Oncological study group
Main Fields of Research
The focus of our translational and basic research is studying how to modulate the immune system for better outcome of skin cancer with immuno-therapies and to optimize management of immune-related side effects (irAE). We compare autoimmunity in this context with autoimmune disease and characterize the respective pathomechanisms. Within a translational research project, we determine factors for checkpoint inhibitor resistance and assess how resistance can be overcome. Within our biomarker research we try to establish prognostic and predictive biomarkers. Importantly, we identified a gene expression signature in primary melanoma tumors for assessment of risk of formation of metastases. We also investigate the mechanisms by which the microbiome modulates response and toxicity in cancer patients.
Prof. Lucie Heinzerling,
MD, MPH
Larissa Akçetin, MD
Naghmeh Azadfar, Msc
Dagmar Dick, technician
Laura Engels, MD
Anne Gürtler, MD
Claudia Kammerbauer, technician
Sonja Maier, study coordinator
Farnaz Rahimi, MD
Cristel Ruini, MD
Suzanna Salzer, MD
Irina Schnaitter, nurse
Christine Straßer, study coordinator
Alexandra Walter, MD
» Daillère R, Derosa L, Bonvalet M, Segata N, Routy B, Gariboldi M, Budinská E, De Vries IJM, Naccarati AG, Zitvogel V, Caldas C, Engstrand L, Loilbl S, Fieschi J, Heinzerling L, Kroemer G, Zitvogel L (2020) Trial watch: the gut microbiota as a tool to boost the clinical efficacy of anticancer immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology 9(1):1774298
» Garbe C, Keim U, Suciu S, Amaral T, Eigentler TK, Gesierich A, Hauschild A, Heinzerling L, Kiecker F, Schadendorf D, Stadler R, Sunderkötter C, Tüting T, Utikal J, Wollina U, Zouboulis CC, Keilholz U, Testori A, Martus P, Leiter U, Eggermont AMM German Central Malignant Melanoma Registry and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (2020) Prognosis of Patients With Stage III Melanoma According to American Joint Committee on Cancer Version 8: A Reassessment on the Basis of 3 Independent Stage III Melanoma Cohorts. J Clin Oncol 38(22):2543-51
» Zhang L, Zlotoff DA, Awadalla M, Mahmood SS, Nohria A, Hassan MZO, Thuny F, Zubiri L, Chen CL, Sullivan RJ, Alvi RM, Rokicki A, Murphy SP, Jones-O‘Connor M, Heinzerling LM, Barac A, Forrestal BJ, Yang EH, Gupta D, Kirchberger MC, Shah SP, Rizvi MA, Sahni G, Mandawat A, Mahmoudi M, Ganatra S, Ederhy S, Zatarain-Nicolas E, Groarke JD, Tocchetti CG, Lyon AR, Thavendiranathan P, Cohen JV, Reynolds KL, Fradley MG, Neilan TG (2020) Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and the Timing and Dose of Corticosteroids in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Myocarditis. Circulation 141(24):2031-34 3
» Heinzerling L, Eigentler TK, Fluck M, Hassel JC, Heller-Schenck D, Leipe J, Pauschinger M, Vogel A, Zimmer L, Gutzmer R (2019) Tolerability of BRAF/MEK inhibitor combinations: Adverse event evaluation and management. ESMO Open, 4(3),e000491
» Kirchberger MC, Ugurel S, Mangana J, Heppt MV, Eigentler TK, Berking C, Schadendorf D, Schuler G, Dummer R, Heinzerling L (2018) MEK inhibition may increase survival of NRAS-mutated melanoma patients treated with checkpoint blockade: Results of a retrospective multicenter analysis of 364 patients. Eur J Cancer, 98:10-6