Molecular Targets and Therapeutics Center Institute of Radiation Medicine

Radiotherapy is an important treatment modality for cancer patients. About 40-50% of all cancer patients are treated with radiotherapy. We are investigating therapy response and aiming to identify biomarkers for adjusting the appropriate irradiation strategy, including application of the proper radiation dose and potential occurrence of adverse side effect. This personalized radiotherapy concept will guide future patient stratification.

Our radiobiology research group investigates the use of novel radiation modalities for improving radiation therapy. Spatial fractionated radiotherapy include Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) and Minibeam Radiation Therapy (MBRT) - two innovative, but still preclinical concepts in radiation therapy. FLASH radiotherapy is a novel technique, involving treatment of tumors at ultra-high dose rates, which reduced the damage to healthy tissue surrounding the tumor. Our main interest is the understanding of the underlying biomedical mechanisms of spatially fractionated and high dose rate (“FLASH”) radiation therapy. The final aim of our research is the translation of these highly innovative techniques into clinical application.

How can we reduce the toxicity of radiation therapy? This question is our driving motivation in the Experimental Medical Physics team. We investigate the next generation radiation oncology modalities that reduce side effects. Our current focus is spatially fractionated and high dose rate (“FLASH”) radiation therapy. We develop and test new radiotherapy equipment, such as an innovative x-ray source, model radiobiological and radiochemical effects with mathematical tools, and simulate and plan treatments with novel, experimental strategies on clinical data. The aim of our interdisciplinary team is the translation of promising research results into clinical application.

Medical imaging plays an essential role at multiple steps in the workflow of Radiation Oncology. In our group, we are investigating the value of artificial intelligence-based medical image analysis for non-invasive tumor characterization, better prognostic assessment, improved tumor detection, and automated treatment planning. This way we aim for improved personalization of cancer care.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and lethal human tumors. Therefore, experimental stratification of radiation response and combination with targeted therapies are investigated in preclinical pancreatic cancer models within the framework of translational research. Different in vitro approaches (patient-derived organoids, murine, and human cell lines), as well as innovative high-precision irradiation concepts in advanced tumor mouse models, are established. The major aim is the generation of novel treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients to realize a true personalized medicine and improve clinical outcome.