Targeted treatment of soft tissue sarcomas
Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation funds research project on the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg with 400,000 euros
Soft tissue sarcomas are malignant tumors in muscle, fat, connective or nerve tissue. They often grow aggressively and form metastases early on, while at the same time responding very differently to existing therapies. A research project at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg will therefore provide new insights into tumor activity during radiotherapy and help to develop individual therapy concepts. The Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation is funding the project from July 1, 2024 with around 400,000 euros for the next three years.
"We want to take an important step in the personalized treatment of soft tissue sarcomas," says Dr. Alexander Runkel, project and research group leader at the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and recipient of a Berta Ottenstein Fellowship from the Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg. The aim of his research project is therefore to precisely monitor the condition of the tumor during radiotherapy by combining new imaging and molecular biological methods, thus providing a basis for important treatment decisions.
Important data for individual therapy concepts
High-grade soft tissue sarcomas are usually treated surgically, accompanied by neoadjuvant radiotherapy (NRT). This is a form of radiotherapy that is carried out before a planned operation. Its main aim is to reduce the likelihood of tumor recurrence and create the conditions for more effective surgical removal by damaging and shrinking the tumor. However, NRT carries risks such as increased tumor burden or early formation of metastases. "If we learn more about which tumours respond well to radiotherapy and which don't, we can better tailor treatment to the needs of patients and minimize potential risks," says Runkel. This should improve the quality of life of patients with soft tissue sarcomas and reduce the mortality rate.
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