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70-80% of newly diagnosed breast tumors account for hormone receptor positive breast cancer (also known as luminal breast cancer). The histologic grade of luminal breast cancer is often determined by semi-quantitative methods describing morphologic features related to the differentiation states of the tumor specimen. In order to make a clear-cut classification of luminal breast cancer as either “grade 1” (= low risk) or “grade 3” (= high risk) tumors, DKFZ researchers have developed a 3-protein marker set.

This technology was achieved by a cooperation between McGill University and DKFZ. Brain tumours, such as the highly aggressive glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are currently the leading cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity in children. Current diagnosis of brain cancers involve MRI, PET and CT scans, angiographies, followed by biopsies performed either during the resection of the tumor or as a separate procedure via a burr hole. A blood-based test would provide a more economical, i.e accessible and less invasive diagnostic tool. The GBM specific biomarker has been patented and is available for licensing i.e. for companion diagnostics.

The here presented technology provides an apparatus for 4Pi STED which allows to generate a three-dimensional light intensity distribution comprising a very steep light intensity gradient between the areas of minimum and maximum light intensity.

Labeled oligonucleotides are used in research and for diagnostic, therapeutic and industrial applications. Researchers from the DKFZ and the Heidelberg University developed a fast method for post-synthetic multiple orthogonal labeling of oligonucleotides by combining the inverse Diels-Alder reaction with the well-known copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition.

Endostatin is an antiangiogenic protein first discovered in Folkman's laboratory at Childrens Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Boston. The antitumor properties of this protein are well established. Nowever, the amount of protein required for injection in patients was beyond production feasibility due to the poor pharmacokinetics of endostatin monomer. We have shown that the problem of poor pharmacokinetics can be solved by using the Fc domain of IgG being conjugated to endostatin, a component of all monoclonal antibodies approved for patients with a number of diseases including cancer. As a result of employing Fc-endostatin, the half-life in mice was increased to 2 weeks instead of 2 hours for endostatin alone, consistent with pharmacokinetics of monoclonal antibodies.

Efficient treatment strategy based on antigen-armed antibodies (AgAbs). After AgAb treatment Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell lines and various Burkitt’s lymphoma cell lines were able to present antigens that efficiently induce T cell activation.