Klinik für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie

What we do

The focus of our group is the understanding of the immunological underpinnings in metastasized stage 4 colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant health concern globally, ranking as the second most common cancer in women and the third most common in men. While localized CRC can often be effectively treated, metastatic CRC, particularly with peritoneal involvement, remains a major cause of mortality. Understanding the complex process of metastasis, including the distinct tumor microenvironments in different metastatic sites, is crucial for developing effective treatments. Advanced peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), characterized by limited treatment options and poor survival rates, is often associated with a mesenchymal subtype driven by cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Our research focuses on unraveling the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying CRC metastasis to develop novel therapeutic strategies.

Methods
State-of-the-Art mouse models, organoid systems (human and murine), co-culture systems, scTranscriptomics, spatialTranscriptomics, Metagenomics, Metabolomics, Biobanking, Clinical data analysis.
 

Collaborations

• F. Greten / Frankfurt                       
• P. Briquez und R. Reuten / Freiburg            
• A. Weigert / Frankfurt                                            
• R. Kesselring / Freiburg                   
• R. Sankowski und M. Prinz / Freiburg                     
• K.H. Plate / Frankfurt           
• B. Bengsch / Freiburg                                  
• A. Tasdogan / Essen                                    
• O. Groß / Freiburg                                       
• M. Neurath und E. Naschberger / Erlangen
• M. Börries / Freiburg

Lab Members

• Christopher Berlin, MD, PhD (PI)
• Luisa Schäfer, MD (clinician scientist)
• Christian Hillebrecht, MD (clinician scientist)
• Lisa Marx (Postdoc)
• Celine Enderle (technical assistant)
• Fabiola Gjoka (study nurse)
• Luis Klimpe (cand. Dr. med.)  MOTI-VATE
• Naomi Rühl (cand. Dr. med.)
• Zacharias Zander (cand. Dr. med.)
• Melissa Benz (cand. Dr. med. dent.)
• Wencke Grütter (cand. Dr. med. dent.)

We are associated to the Kesselring Group, located at ZTZ Freiburg

Translational Studies

REBALANCE

FREEZE BIOBANK

Recent Publications

1. Berlin C, Mauerer B, Cauchy P, Luenstedt J, Sankowski R, Marx L, Feuerstein R, Schaefer L, Greten FR, Pesic M, Groß O, Prinz M, Ruehl N, Miketiuk L, Jauch D, Laessle C, Jud A, Biesel EA, Neeff H, Fichtner-Feigl S, Holzner PA, Kesselring R. Single-cell deconvolution reveals high lineage- and location-dependent heterogeneity in mesenchymal multivisceral stage 4 colorectal cancer. J Clin Invest. 2023 Dec 28;134(5):e169576. doi: 10.1172/JCI169576. PMID: 38153787; PMCID: PMC10904044
    
2.  Berlin C, Cottard F, Willmann D, Urban S, Tirier SM, Marx L, Rippe K, Schmitt M, Petrocelli V, Greten FR, Fichtner-Feigl S, Kesselring R, Metzger E, Schüle R. KMT9 Controls Stemness and Growth of Colorectal Cancer. Cancer Res. 2022 Jan 15;82(2):210-220. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-21-1261. 
    
3. Neuwirt E, Magnani G, Ćiković T, Wöhrle S, Fischer L, Kostina A, Flemming S, Fischenich NJ, Saller BS, Gorka O, Renner S, Agarinis C, Parker CN, Boettcher A, Farady CJ, Kesselring R, Berlin C, Backofen R, Rodriguez-Franco M, Kreutz C, Prinz M, Tholen M, Reinheckel T, Ott T, Groß CJ, Jost PJ, Groß O. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors can activate the NLRP3 inflammasome in myeloid cells through lysosomal damage and cell lysis. Sci Signal. 2023 Jan 17;16(768):eabh1083. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.abh1083. Epub 2023 Jan 17. PMID: 36649377.

ORCID Link: 0000-0001-9727-1533

Are you interested?

Feel free to reach out if you're interested in pursuing a MD or PhD and exploring research opportunities in our field!