Department of Translational Medical Oncology
The Department of Translational Medical Oncology investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms for cancer development, proliferation and evolution. The department engages in clinical as well as experimental activities to ensure a rapid turnaround of scientific results into clinical application and clinical outcome into new hypotheses. Experimentally, high-throughput, multi-parametric molecular profiling is used to discover differences in the genome of tumor and normal cells to identify novel targets for cancer therapy on the genomic or cellular level.
The group develops suitable model systems to functionally and mechanistically characterize their impact and assess the potential for clinical application. Clinically, a dedicated personalized oncology outpatient clinic provides consulting appointments to initiate innovative diagnostic approaches, and organizes a tumor board to discuss results of genetic tumor profiling and molecularly guided treatment strategies.
Understanding and targeting alterations in cancer
In the working group Experimental Translational Oncology within the TMO department, Dr. Ball's team investigates the biological foundations of tumor progression. To this end, patient-derived tumor models are generated, which capture the diverse functional and genetic heterogeneity of patient tumors. Innovative new approaches developed in the lab enable the systematic creation of patient-derived 3D models even from rare tumor entities with high efficiency. These developed 3D models are used in the lab to explore mechanisms of tumor progression and resistance development, as well as to identify new therapeutic targets and personalized treatment strategies.
To support molecularly informed precision medicine, the team has developed a method that systematically tests the response of patient-specific tumor models to a broad range of clinically relevant drugs. This integrative approach directly links comprehensive molecular datasets with functional in vitro test results, thereby further supporting the recommendation of tailored therapies for patients based on molecular analyses.
Additional projects in the laboratory investigate the significance of intra-tumoral heterogeneity for tumor progression and the development of resistance, as well as the development of novel therapeutic approaches to overcome such resistance.
Dr. Claudia Ball
Group Leader
E-Mail: claudia.ball(at)nct-dresden.de
NCT MASTER Registry trial for patients
In an interdisciplinary approach, new discoveries are directly transferred into treatment recommendations using the NCT/DKTK MASTER registry trial. The NCT MASTER (Molecularly Aided Stratification for Tumor Eradication) protocol consents young patients or patients with rare tumor diseases for molecular diagnostics approaches with the explicit purpose of evaluating and stratifying for the best molecular treatment strategy and enrolment in diagnostic and therapeutic clinical trials. The NCT MASTER is a joint NCT program between NCT Heidelberg and NCT/UCC Dresden. You can find more information about registering for the program here.
Center for Personalized Oncology
The NCT/UCC Dresden Center for Personalized Oncology aims at translating latest research as well as innovative technologies and cancer therapies into clinical practice. A dedicated personalized oncology outpatient clinic provides consulting appointments to discuss innovative diagnostic approaches, results of genetic tumor profiling and molecularly guided treatment strategies. Clinical data and results of molecular analyses as well as potential therapeutic implications are discussed within a molecular tumor board participated by an interdisciplinary team of specialists in molecular diagnostics, targeted cancer therapy as well as involved clinical departments.
PD Dr. med. Christoph Heining
Senior Attending Physician
E-Mail: christoph.heining(at)nct-dresden.de
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are functional RNA molecules that are transcribed from DNA but not translated into proteins. Considering that only around 2% of the human transcriptome is translated, ncRNAs represent a huge proportion of the DNA encoded genetic information. Many ncRNA subspecies have been described, for instance microRNAs, small nucleolar RNAs or long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). They play pivotal roles in a plethora of cellular processes in development and diseases, including cancer, and can interact with nearly all cellular components.
By exploring various cancer entities and state-of-the art techniques, we want to demonstrate that non-coding RNAs can drive tumorigenesis and influence anti-cancer treatment response. In addition, we will explore their suitability to function as biomarkers for precision oncology based approaches.
RESEARCH AIMS
- Identification and characterization of cancer-driving ncRNAs
- Characterization of ncRNA-epigenome landscapes in various cancers
- Defining prognostic ncRNA scores for different targeted cancer therapies
- Exploring therapy resistance associated ncRNAs
Dr. Alexander Wurm
Group Leader
E-Mail: alexander.wurm(at)nct-dresden.de
Dr. Marius Bill
Group Leader
E-Mail: marius.bill(at)nct-dresden.de
MSNZ fellowship: Non-coding RNAs in cancer
The department closely collaborates with the Mildred-Scheel-Group “Biomedical Genomics”, headed by Dr. Anna Poetsch, exploring the possibilities of novel functional genomics and machine learning approaches to investigate DNA-damage response mechanisms in cancer.
Dr. Anna Poetsch
Group Leader
E-Mail: anna.poetsch(at)tu-dresden.de
MSNZ fellowship: Biomedical Genomics
Open Positions
We frequently offer bachelor/master thesis and lab rotations positions for life sciences students. Interested students are welcome to submit an application including motivation letter and certificates to julia.dorok(at)nct-dresden.de.
Contact
Prof. Dr. med. Hanno Glimm
Head of Department
Translational Medical Oncology
E-Mail: hanno.glimm(at)nct-dresden.de
Phone: +49 (0)351 458 5531
Dr. Daniela Richter
Scientific and Administrative Coordinator
E-Mail: daniela.richter(at)nct-dresden.de
Phone: +49 (0)351 458 5539