DKTK News and Events RSS

A New Platform of Robust Patient-Derived AML Models for Translational Research

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:44:00 +0000

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer with a dismal prognosis. Therefore, researchers aim to identify new treatment options. However, as AML is a very heterogenic cancer, it is difficult to study this disease. Conventional leukemia cell lines are easy to grow, but often no longer reflect the biology of patients’ tumors, and many subtypes are not reflected at all by cell line models. In this study, researchers from the lab of Prof. Irmela Jeremias, LMU Munich, created serially transplantable and robust patient-derived xenograft (STAR-PDX) models. These were generated by transplanting patients’ leukemia cells into immunodeficient mice, where they grow in a physiological bone-marrow environment.

How cancer cells lose their most dangerous DNA

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 11:59:00 +0000

Aggressive tumors often contain large amounts of exchromosomal DNA. Removing this DNA from the nuclei of cancer cells could improve patient outcomes, an international team led by researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Max Delbrück Center reports in Nature Genetics.*

Awarding of the 4th Wilko Weichert Grant

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:49:00 +0000

The DKTK partner site Munich announces an annual call for the Wilko Weichert Grant to support an interdisciplinary project that fosters early-career researchers and involves collaboration between LMU University Hospital Munich and TUM University Hospital Rechts der Isar or their universities. In the 2026 review process, Dr. Sebastin Müller (Postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics at TUM University Hospital Rechts der Isar) impressed the reviewers with his project on decoding metastatic organotropism and adverse clinical outcome in PDAC through multimodal profiling. As the recipient of the 4th Wilko Weichert Grant, he will receive EUR 30,000 to support his research in 2027.

Experiencing Science in the Lab: DKTK Researchers Turn an ISH Placement into an Ambassador Activity

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:10:00 +0000

As part of the DKTK Ambassador Programme, the “Prevention and Liquid Biopsies” research group at German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) hosted two participants from the 2026 International Summer Science School Heidelberg (ISH) for a three-week research placement. This offered the participants the opportunity to gain insights in the field of cancer research and hands-on experience with liquid biopsy methods.

New vulnerability discovered in aggressive childhood brain tumors

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 13:42:00 +0000

Researchers at the Hopp Children’s Cancer Center in Heidelberg (KiTZ) and at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis have discovered a potential new vulnerability in medulloblastomas, the most common type of malignant brain tumor in children. The scientists found that a specific protein appears to help tumor cells remain in an immature state and continue to grow. When they inactivated this protein in laboratory experiments, the tumor cells grew significantly less. Tumor growth also slowed in mice. In the long term, these findings could contribute to the development of new targeted therapies for certain forms of medulloblastoma.

Award winners for the Dresden DZG-overarching projects 2026

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:40:00 +0000

The mission of the German Centres for Health Research (DZG) is to promote translational research to combat common diseases. There are four DZG centres in Dresden that work on diabetes, neurodegeneration, cancer, and child and adolescent health. By working together and finding common ground, scientists can strengthen medical research across disciplines and translate new findings more quickly to the clinic.

Immune Cells in Bone Marrow Cancer: Limited Defense Readiness

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 12:52:00 +0000

A team led by researchers from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the HI-STEM* Stem Cell Institute, the Medical Clinic V at Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Heidelberg has characterized T cells in the bone marrow in cases of multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia: A specific group of tumor-reactive T cells can recognize and, in principle, fight cancer cells, but is often not sufficiently activated. Nevertheless, the number of these cells influences the prognosis. A specific gene signature identifies the tumor-reactive T cells and could predict the success of immunotherapies.

Portal provides guidance on sharing genomic data

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:13:00 +0000

A new information portal, "Meine Genomdaten. Teilen und Helfen", is now available to provide clear, accessible information about the role of genomic data in medicine and research. The portal helps patients, their families, and other interested individuals explore the topic of sharing these sensitive data for research in an evidence-based way, supporting informed decision-making.

4. DZG Munich Day 2026: Health Research in Munich Working Together for the Medicine of Tomorrow

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:27:00 +0000

Scientific highlights, transdisciplinary research, and new collaborations will be the focus of DZG Munich Day on July 29, 2026. For the fourth time, the eight German Centers for Health Research (DZG) in Munich are inviting scientists at all career stages to learn about the latest research findings, exchange ideas across centers, and explore joint research strategies and innovative technologies.

Early-Career Researchers Advance Translational Cancer Research in Heidelberg

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:06:00 +0000

The Heidelberg PostDoc Symposium 2026 and the DKTK Young Academics Conference brought together over 100 early-career researchers for a day of scientific exchange at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). Eleven short talks, 20 poster presentations and two keynote lectures highlighted innovative approaches across the translational cancer research spectrum.

