In numerous projects with clinical partners, the group has used its extensive experience with global microarray analyses in the identification and validation of markers for molecular tumor classification. The group’s collaborative research on prostate cancer with clinical partners in Hamburg has become its main focus. The identification of a gene signature that was able to predict the presence of prostate cancer in tumor-free biopsies of patients is currently being corroborated in the NGFN Genome Network on PROSTATE CANCER coordinated by Holger Sültmann. In recent years, the group has sustained its knowledge in the analysis of high-throughput gene expression data and its characterization of gene function using cell-based assays and proteomic analyses.

To translate research into clinical practice, the group aims to identify miRNA signatures for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer, to extend these efforts to the analysis of DNA and miRNA in body fluids, and to integrate the search for novel biomarkers into future clinical studies at NCT.

• indicated that prostate cancer can be detected in patient biopsies containing only normal prostate tissues (Eur Urol 2009, 55:885-90).
• shown in a large meta analysis that prognostic stratification of breast cancer patients can be achieved by separating estrogen receptor and immune gene signatures (Breast Cancer Res Treat 2009, 116:69-77).
• identified a cell-junction gene signature as an important determinant distinguishing squamous cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma of the lung (Lung Cancer 2009, 63:32-8).
• performed a proof-of-principle study suggesting that lung cancer can be identified by the analysis of gene expression in cells sampled from endobronchial lining fluid (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surgery 2009, 138:474-9).
• made important contributions towards the establishment of protein arrays for quantification of signaling pathways in cells and tissues (Proteomics 2007, 7:558-64; J Pathol 2008, 216:225-35).
• identified molecular signatures associated with renal cell carcinoma subtypes in the largest microarray study on kidney cancer worldwide (Clin Cancer Res 2005, 11:646-55).

Calabrò A, Beissbarth T, Kuner R, Stojanov M, Benner A, Asslaber M, Ploner F, Zatloukal K, Samonigg H, Poustka A, Sültmann H: Effects of infiltrating lymphocytes and estrogen receptor on gene expression and prognosis in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2009, 116:69-77

Kuner R, Muley T, Meister M, Ruschhaupt M, Buness A, Xu EC, Schnabel P, Warth A, Poustka A, Sültmann H, Hoffmann H: Gene expression analysis of macrodissected non-small cell lung cancer samples suggests considerable molecular differences between histological subtypes. Lung Cancer 2009, 63:32-8

Schlomm T, Hellwinkel OJ, Buness A, Ruschhaupt M, Lübke AM, Chun FK, Simon R, Budäus L, Erbersdobler A, Graefen M, Huland H, Poustka A, Sültmann H: Molecular cancer phenotype in histologically normal prostate tissue. Eur Urol 2009, 55:885-90

Chui-Pressinotti N, Klocker H, Schäfer G, Luu VD, Fröhlich H, Kuner R, Poustka A, Bartsch G, Sültmann H: Differential expression of apoptotic genes PDIA3 and MAP3K5 distinguishes between low- and high-risk prostate cancer. Mol Cancer 2009, 8:130

Tel: ++49 6221 565934
Fax: ++49 6221 565382
Email: h.sueltmann@dkfz.de