Resources

Technology Platform 3 Tumor Models benefits from extensive resources that built up by the Georg Speyer Haus (GSH) and the University Hospital. A comprehensive organoid biobank (headed by Henner Farin) for colon carcinomas exists at the GSH, which aims to establish non-transformed colon organoids, tumor organoids, and the corresponding tumor-associated fibroblast lines from each patient. Organoids as well as tumor tissues are molecularly extensively characterized, both at the level of transcriptome and proteome. In addition to an organoid biobank for colon carcinomas, biobanks for rectal carcinomas (Florian Greten), pancreatic carcinomas (Canan Arkan), as well as head and neck tumors (Christian Issing), ovarian carcinomas (Klaus Strebhardt) and neuro-oncological organoids (Ann-Christin Hau/Karl H. Plate) are currently being established. The close interaction with the tumor biobank at UCT and the DKTK permits anticipation of treatment effects on patients at an early stage and to obtain decisive information for further development.

Moreover, numerous new mouse models are established and further developed at GSH, which very well reflect the complex pathology of human tumors (PDX models). In this context, the diagnostic options for small animals have been significantly expanded, so tumor-bearing mice can be examined by means of bioluminescence, magnetic resonance imaging, mini-endoscopy and in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Corresponding tumor models can also be applied to multimodal therapeutic approaches using the recently established CT-supported small animal irradiation facility.