic countries when scientifically and logistically appropriate. This can strengthen recruitment, improve generalisability, shorten timelines, and give more patients access to clinical research.

Researchers interested in developing or joining a Nordic clinical trial are encouraged to contact the relevant NTOG Steering Committee member.

Translational research

Translational research groups across the Nordic region already collaborate on tissue, blood, imaging, pathology, genomics, biomarkers, treatment response, toxicity, resistance, and clinical outcome data.

NTOG supports translational collaboration by helping researchers:

• identify groups working on related questions
• connect clinical cohorts with laboratory expertise
• align key variables across biobanks and registries
• discuss consent, data access, and sample-sharing frameworks
• share methods, pipelines, and early observations
• develop multicentre translational study ideas

The goal is to make Nordic translational research easier to initiate, easier to compare, and more robust scientifically.

Digital collaboration and in-person meetings

Digital tools make daily collaboration possible across countries. Shared workspaces, video meetings, secure data platforms, and coordinated project documents are now essential parts of Nordic research.

Still, strong research networks require trust, critique, and repeated personal contact. New ideas often develop fastest when researchers meet in the same room, discuss unfinished work, and identify shared problems.

NTOG therefore supports both digital collaboration and in-person meetings. The Nordic Lung Cancer Symposium, NORTHDIP, and smaller working-group workshops remain important settings for developing studies, testing ideas, and building long-term Nordic research relationships.

Students, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers

NTOG encourages cross-Nordic supervision, exchange, and early-career collaboration.

Possible collaboration models include:

• medical student projects co-supervised by researchers in two Nordic countries
• master’s theses using Nordic clinical, registry, or translational data
• PhD projects based on Nordic cohorts, biobanks, registries, or multicentre studies
• joint or dual-supervision models where feasible
• postdoctoral visits to learn methods, develop analyses, or establish new collaborations
• short research stays between Nordic groups

Students and early-career researchers are encouraged to present developing work at NTOG-linked meetings and to seek Nordic collaborators early in project planning.

Lung cancer screening pilot teams

Nordic low-dose CT lung cancer screening pilots are developing at different stages in different countries. This creates an opportunity for mutual learning across the region.

Screening teams can compare and discuss:

• recruitment strategies
• eligibility criteria and risk models
• radiology workflows
• nodule management algorithms
• smoking cessation pathways
• incidental findings
• quality assurance
• early outcome data
• implementation barriers

The aim is to support a coordinated Nordic approach where each country’s experience strengthens the others.

Current collaboration questions

NTOG welcomes practical research questions from clinicians, researchers, students, trial teams, and national groups. Some questions can be answered directly through existing NTOG contacts, while others may lead to new working groups, workshops, or multicentre study ideas.

Finding supervisors and collaborators

How can I find a Nordic co-supervisor for a PhD or master’s project?

Contact the Steering Committee member closest to your research area. NTOG can help identify suitable Nordic researchers, clinical groups, registry experts, translational laboratories, or screening teams.

Which Nordic groups work with tissue, blood, imaging, or molecular data in stage III NSCLC?

Several Nordic groups work with clinical and translational lung cancer data, including tumour tissue, blood-based biomarkers, imaging, pathology, genomics, treatment response, and outcomes. NTOG can help connect researchers working on related questions and identify whether a Nordic multicentre approach is feasible.

Screening and clinical workflows

Is there an existing Nordic protocol or SOP for nodule follow-up in screening pilots?

Nordic screening pilots use partly different workflows, reflecting national programmes, radiology infrastructure, and implementation stage. NTOG supports comparison of these approaches and can help screening teams share protocols, nodule management algorithms, and quality assurance procedures.

Clinical trials

How can my site join a Nordic CTIS-coordinated clinical trial?

Sites interested in joining a Nordic clinical trial should contact the trial lead or the relevant NTOG Steering Committee member. Early contact is recommended so feasibility, patient population, site capacity, contracts, regulatory requirements, and national approval timelines can be considered before submission or site activation.

Presenting and developing early research

Where can I present early translational results to Nordic colleagues?

Early results can be discussed through NTOG working groups, smaller workshops, and the Nordic Lung Cancer Symposium. NTOG encourages early presentation of developing ideas, especially when feedback could improve study design or support multicentre collaboration.

Which groups are interested in registry-based comparisons across Nordic countries?

Registry-based research is a natural area for Nordic collaboration.

How can we develop a multicentre Nordic study from an existing national project?

Start by defining which part of the project benefits from Nordic expansion: larger sample size, rare subgroup analysis, validation cohort, registry comparison, translational material, screening implementation, or broader generalisability. NTOG can help identify potential collaborators, data sources, and practical next steps.

Start a collaboration

To propose a study, find a collaborator, involve a student or PhD candidate, or connect with a Nordic working group, contact the relevant NTOG Steering Committee member.

You can also join the discussion through the NTOG LinkedIn group: linkedin.com/groups/10015253, or contact the NTOG Chair or Secretary.