This technology was achieved by a cooperation between McGill University and DKFZ. Brain tumours, such as the highly aggressive glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are currently the leading cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity in children. Current diagnosis of brain cancers involve MRI, PET and CT scans, angiographies, followed by biopsies performed either during the resection of the tumor or as a separate procedure via a burr hole. A blood-based test would provide a more economical, i.e accessible and less invasive diagnostic tool. The GBM specific biomarker has been patented and is available for licensing i.e. for companion diagnostics.
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are promising anticancer agents and are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. However, due to their unselective action, pan-HDACi exhibit dose-limiting side-effects restricting their full potential in anti-cancer therapy. Therefore, characterization of the molecular function of single HDAC isozymes is of major importance for a targeted therapy with less side-effects. We show that HDAC10 overexpression mediated cell survival and targeting of HDAC10 sensitized tumor cells for cytotoxic drug treatment and it correlates with progression or recurrence of neuroblastoma in vivo. These results demonstrate for the first time that HDAC10 induces an alternative lysosomal-mediated tumor cell death pathway, re-sensitizes cells for cytotoxic drugs and may thus be a novel strategy for neuroblastoma therapy.
By using Hall effect sensors and electromagnetic induction coils, the magnetic flux density, the change in magnetic flux density, and the change in magnetic flux can be monitored simultaneously. The compact measuring sensor is connected to the supply and data storage device via a signal cable and can be attached to any body part. A fully functional prototype has already been constructed and tested.
70-80% of newly diagnosed breast tumors account for hormone receptor positive breast cancer (also known as luminal breast cancer). The histologic grade of luminal breast cancer is often determined by semi-quantitative methods describing morphologic features related to the differentiation states of the tumor specimen. In order to make a clear-cut classification of luminal breast cancer as either grade 1 (= low risk) or grade 3 (= high risk) tumors, DKFZ researchers have developed a 3-protein marker set.
Modifications of histones are known to play a role in cancer altering accessibility of DNA for transcriptional processes. So detection methods for enzymes modifying histones are of urgent need. We established two hybridoma cell lines producing antibodies directed against HDAC11suitable for immunocytochemistry, chromatin IP, and Western Blot.
The aim of radiation therapy is to eradicate a tumor without causing significant damage to contiguous normal tissue. For precise field shaping of the radiation beam multileaf collimators (MLC) have been broadly established. The linear servo MLC presented here provides various advantages over conventionally employed MLCs like reduced size and weight, dynamic leaf movements up to 4 m/s, direct fixation of the linear servo rod to the associated leaf and position sensors are implemented in the linear drives.
The invention provides a cell based high-throughput screening system for agents that influence DNA methylation by determining the methylation status of an internal promoter.
This humanized monoclonal antibody efficiently neutralizes HSV fully in-dependent of complement or immune effector cell recruitment and completely abrogates viral cell-to-cell spread, a key mechanism by which HSV escapes humoral immune surveillance.
The invention presents a new method for pseudonymizing e.g. patient identifiers in which the pseudonymmization service provider is unable to derive the patient identifier from the pseudonym, but rather this ability is assigned to an authorized third party (Ombudsman). This is achieved by asymmetric and symmetric encryption algorithms and key derivation functions in combination with a new algorithm to pseudonymize a patient identifier. The asymmetric and symmetric encryption algorithms used in the pseudonymization software are approved by the technical directive TR-03116 for eCard-Projects of the German Federal Government. The method/software can be used for pseudonymmization of any sensitive data if they are processed by third-party institutions e.g. patient samples for translational research or bank account data.
Numerous studies have shown that selective inhibition of the MetAP-II subtype halts the growth of endothelial cells in culture, inhibits angiogenesis in animal models, and is a validated strategy for anti-angiogenic cancer therapy. In addition, MetAP-II has also emerged as a promising target for other indications, including malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary hypertension, and obesity. So the invention describes the design of the small molecules which was guided by the chemical structure of fumagillin. The substances have drug-like substructures, exist in novel chemical space, and the active enantiomeric series has been identified. In addition data on solubility and in vitro plasma half life time are available.
Combination therapy of wogonin or rocaglamide together with Bcl-2 inhibitors leads to increased efficacy of ABT-263, even in cancer cells which have acquired resistance to ABT-263, and without affecting proliferation of normal T cells and platelets.
The assembly and maintenance of functional nucleoli is essential for cell viability. DKFZ researchers developed anti-sense oligos that target Alu element-containing RNAs, which are essential for intact nucleoli, for cancer cell specific induction of apoptosis.
The antibody recognizes the kinase HIPK2 only when phosphorylated at Thr880 and Ser882 and therefore can be used for predicting kinase activity.
The invention discloses a measles virus based oncolytic tumor therapy. The virus encodes antibodies against CTLA-4 or PD-L1 and has proven effectiveness in a in vivo mouse tumor model.
The present invention discloses an antibody which selectively binds SITR1 dependent on its activation status.
The technology allows for direct and indirect detection of cancer tissue. It deals with a pharmaceutical compound consisting of three subdomains: (A) for specific cell surface binding to neoplastic cells, (B) for binding radiometals via a chelator domain for e.g. PET, and (C) harboring a fluorescent dye moiety for optical detection. The combination of PET tracer and optical moiety enables the surgeon to localize the tumor preoperatively via PET/CT and intraoperatively through optical detection.