Prostate Cancer Program

Program Coordinators

Prof. Dr. Guido Sauter
Institute for Pathology
Phone: +49 (0) 7410 - 55500
E-mail: g.sauter@uke.de

Prof. Dr. Derya Tilki
Martini-Klinik
Phone: +49 (0) 40 7410 - 51300
E-mail: d.tilki@uke.de

Overview

This program takes a leading role in the ICGC (International Cancer Genome Consortium) and TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas Program) consortia and serves as exceptional reference database of >20,000 biosamples linked to clinical data. Scientific focus areas include the molecular evolution of early-onset prostate cancer and continuous refinement of prognostic information by investigating novel prognostic classifiers, minimal lymphatic spread, functional and mutational signatures associated with radiosensitization as well as mechanisms for prostate cancer dormancy.

Please visit the pages of the Hamburg Prostate Cancer Consortium (HPCC) for details of individual research projects.

Program Members

• Thorsten Frenzel, PD Dr. Dr.
  Outpatient Center, Radiotherapy
• Markus Graefen, Prof. Dr.
  Martini-Klinik
• Hans Heinzer, Prof. Dr.
  Martini-Klinik
• Hartwig Huland, Prof. Dr.
  Martini-Klinik
• Wael Yasin Mansour, PD Dr.
  Laboratory for Radiobiology and Experimental Radio-oncology
• Tobias Maurer, Prof. Dr.
  Martini-Klinik
• Klaus Pantel, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Tumor Biology
• Kai Rothkamm, Prof. Dr.
  Laboratory for Radiobiology and Experimental Radio-oncology
• Hartmut Schlüter, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Clinical Chemistry
• Ronald Simon, PD Dr.
  Institute for Pathology
• Gunhild von Amsberg, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Hematology and Oncology
  Martini-Klinik

Dissemination & Metastasis incl. Liquid Biopsy Program

Program Coordinators

Prof. Dr. Klaus Pantel
Institute for Tumor Biology
Phone: +49 (0) 40 7410 - 57893
E-mail: pantel@uke.de

Prof. Dr. Christoffer Gebhardt
Department of Dermatology and Venereology
Phone: +49 (0) 40 7410 - 57626
E-mail: ch.gebhardt@uke.de

Overview

This program combines three main pillars of expertise:

• Liquid biopsy: The UCCH has a unique international reputation in liquid biopsy technique development and clinical application with high-level third-party funding. Complementary mechanistic research is unraveling interactions between tumor and bone cells as well as immune cells in the bone (marrow) and liver microenvironment. These achievements led to the UCCH-initiated inauguration of the European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS) in 2019, forming an international hub for liquid biopsy (>20 founding institutions from 13 countries).

• Oligometastatic disease: The long-term UCCH expertise in interdisciplinary care of patients with oligometastatic disease in particular with multimodal therapy concepts is strengthened with research projects on brain metastases, stereotactic radiotherapy and PSMA-guided surgery for prostate cancer.

• Systemic treatment: The systemic treatment of metastasized solid tumors or incurable hematolymphoid malignancies plays a crucial role in the research activities of the entity-specific research programs and especially focuses on personalized medicine utilizing novel treatment concepts such as cellular treatment, immunotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors in clinical trials. Of special strategic importance to further strengthen the program is the foundation of the DKH (Deutsche Krebshilfe)-funded MSNZ (Mildred Scheel Nachwuchszentrum), a multidisciplinary dissemination and metastasis research center supporting scientific career paths and translational research by promoting partnerships between medical and clinician scientists. Furthermore the program activities resulted in a lead participation in the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) priority program μBONE (6 UCCH projects) in collaboration with Lübeck, Dresden and Würzburg which aims to explore the interaction of disseminated tumor cells with the bone marrow stromal niche.

