From Gene to Treatment: Comprehensive Molecular Diagnostics at the NCT/UCC
Why do we analyze a tumor’s genetic makeup?
Cancer arises from pathological changes in genetic material. These changes can vary significantly from person to person, or even from tumor to tumor. Understanding the specific genetic mutation patterns of cancer cells can help us to better understand and potentially treat the individual disease in a targeted manner. The targeted use and optimal combination of drugs are expected to improve cancer treatment and spare patients the unnecessary side effects of ineffective medications in the future.
Who is eligible to participate?
Our Programs
We currently offer the following programs for comprehensive tumor characterization:
Modellvorhaben Genomsequenzierung: Whole-genome sequencing for tumor diseases where standard therapies have been exhausted
RATIONALE-trial: Whole-genome sequencing for rare tumor diseases where standard therapies have been exhausted
MASTER-Program: Whole-genome sequencing and exploratory novel methods in specific rare advanced-stage tumors
MASTERsg-Program: Comprehensive panel sequencing for advanced-stage tumors
Participation
To participate in one of the molecular diagnostics programs, please ask your treating physician to request your inclusion. We will review your registration documents to determine if participation is appropriate for your current medical condition and which analysis is best suited to your case. During your appointment at the "Personalized Oncology" unit, you will receive detailed information about the program and the planned diagnostic procedures.
Registration documents for participation:
- Registration form
- Current medical report
- Recommendation from a tumor board for comprehensive molecular diagnostics
- Pathology report
- Information on current imaging
Secretariat
Email: zpmo(at)ukdd.de
Phone: 0351 458 11948
Fax: 0351 458 7299 / 885541
Outpatient clinic:
NCT/UCC Dresden
Haus 31
Fiedlerstraße 19
01307 Dresden
Mailing address:
NCT/UCC Dresden
Fetscherstraße 74 / PF64
01307 Dresden
What happens next?
During the informational consultation, we will discuss with you the requirements for the diagnostic process, the possible results, potential implications for your treatment, and the program’s procedures.
If you’d like to learn more in advance, you can watch the informational videos developed by the MASTER Program.
For the analysis, we need a recent sample of your tumor that reflects the current molecular situation at the relevant tumor location. We will discuss with you or your treating physician which tissue is available for analysis and, if necessary, how to obtain additional tissue during an upcoming surgery.
Our programs offer two types of analysis: a broad panel analysis of oncologically relevant genes (MASTERsg) and comprehensive whole-genome sequencing ( Modellvorhaben, RATIONALE trial, and MASTER). Depending on your clinical situation and the availability of sample material, we will determine the most appropriate analysis for your case.
It usually takes 4–6 weeks to reach the Molecular Tumor Board. Once your case is ready, your treating physician will be informed and invited to the meeting.
By comparing the sequence of the tumor tissue with that of healthy tissue, we obtain information about alterations in the tumor. Only some of these are known targets for approved drugs. For the majority of cases the likelihood of success for targeted therapy must be assessed based on bioinformatic analyses, expert knowledge, and additional laboratory testing. Corresponding treatment recommendations and the underlying data are discussed by medical and scientific colleagues in an interdisciplinary molecular tumor board.
As a result of the analysis, your doctor will receive a report from the molecular tumor board. This report contains treatment recommendations, which may include experimental drug therapy or enrollment in a clinical trial.
You can find more information about different types of treatment, for example, on the website of the “Krebsinformationsdienst” (in German).
Krebsinformationsdienst
Zielgerichtete Therapie
Molekulare Diagnostik
Krebsforschung und klinische Studien
Further Treatment and Follow-Up
You will decide on further treatment together with your treating physician. If the drug is approved for your condition or if you qualify for inclusion in a clinical trial, your physician can discuss the treatment strategy with you and implement it if appropriate.
If the drug is not approved for your condition, your treating physician can submit a so-called off-label application based on the recommendation of the molecular tumor board. In this application, your physician requests that your health insurance company cover the cost of the medication, and the insurance company then decides whether to approve it.
Follow-up
To continuously improve our recommendations, we would like to know which therapy you received, how your tumor responded to it, and how you tolerated the treatment. To this end, we periodically check in with your treating physician to follow up on the course of your disease.