Preclinical Modeling

Our "Preclinical Modelling" research group, also based at the KiTZ, focuses on establishing novel combinatorial therapy approaches against pediatric high-grade gliomas using state-of-the-art tumor spheroid cultures and in vivo models. 

We utilize somatic gene delivery to induce targeted genetic changes directly in the murine brain. This allows us to rapidly test different combinations of genetic alterations identified in related patient samples. The resulting tumors represent novel, immunocompetent models, which we use to understand tumor development and to assess new therapeutic approaches.

Our main focus lies in the establishment of experimental treatments and innovative combination therapies. This includes high-throughput in vitro screens for novel radiosensitizers, upfront combinations of radiation and targeted inhibitors, analysis of the tumor microenvironment and immunotherapies as well as experimental gene therapies using nanocapsules. Our aim is to reveal synergistic interactions between the different treatment modalities and to ultimately establish efficacious, multimodal therapy approaches for pediatric high-grade gliomas.