hu wissen (pdf) - Exzellenzinitiative - Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

All over the world
scientists are trying to track down the molecular fl aws that trigger
cancer. In Germany researchers at Charité-Universitätsmedizin
Berlin are at the forefront of this eff ort. »The close proximity to the
hospital, the large number of patients, and the numerous studies
enable us not only to uncover the mechanisms of carcinogenesis in
the laboratory, but also to fi nd out what eff ect these mechanisms
have on the patients,« explains Clemens Schmitt, Director of the
Molecular Cancer Research Centre (MKFZ). The scientists at the
Centre on the Rudolf Virchow Campus are studying the molecular
causes of diff erent types of cancer, primarily »sick« genes, called
oncogenes. In particular, they are focusing on leukaemias, lymph
node cancer and tumours in the gastrointestinal tract.
It is essential for their research that patients are near the
laboratory. »Bench to bedside and bedside to bench’ has become
a key phrase in modern cancer research. It means that the latest
research fi ndings are checked more quickly in the clinical environment
and swi� ly harnessed for the patients’ benefi t – for example
as a new markers, or even new therapeutic options. Conversely,
close interaction between patient care and research means that
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the clinically most pressing problems are understood by researchexperienced
physicians in such a way that they can address the
relevant issues experimentally in the laboratory – and in turn benefi
t the patient as quickly as possible. The experts call this »translational
research«. Only recently, eight university hospitals across
Germany got together to form a powerful network, the German
Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), in which
the partners jointly conduct research on improving diagnostics
and developing new therapeutic strategies. Charité Hospital was
selected to be one of them in a national competition.
Here is an example of how patient-oriented cancer research
works. The scientists from the Molecular Cancer Research Centre
have characterized hitherto unknown molecular subgroups of
lymph node cancer using tissue samples from many people who
are suff ering from the disease. In further studies, they have found
out that each of these groups has typical, mutually distinct genetic
defects. These are now being attacked with conventional and
newly developed drugs in clinical trials. »Targeted therapy« is the
catchphrase used here. »In the future, individualized treatments