Oxygenation and respiratory function of tumors

The main objective is to identify frequency, prognostic impact and treatment-related changes of hypoxia in tumors (mainly head&neck cancers and cervical carcinomas). Major questions concern the impact of hemoglobin on oxygenation, the association of hypoxia with the biological behaviour of a tumor (apoptotic and metastatic potential, gene expression, vascularistaion and expression of angiogenic cytokines like VEGF) and mechanisms to overcome hypoxia, e.g. by hyperbaric oxygenation. This work is in part supported by a grant of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Thomas Kuhnt, e-mail: thomas.kuhnt@medizin.uni-halle.de

Dr. Gabriele Hänsgen, e-mail: gabriele.haensgen@medizin.uni-halle.de

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Dunst, e-mail: juergen.dunst@medizin.uni-halle.de

Normal tissue radiosensitivity testing

Radiation sensitivity of normal tissue is a complex pheneomenon in which multiple genes are involved. About 5% of patients undergoing definitive high dose radiotherapy may develop severe radiation reactions of normal tissue. It is assumed that one reason for developing radiation sequelae might be a increased intrinsic (genetically determined) radiosensitivity in these patients. This hypothesis is tested by investigating the normal tissue radiosensitivity in patients with radiation complications by using the comet-assay. The work is supported by a grant of the Land Sachsen-Anhalt.

For further information, please contact:

Arndt-Christian Müller, e-mail: arndt.Mueller@medizin.uni-halle.de

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Dunst, e-mail: juergen.dunst@medizin.uni-halle.de

Cellular radiosensitivity and p53-status

The p53-gene is involved in cell-cycle control and sensitivity to X-irradiation. Ist impact on radiation-induced damage and repair is investigated in cell lines with different p53-status. This work is supported by a grant of the Land Sachsen-Anhalt.

For further information, please contact:

Matthias Bache, e-mail: matthias.bache@medizin.uni-halle.de

Simultaneous radiochemotherapy

The clinic conducts several phase-I-III clinical trials and is also actively participating in numerous nationwide randomized trials.

For further information, please contact:

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Dunst, e-mail: juergen.dunst@medizin.uni-halle.de

Radiation therapy in Ewing tumors

The clinic is the radiotherapeutic reference center for the multinational EICESS-92 and Euro-Ewing-2000 study of the German Society for Pediatric Oncology.

For further information, please contact:

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Dunst, e-mail: juergen.dunst@medizin.uni-halle.de

Dr. Christine Richter, e-mail: christine.richter@medizin.uni-halle.de

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) induced by ionizing radiation

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) play a critical role in the subcellular effects of ionizing radiation. They are mitochondria- associated and linked to glutathione and the redox-system. In Cooperation with the Laboratory of Radiation Oncology at Harvard, Boston, USA; the Gray Laboratory, London, UK, and the Department of Solid State Physics at the University of Leipzig a research on this field is started.

Dr. Judith M. Tanner, e-mail: judith.tanner@medizin.uni-halle.de