Program Members

• Michael Amling, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Osteology and Biomechanics
• Volker Aßmann, Dr.
  Institute for Tumor Biology
• Carsten Bokemeyer, Prof. Dr.
  UCCH
  Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
• Björn Busse, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Osteology and Biomechanics
• Janik Engelmann
  Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
• Boris Fehse, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Stem Cell Transplantation
• Walter Fiedler, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
• Thorsten Frenzel, PD Dr. Dr.
  Outpatient Center, Radiotherapy
• Nicola Gagliani, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery
• Katharina Harms-Effenberger, PD Dr.
  Institute for Tumor Biology
• Samuel Huber, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Gastroenterology
• Simon Joosse, PD Dr.
  Institute for Tumor Biology
• Nicolaus Kröger, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Stem Cell Transplantation
• Katrin Lamszus, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Neurosurgery
• Tobias Maurer, Prof. Dr.
  Martini-Klinik
• Volkmar Müller, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Gynecology
• Leticia Oliveira-Ferrer, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Gynecology
• Cordula Petersen, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Radiotherapy
• Sabine Riethdorf, PD Dr.
  Institute for Tumor Biology
• Stefan Rutkowski, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
• Meike Saul, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
• Thorsten Schinke, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Osteology and Biomechanics
• Barbara Schmalfeldt, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Gynecology
• Stefan Schneider, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Dermatology and Venereology
• Katja Weisel, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
• Stefan Werner, Dr.
  Dept. for Tumor Biology
• Harriet Wikman, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Tumor Biology
  

Hematology & Cellular Therapy Program

Program Coordinators

Prof. Dr. Boris Fehse
Dept. of Stem Cell Transplantation
Fehse Lab, Research Dept. Cell and Gene Therapy
Phone: +49 (0) 40 7410 - 55518
E-mail: fehse@uke.de

Prof. Dr. Walter Fiedler
Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
Phone: +49 (0) 40 7410 - 23051
E-Mail: fiedler@uke.de

PD Dr. Jasmin Wellbrock
Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
Phone: +49 (0) 40 7410 - 55606 / 55931
E-Mail: j.wellbrock@uke.de

Overview

This program translated two own basic research findings with the Axl inhibitor Bemcentinib and Mebendazol, a strong inhibitor of the SHH-GLI signaling pathway, directly into phase I trials for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. In the cellular therapy program a HIV gene construct for gene therapy of HIV-associated diffuse large cell B-cell lymphoma was developed and translated in an IIT trial. The newly implemented myeloma program is complemented by IIT correlative studies on immunoprofiling and basic research on the myeloma microenvironment and on development of innovative bi- and trispecific nanobodies.

Program Members

• Peter Bannas, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
• Judith Dierlamm, Prof. Dr. Dr.
  Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
• Friedrich Haag, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Immunology
• Martin Horstmann, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
  Forschungsinstitut Kinderkrebszentrum
• Manfred Jücker, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Biochemistry and Signal Transduction
• Fabian Knörr, Dr. med.
  Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
• Nicolaus Kröger, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Stem Cell Transplantation
• Lisa Leypoldt, Dr. med.
  Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
• Ingo Müller, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Stem Cell Transplantation
  Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
  Forschungsinstitut Kinderkrebszentrum
• Peter Nollau, Dr.
  Forschungsinstitut Kinderkrebszentrum
• Friedrich Nolte, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Immunology
• Gunhild von Amsberg, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
  Martini-Klinik
• Katja Weisel, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Oncology and Hematology

Neuro-oncology Program

Program Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Katrin Lamszus
Dept. of Neurosurgery
Lamszus Lab, Hans-Dietrich Hermann Laboratory for Brain Tumor Biology
Phone: +49 (0) 40 7410 - 55577
E-mail: lamszus@uke.de

Overview

This program is focused on malignant pediatric brain tumors and adult glioma and directed by the Depts. of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Neuropathology and Neurosurgery. It encompasses basic research with innovative preclinical model design helping to identify spatiotemporal tumor origins and novel therapeutic targets, tumor microenvironment research activities aimed at understanding and exploiting tumor metabolism and immune modulation, novel diagnostic approaches including DNA methylation-based tumor classification and liquid biopsy as well as large practice-changing UCCH-led clinical trials especially of the pediatric HIT study group.

Program Members

• Michael Bockmayr, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
• Jens Gempt, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Neurosurgery
• Markus Glatzel, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Neuropathology
• Cecile Maire, Dr.
  Dept. of Neurosurgery
• Malte Mohme, PD Dr.
  Dept. of Neurosurgery
• Martin Mynarek, Dr.
  Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
• Julia Neumann, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Neuropathology
• Franz Ricklefs, PD Dr.
  Dept. of Neurosurgery
• Stefan Rutkowski, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
• Ulrich Schüller, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
  Forschungsinstitut Kinderkrebszentrum

Psycho-oncology Program

Program Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Holger Schulz
Dept. of Medical Psychology
Phone: +49 (0) 40 7410 - 56806
E-mail: schulz@uke.de

