Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung awards seven Else Kröner Excellence Fellowships to outstanding physicians professionally involved in both research and clinic. A two-year leave of absence from clinical duties enables them to provide impetus to a promising medical research project.
The following fellowship applicants have asserted themselves successfully:
PD Dr. Keno Bressem, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, German Heart Center, TUM University Hospital
Project: MRI-Based Muscle Phenotyping: Predicting cardiovascular, metabolic, and pain outcomes
This project makes use of artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze MRI scans of musculature. The targeted goal is to explore the correlation between muscle health and the risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and chronic back pain. Assessing muscle mass and quality, especially fat content, is intended to result in the discovery of new biomarkers. They, in turn, could make better prevention and early detection possible in the future. To accomplish this, data from large-scale studies will be combined with innovative methods of AI image analysis. The findings could contribute to more individualized and more effective prevention strategies, thus improving public health.
PD Dr. Judith S. Hecker, Dept. of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, TUM University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich
Project: Investigating the Role of Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential (CHIP) in the Human Aging Process and Diseases: Integration of genetic, clinical and AI-enhanced approaches
Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is a significant age-driven phenomenon in which mutations in blood cells occur in what, from a hematological perspective, would otherwise be healthy individuals. In its characterization as the over-reprepresentation of blood cells derived from a single clone, CHIP is viewed as a risk factor for both hematological and non-hematological disorders, which is why the CHIP Clinic TUM and the association “Deutsche CHIP Register e. V.” were founded. The aim of these initiatives is to acquire new insights regarding clonal dynamics and risk factors by expanding the CHIP cohort and through prospective nationwide data pooling in Germany. Personalized monitoring strategies are intended to be developed with the help of artificial intelligence and the therapeutic outcomes for individuals with CHIP improved – particularly within the context of new immunotherapies.
Dr. Kai-Uwe Jarr, Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Heidelberg University Hospital
Project: Immune Checkpoint Therapy in Atherosclerosis
Immune checkpoints are receptors that modulate immunological self-tolerance, in other words the ability of the immune system to identify the body’s own cells. This new class of therapeutics has already revolutionized immuno-oncology. Meanwhile, it is now known that an immune checkpoint therapy also shows promising findings in the event of cardiovascular diseases. This project is intended to investigate the translational potential of a modulation in an immune checkpoint in cardiovascular diseases.
Dr. Katharina Sahm, Dept. of Neurology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg
Project: Developing an Immunotherapy for Diffuse Midline Gliomas
Malignant brain tumors such as diffuse midline gliomas are among the most aggressive brain tumors, because they frequently respond insufficiently to such well-established treatment methods as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Due to specific attributes of the tumor cells, diffuse midline gliomas can in principle be detected and combated by the human immune system. The aim of this project is to produce immune cells in the laboratory that are targeted against the brain tumor and can subsequently be administered to patients with diffuse midline gliomas via adoptive cell transfer.
PD Dr. Philipp Sievers, Institute of Pathology, Dept. of Neuropathology, Heidelberg University Hospital
Project: Decoding the Tumor Evolution and Investigating the Factors Influencing Relapse and Progression in Pediatric Low-Grade Gliomas
The project aims to gain a better understanding of the development of low-grade gliomas, the most frequently occurring brain tumors in children. Despite their mainly low aggressiveness, these tumors vary greatly and are difficult to treat, which often leads to relapses and long-term complications. Intended is to investigate how these tumors evolve over time by employing the innovative technology of single-cell sequencing, particularly with regard to their response to therapies. In the process, biological changes and mechanisms will be explored that lead to the progression of tumors and drug resistance. The goal is to develop more personalized and more effective methods of treatment, and consequently improve the quality of life for affected children.
PD Dr. Dr. Jens Spiesshoefer, Medical Clinic V, Dept. of Pneumology and Internal Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Aachen - RWTH Aachen
Project: First Longitudinal Human Gold-Standard Data on the Development and Pathophysiology of a Diaphragm Atrophy and Dysfunction as Quantifiiable Key Determinant of Prolonged Weaning in Invasively Ventilated Patients on the Intensive Care Unit
Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD) describes the impairment of the respiratory muscles due to treatment with ventilation and is regarded with a frequency of 23-80 % as main factor for a more difficult and prolonged weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation. To date there are not yet any longitudinal data acquired via gold-standard measurements on the progression, extent, mechanisms, and especially on a possible regeneration following termination of the ventilation. This project is called upon to use the gold standard for diaphragm strength assessment in order to determine the extent of VIDD development through repeated measurements and make this usable as progression parameter. It could improve ventilation and weaning worldwide.
PD Dr. Dominik Sturm, Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg
Project: Molecular Risk Stratification of Low- and High-Grade Gliomas in Children and Adolescents
Gliomas are the most common brain tumors in children and adolescents. They can be harmless or life-threatening, despite intensive treatment. Until now the treatment is often decided based on symptoms and imaging techniques, even though changes in the genetic makeup of tumor cells provide valuable indications of the tumor biology. In this project it will be explored how features in the tumor genome of gliomas can be used to predict disease progression more precisely and tailor the treatment better to the individual tumor. The data from more than 1,500 young patients stemming from different long-term studies are going to be analyzed and molecularly defined risk groups developed to achieve this. The goal is to compile, draft and work out new, more precise recommendations for treatment that flow directly into clinical trials.