3 Questions for Florian Ingelfinger

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:14:00 +0000

Since April, Dr. Florian Ingelfinger has joined the DKTK partner site Freiburg as DKTK Young Investigator Group Leader for "Generative Single Cell Immunology". We are delighted to have him on board and asked 3 questions to get to know him better.

DKFZ Innovation Award and DKFZ Patient Expert Award Presented

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 10:19:00 +0000

The Friends of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) support the DKFZ and aim to help strengthen its position in the international arena. With the DKFZ Innovation Award, presented at this year’s annual reception, the association honors Helmut Salih, a researcher whose innovative work bridges the gap between immunological research and patient care. The DKFZ Patient Expert Award was also presented; this year’s recipient is Stephanie Houwaart for her long-standing commitment as a member of the DKFZ/DKTK Cancer Research Patient Advisory Board.

B-cell lymphoma: Cause of high-risk disease discovered

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:16:00 +0000

Researchers led by Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt and Goethe University Frankfurt, partner site Frankfurt/Mainz of the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), have identified how particularly aggressive forms of lymphoma can be recognized. By combining genetic and proteomic analyses, the scientists were able to identify biological characteristics of tumors, particularly in high-risk patients for whom standard therapy offers little chance of cure. In the future, such patients could receive alternative, more effective therapies directly. In addition, experimental laboratory research provided initial clues to potential therapeutic targets.

Vaccine Against Brain Tumors Shows Promising Long-Term Results

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:58:00 +0000

A novel vaccination strategy against certain malignant brain tumors could fundamentally improve treatment for patients. Researchers from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Mannheim University Medical Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, and numerous partner institutions, including the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), have published encouraging long-term results from a clinical trial involving a vaccine that activates the immune system against a common genetic mutation in these tumors.

Shalini Saxena new Interim Administrative Director

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:48:00 +0000

As of July 1, 2026, Shalini Saxena assumed the role of Administrative Director of the DKFZ on an interim basis. She succeeds Ursula Weyrich, who is moving to ZDF (Second German Television) in Mainz.

Double ERC Success for DKFZ Researchers

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:42:00 +0000

Through its “Proof of Concept” (PoC) grants, the European Research Council (ERC) supports scientists in further developing the economic potential of their research findings. In 2026, two scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) were once again selected to receive this prestigious funding: Moritz Mall is developing a gene therapy designed to make dangerous brain tumor cells sensitive to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Chong Sun, also scientist at the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Heidelberg, is able, for the first time, to observe in real time which cellular proteins interact with drugs – and aims to advance drug discovery with this approach.

ERC Advanced Grants for Dieter Saur and Aurelio Teleman

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:55:00 +0000

The European Research Council (ERC) supports visionary projects in basic research through its “Advanced Grants.” This year, the Council awarded a grant to cancer researcher and physician Dieter Saur from the DKTK Munich* site, who is investigating why immunotherapies against pancreatic cancer are often ineffective today and developing ways to make them more efficacious. Aurelio Teleman, a metabolism expert at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), is tackling one of the fundamental questions of developmental biology with his ERC project: How do animals control their growth and size?

AI Diagnoses Brain Tumors in Minutes Instead of Weeks

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:31:00 +0000

Experts in Heidelberg have developed an AI system that can classify brain tumors with unprecedented accuracy using standard microscopic tissue sections. Using digitized standard stains, the system identifies more than 100 molecular subtypes of central nervous system tumors, delivers results within minutes, and could accelerate the diagnosis of brain tumors worldwide.

Translational research on Diabetes, Cancer, Neurodegenerative Diseases and Child and Adolescent Health – The 8th Joint Dresden DZG Symposium Goes from Strength to Strength

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:31:00 +0000

The German Centers for Health Research (DZG) are a group of eight research centers with institutes spread across Germany that are tasked by the German government to combat common diseases. Their shared goal is to transfer scientific research more quickly into medical practice. There are four DZG institutes in Dresden: the Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID) of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), and the German Center for Child and Adolescent Health (DZKJ). On May 11th, 2026, the 8th Joint DZG Symposium took place, giving participants the opportunity to learn about the health research happening in Dresden and to foster collaborations between the local institutes of the DZG

13th Munich Cancer Retreat

Fri, 29 May 2026 11:44:00 +0000

The 13th Munich Cancer Retreat (MCR13), held on May 19-20, 2026 at the Evangelische Akademie Tutzing, once again brought together scientists, clinicians, physician scientists, and early career researchers from the DKTK partner site Munich for two days of scientific exchange and interdisciplinary networking.