Translational Research--a new entity?

The term 'Translational Research' has been increasingly used during the past decade. Julie Denekamp defines the term as 'involved with the detailed assessment of the factors influencing tumour specificity of action in order to achieve the successful implementation of a laboratory concept into a clinical protocol'. Translational research needs laboratory and clinical research units with dedicated staff who can work together. Only the careful planning and performance of clinical trials gathering all the data that may relate to the response of tumour and to that of normal tissues will allow advances in knowledge and lead to improvement in the care of patients with cancer.