Junior Research Group

Translational Molecular Imaging in Oncologic Therapy Monitoring

  • Imaging and Radiooncology
  • DKFZ Hector Cancer Institute
  • Clinical Cooperation Unit
  • Junior Research Group
A smiling female doctor in a white lab coat stands with her arms crossed, leaning against a wooden countertop. She has long dark hair and wears glasses. The background features a bright, modern medical environment.

Priv. Doz. Dr. Freba Grawe

Group leader

Management of cancer patients can be challenging, especially when it comes to selecting the most suitable treatment that promises the best success with minimal side effects. To monitor treatment success, regular follow-up checks are conducted.

An anatomical scan displaying a human figure outlined in a medical imaging format. The image is labeled as "Long-axial field-of-view [18F]FDG-PET/CT," suggesting it is a diagnostic tool used in medical assessments.

Our Research

Molecular imaging plays a crucial role in this process. Radioactive substances are administered to the patient to visualize biological processes non-invasively using Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The combination of PET with Computed Tomography (PET/CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET/MRI) allows us to capture functional and morphological information simultaneously.

Our goal is to harness the capabilities of molecular imaging, especially PET, to translate research results into clinical practice. In our clinical cooperation unit, experts from various disciplines, including nuclear medicine physicians, radiologists, radiopharmacists, and medical physicists work together on the development and establishment of innovative PET tracers using cutting-edge technology such as the long-axial field-of-view PET/CT, PET/MRI, and photon-counting CT to advance personalized oncology. We aim to improve the early detection of cancer and precise prediction of therapy response for our patients. Our work represents a significant step toward precision medicine for oncology patients.

Projects

Flowchart illustrating medical diagnostic processes for lung conditions, including liquid biopsy, LAFO-PET/CT scans, and follow-up examinations. It highlights pathways for further diagnostics based on PET scan results, leading to additional biopsies and follow-up CT scans, culminating in a therapy decision based on findings.
Figure 1. Study overview of the PRINCIPLE Study. LAFOV-PET/CT: long-axial field-of-view Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography, FU: follow-up examination, PN: pulmonary nodule, LC: lung cancer, PCCT: photon-counting Computed Tomography

The aim of the PRINCIPLE study is to improve the early and precise characterization of pulmonary nodules through innovative, multimodal diagnostics.

State-of-the-art imaging technologies, such as the "long-axial field-of-view Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography" (LAFOV-PET/CT) and Photon-Counting Computed Tomography (PCCT), are combined with innovative molecular genetic analyses from both liquid and tissue biopsies. Artificial intelligence supports the detection of pulmonary nodules, image evaluation, and integration of multimodal examinations to precisely predict the malignancy of pulmonary nodules. The study overview is presented in Figure 1.

Patients with a pulmonary nodule between 6 and 30 mm without known cancer diagnosis in the past five years are eligible to participate in the study after consultation with a pulmonologist.

Fundings and Research Cooperations

The PRINCIPLE study is funded by the Hector Seed Funding 2024.

The PRINCIPLE study is supported by a research cooperation with Optellum.

The EPIC and THE-LUNG studies are funded by the DKFZ Management Board.

Logos of various organizations related to oncology and molecular imaging are displayed. The logos include dkfz, Hector Stiftung II, UMM, and Optellum. The image represents collaboration in cancer therapy monitoring and is associated with advancements in transformative molecular imaging.

Team

  • A smiling female doctor in a white lab coat stands with her arms crossed, leaning against a wooden countertop. She has long dark hair and wears glasses. The background features a bright, modern medical environment.

    Priv. Doz. Dr. Freba Grawe

    Group Leader

  • A smiling woman wearing a white lab coat stands near a wooden railing. She has curly hair tied back with a patterned scarf and is accessorized with glasses. Pens and a name tag are visible in her coat pocket, indicating a professional medical or scientific setting.

    Letizia Vella

    Lead MTRA

  • A healthcare professional in a white lab coat stands beside a wooden railing in a well-lit, modern medical facility. He has glasses and a thoughtful expression, suggesting a background in research or medicine. The environment is clean and minimalistic, emphasizing a professional atmosphere.

    Sergej Lossew

    MTRA

Selected Publications

2023 - European Radiology

Grawe F et al.

2023 - Cancer imaging : the official publication of the International Cancer Imaging Society 23(1): p. 41

Grawe F et al.

2023 - European Radiology 33(5): p. 3416-3424

Grawe F et al.

2023 - Cancer imaging : the official publication of the International Cancer Imaging Society

Fabritius MP et al. 

Get in touch with us

A smiling female doctor in a white lab coat stands with her arms crossed, leaning against a wooden countertop. She has long dark hair and wears glasses. The background features a bright, modern medical environment.

Priv. Doz. Dr. Freba Grawe

Group leader
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