Wir überwinden Grenzen

Study by the Medical Center - University of Freiburg aims to improve the chances of cure for aggressive brain lymphomas / Study centers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Lymphomas of the brain are often particularly aggressive and fast-growing tumors, occurring predominantly in older people and leading to death within weeks or a few months if left untreated. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research is now funding a study led by the Medical Center - University of Freiburg with 3.1 million euros that has the potential to fundamentally change the treatment of these patients. Instead of chemotherapy alone, more intensive chemotherapy that also includes the transfer of the patient's own blood stem cells is being used. The aim is to improve the cure rate and quality of life for those affected. The study is being conducted at 42 centers in Germany and other centers in Austria and Switzerland in close cooperation with representatives of self-help groups.

More effective therapy against aggressive brain tumors

Patients with primary lymphoma of the brain often face a dilemma. Conventional chemotherapy rarely leads to success. Cure would be possible with intensive chemotherapy, but this is usually too strenuous for older patients. This is why the PRIMA-CNS study, led by the Department of Medicine I (Medical Director: Prof. Dr. Justus Duyster) at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, is taking a different approach. The brain tumor patients receive a shorter, high-dose chemo-immunotherapy, followed by an autologous transplantation of the patient's own blood stem cells. These steps first destroy the out-of-control white blood cells and then replace them.

"Our studies to date show that the new therapeutic approach leads to better chances of recovery and a higher quality of life. We also hope that in future it will be possible to successfully treat patients for whom the current therapy is too burdensome," says project leader PD Dr. Elisabeth Schorb, senior physician at the Department of Medicine I at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. A total of 310 patients are to be included in the phase 3 study.

"The approval of the study clearly demonstrates Freiburg's innovative power and research strength in cancer medicine. I am very pleased that this promising project was able to prevail in the competition for funding," says Prof. Dr. Lutz Hein, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg and member of the Board of the Medical Center of Freiburg.

Contact:
PD Dr. Elisabeth Schorb
Senior Physician and Head of Clinical Trials Center and Early Clinical Trials Unit
Department of Medicine I (Specialty: Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation)
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-35360