RFA 2d: Cancer

Speaker: Prof. Nettersheim

Deputy: Prof. Stoecklein

This research focus investigates solid and hematological tumors as well as their precursors. The research groups address key cancer mechanisms, such as tumor initiation, progression, microenvironment interactions, biomarker identification, therapy development, and resistance mechanisms.

Beyond standard DNA-, RNA-, and protein-based methods, they employ advanced in vitro (2D / 3D), in vivo, and ex vivo models, along with single-cell and spatial multi-omics (DNA / RNA sequencing, transcriptomics), mass spectrometry-based proteomics, multiplex immunostaining, and high-resolution imaging. Innovative approaches include organoid-based drug screening, AI-driven analysis, and liquid biopsies (CTCs, ctDNA), as well as targeted molecular and immune-based therapies.

This interdisciplinary framework enhances the understanding of tumor heterogeneity, paving the way for more precise diagnostics and personalized treatments across various cancer types and stages.

Associated research group leaders

Prof. Borkhardt, Arndt

Pediatric oncology, hematology and clinical immunology

Topic: Die Rolle des MLL/ENL-Fusionsgens bei der Leukämie-Entstehung

BMFZ Member

Prof. Dr. Arndt Borkhardt

Universitätsklinikum Kinderklinik
Klinik für Pädiatrische Onkologie u. Hämatologie
Moorenstr. 5
40225 Düsseldorf

+49 211 81-17680
+49 211 81-16707
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Prof. Dietrich, Sascha

Department of Oncology, Haematology and Clinical Immunology

Topic: Resistance mechanisms and therapy stratification of hematologic neoplasms

BMFZ Member

Prof. Dr. med. Sascha Dietrich

Department of Oncology, Haematology and Clinical Immunology
Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf
Moorenstr. 5
40225 Düsseldorf

+49 211 81-17720
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Prof. Esposito, Irene

Pathology

Topic: Integrative morphomolecular analysis of precursors of pancreatobiliary cancers and their microenvironement

Institut für Pathologie - Direktorin

Univ. Prof. Dr. Irene Esposito

+49 211 81-1 83 39
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Prof. Fehm, Tanja

Gynecological Clinic

Topic: Nachweis und Charakterisierung disseminierter und zirkulierender Tumorzellen beim Ovarialkarzinom zur Etablierung und Optimierung neuer zielgerichteter Therapiestrategien

BMFZ Member

Prof. Dr. Tanja Fehm

Klinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe
Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf
Moorenstr. 5
40225 Düsseldorf

+49 211 81-17501
+49 211 81-18483
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Prof. Geerling, Gerd

Clinic for Ophthalmology

Topic: Entwicklung, Charakterisierung und Anwendung von Biopolymerfilmen auf Basis von Haarkeratin als transferable Substrate zur Rekonstruktion der Augenoberfläche

BMFZ Member

Prof. Dr. Gerd Geerling

Klinik für Augenheilkunde
Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf
Moorenstr. 5
40225 Düsseldorf

+49 211 81-17320
+49 211 81-16298
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PD Dr. Hoffmann, Michèle

Urology Clinic, Urinary Bladder Cancer Working Group

Topic: New combination therapies to overcome resistance in urothelial carcinoma

BMFZ Member

PD Dr. Michèle Hoffmann

Urologische Klinik
AG Harnblasenkarzinom
Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf
Moorenstr. 5
40225 Düsseldorf

+49 211 81-06716
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Prof. Meisel, Roland

Clinic for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology
Pediatric stem cell therapy

Topic: Identification of stromal cell-mediated effects on leukemogenesis to identify potential therapeutic targets

Prof. Dr. med. Roland Meisel

Stellvertretender Klinikdirektor, Leiter des Bereichs Pädiatrische Stammzelltherapie Facharzt für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Schwerpunkt Kinder-Hämatologie und -Onkologie

+49 (0) 211 81 19297
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Prof. Nettersheim, Daniel

Urological research laboratory

Topic: Investigation of molecular biological development mechanisms of urological malignancies and their microenvironment interaction, new therapy options and cisplatin resistance