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Medical Center - University of Freiburg relies on modern methylome analysis for more precise determination of soft tissue tumors

The Center for Pathology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg is using a new method that allows tumor tissue to be examined in particular detail. With the help of methylome analysis, rare soft tissue tumors in particular can be better identified and classified. This helps to select the appropriate treatment in a more targeted manner. The Medical Center - University of Freiburg is one of the few institutions in Germany that already uses this modern diagnostic method in everyday clinical practice.

"Methylation analysis provides us with important additional information that can help us to characterize soft tissue tumours more precisely and thus optimize treatment planning," explains Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Martin Werner, Medical Director of the Center for Pathology. "In the future, the procedure could also be helpful for other types of tumors, for example in the brain.

More precise examination by looking at the genetic material

The new analysis not only examines whether the genetic material - i.e. the DNA - in tumor cells has changed, but also how certain areas of this DNA are regulated. These so-called methylations control whether genes are switched on or off. Changes in these patterns can indicate what type of tumor is involved.

The examination is carried out using a so-called methylome chip: The tumor DNA is applied to a special carrier plate that contains hundreds of thousands of measuring points. This allows a detailed methylation pattern to be created, which is analyzed by computer and compared with reference data.

Particularly in the case of rare tumors or tumors that are difficult to classify, the method provides important additional information that was not available with previous methods. Methylome analysis therefore helps to ensure that patients receive a reliable diagnosis more quickly and therefore a more targeted therapy.

Caption: An employee of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg holds a methylome chip that is used for the analysis of epigenetic changes in tumor tissue.
Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg