Technology Expertise Networks and Core Facilities

The Proton Therapy Facility Dresden (UPT)

Dresden hosts a unique translational proton research infrastructure at the University Proton Therapy Dresden/OncoRay, integrating experimental research with clinical proton therapy. The clinical gantry has been open for patient studies since December 2014 and provides the basis for close interaction between clinical application and research. An experimental room directly adjacent to the patient treatment room enables biological investigations from cell culture to animal models using the clinical proton beam between patient treatments. Both double-scattering and pencil-beam scanning nozzles are available.

The platform supports technological developments, as well as radiobiological studies. Since 2015, translational studies have focused on relative biological effectiveness and combined treatment strategies. These studies are conducted in comparison with clinical photon beams, ion beams from partner sites such as Heidelberg, and innovative laser-driven beams developed at HZDR. A distinctive feature is the co-location of the proton beamline with an animal facility equipped with advanced small animal imaging technologies (MRI, PET, optical imaging, cone-beam CT, and image-guided X-ray). This setup enables precise sub-volume irradiation in mouse brains to study radiation-induced brain injury and represents the first reproducible small-animal system for region-specific late brain toxicity.

Embedded in the DKTK, the Dresden facility closely collaborates with the particle therapy centers in Heidelberg and Essen and is integrated into broader European research networks, serving as a reference infrastructure for translational proton research.

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Proton Therapy Facility Dresden

Experimental area for proton research

Small Animal Imaging and Radiotherapy Platform

In vivo experiments with small animals are particularly important for the development of new therapies in radiation oncology. Tumor xenografts and orthotopic tumor models can more realistically represent physiological tumor growth, the tumor microenvironment, and tumor interactions with the surrounding normal tissue. In addition, advanced imaging techniques are required to monitor treatment outcomes. Dresden is equipped with the full spectrum of biological imaging, radiomics, and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) for small animals (CT, PET/CT, PET/MRI, ultrasound, and optical imaging). In Dresden, in addition to a conventional preclinical X-ray irradiation platform, the image-guided irradiation system for small animals (SAIGRT, small animal image-guided radiation therapy) was developed. It enables targeted and conformal irradiation as well as X-ray-based imaging in small animals. These imaging and irradiation technologies are also used for highly precise irradiation of mouse models at the experimental proton beamline.

Technical Expertise Network: Immune Monitoring

The major aim of our immune monitoring program is the integration of comprehensive multidimensional immune-profiling into clinical trials for tumor patients to identify biomarkers of treatment response, to reduce therapy-related side effects, to discover mechanisms underlying this treatment modality, and to identify modes of treatment resistance. The findings may support the design of improved immunotherapeutic strategies for tumor patients. Currently, we perform immune monitoring for various preclinical and immunotherapy-based clinical studies enrolling patients with colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular and cholangiocellular carcinoma, melanoma, acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

Comprehensive analysis of the frequency, phenotype, and functional properties of various immune cell subsets (dendritic cells, T cells, natural killer cells, monocytes/macrophages, B cells) in blood, bone marrow, and tumor tissues of patients by using multi-parameter flow cytometry, FACS-based single cell sorting, and transcriptome profiling.
Evaluation of the frequency, phenotype, and functional capabilities of peptide-specific and tumor-reactive T cells by using flow cytometry, ELISA, ELISpot, radioactivity assays (Cr⁵¹/³H-Thymidine), cloning, and TCR sequencing.
Analysis of the composition and spatial distribution of various immune cell subsets within the bone marrow and tumor tissue samples. Therefore, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence multiplex staining are performed and analyzed by using the Vectra automated quantitative pathology imaging platform.
Detection and quantification of multiple proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines as well as soluble checkpoint molecules in sera of tumor patients by using the Luminex^TM technology.

For more information visit the Immune Monitoring DKTK website.