"Leverkusen hilft krebskranken Kindern e.V." supports research projects on childhood tumors with 200,000 euros

Despite considerable therapeutic progress, cancer is still one of the leading causes of death among children in Germany. Research into the molecular basis of tumors in children is essential in order to develop new treatment approaches and thus improve the chances of curing children suffering from cancer.

The Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology at the University Hospital of Cologne led by Professor Fischer is extremely pleased to receive this generous donation of 200.000 € from the association "Leverkusen hilft krebskranken Kindern e.V.". 

The 200,000 euros will be used for two projects:

• First, the purchase of a state-of-the-art microscope will improve the laboratory's technical equipment. This will significantly improve the assessment of molecular changes in cancer cells - both in diagnostics and in research projects.
• Secondly, supporting a project on the role of the immune system in the progression of neuroblastoma to provide new insights into the tumor biology.

The study of neuroblastoma, one of the most common tumors in children, presents a particular focus of the Experimental Pediatric Oncology. Approximately half of all children with neuroblastoma have a highly aggressive disease, which often cannot be cured despite intensive therapy. The aim of the research team is to gain a better understanding of the basic molecular mechanisms leading to the development of neuroblastoma. "Findings from this research activities could be used to establish innovative strategies to establish new diagnostic and treatment approaches for neuroblastoma patients suffering with particularly aggressive forms of this disease” comments Professor Fischer, Head of the Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology at the University Hospital of Cologne and Principal Investigator at the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC).

"The regular funding from ´Leverkusen hilft krebskranken Kindern e.V.` is an invaluable support for our research work. We are extremely grateful to the organization and its board members for their ongoing commitment to our young patients," said Professor Dr Matthias Fischer.

This article is based on the news presented by press and communications team of the University Hospital Cologne (original version here) and has been modified by the CMMC Communication Team (K. Heber & D. Grosskopf-Kroiher).