Overview

The UCCH has a long-standing international reputation in psycho-oncology and palliative care.
During the last five years major psychosocial outcomes research projects were completed (e.g. Electronic Screening for Psychosocial Distress (EPAS). Based on these studies the UCCH conducted a nationwide analysis of psycho-oncological care needs and provision on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health (PsoViD) and a prospective evaluation of the HKG (Hamburger Krebsgesellschaft) cancer counseling centers (HKG-EVA).
Projects using modern information systems and social media have been recently completed, e.g. an e-health study evaluating how outpatients with prostate cancer accept internet-based psychosocial aftercare.
The UCCH has also started research on the impact of patient support groups and their health care experience funded by the BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research) and the DKH (Deutsche Krebshilfe).
Another recently completed trial has focused on the use and utility of specific rehabilitation efforts in cancer survivors.
Overall, the UCCH has established a strong research focus on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical routine.
Since early 2018 PREPARED, a DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)-funded, complex program to foster shared decision making (SDM) as a key element of patient-centered care was implemented in several UCCH clinics. One imminent goal is to expand this SDM implementation program to all clinics of the UCCH, and to complement it with complementary learning strategies. We will develop, implement and validate i) patient decision aids for cancer care, ii) a patient-reported experience measure (PREM) to assess patient-centeredness in routine cancer care and iii) “patient letters”, i. e. automated translation of discharge letters into lay language using machine learning.

Program Members

• Martin Härter, Prof. Dr. Dr.
  Dept. of Medical Psychology
• Christopher Kofahl, Dr.
  Insitute for Medical Sociology
• Karin Oechsle, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
• Isabelle Scholl, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Medical Psychology
• Alexander Stein, PD Dr.
  UCCH
• Sigrun Vehling, PD Dr.
  Dept. of Medical Psychology
• Olaf von dem Knesebeck, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Medical Sociology

Head & Neck Cancer Program

Program Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Christian Betz
Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology
Phone: +49 (0) 40 7410 - 52360
E-Mail: c.betz@uke.de

Overview

This program focuses on the identification and potential targeting of deregulated kinase signaling pathways, e. g. the identification of an EGFR polymorphism inducing resistance, development of ex vivo tumor slice culture assays for treatment response prediction, in-depth analysis of HPV HNSCC (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma) tumor-/radiobiology, multiphoton endomicroscopy and tissue engineering.

Program Members

• Kerstin Borgmann, Prof. Dr.
  Laboratory for Radiobiology and Experimental Radio-oncology
• Martin Gosau, Prof. Dr. Dr.
  Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Malte Kriegs, PD Dr.
  Laboratory for Radiobiology and Experimental Radio-oncology
• Klaus Pantel, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Tumor Biology
• Thorsten Rieckmann, Dr.
  Laboratory for Radiobiology and Experimental Radio-oncology
  Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology
• Kai Rothkamm, Prof. Dr.
  Laboratory for Radiobiology and Experimental Radio-oncology
• Guido Sauter, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Pathology
• Hartmut Schlüter, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Clinical Chemistry

Gastrointestinal Cancer & Immuno-oncology Program

Program Coordinator

PD Dr. Marianne Sinn
Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
Phone: +49 (0) 40 7410 - 70434
E-mail: ma.sinn@uke.de

Overview

One major research focus of this program lies on the interaction between tumor and the surrounding stroma as novel mediator of resistance. Another important research topic is regulation of anti-tumor immune responses in gut and liver. UCCH IITs investigating novel (immune)therapeutic concepts are linked to translational programs including liquid biopsy (AVETUX-CRC, INTEGA, TARC).

Program Members

• Gerhard Adam, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
• Andreas Block, PD Dr.
  UCCH
  Dept. of Hematology and Oncology
• Carsten Bokemeyer, Prof. Dr.
  UCCH
  Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
• Nicola Gagliani, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery
  Dept. of Gastroenterology
• Thilo Hackert, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery
• Katharina Harms-Effenberger, PD Dr.
  Dept. of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery
  Institute for Tumor Biology
• Samuel Huber, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Gastroenterology
• Klaus Pantel, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Tumor Biology
• Thomas Rösch, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Interdisciplinary Endoscopy
• Meike Saul, Prof. Dr.
  Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
• Guido Sauter, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Pathology
• Gisa Tiegs, Prof. Dr.
  Institute for Experimental Hepatology and Immunology
• Joseph Tintelnot, Dr.
  Dept. of Oncology and Hematology
• Johann von Felden, Dr.
  Dept. of Gastroenterology