Every year, NCT Heidelberg project teams can apply for funding from the "Donations for Cancer" program. A selection committee of experts from various disciplines assesses the applications submitted. After examination, research projects are selected to be funded with donations. This year, the selection committee has chosen three projects each from the fields of translational research and nursing care and counseling:
MIRROR - Mobile Illustrator of Radiotherapy course for Review, data Orchestration, and Reflection
Dr. Kristina Giske, Dr. Martin Niklas
Radiotherapy is often complex and difficult for patients to understand, as a lot of information comes together. Currently, neither patients nor treating physicians, especially general practitioners, have easy access to all relevant data. Patients can usually only view their therapy plan on site and then lose access to it.
To improve this, the project team wants to develop a ‘digital twin’ – a browser-based software that allows patients to view all important information, such as image data or medical decisions, in a comprehensible way, regardless of location.
The prototype is being developed together with experts and a former patient to ensure a patient-centred solution. The aim is to make the therapy more transparent and to involve patients more closely so that they can decide for themselves when and how much information they want to receive. In the future, additional functions, such as a digital patient diary, are to be integrated to visualise the course of therapy even better.
AI-supported insights into patient decisions
Dr. Cindy Körner, Dr. Keno März, Dr. Katja Mehlis, PD. Dr. Markus Herrmann
Many cancer patients discontinue treatment, delay therapy decisions or hesitate to participate in clinical studies. Their reasons are often difficult to access, since traditional approaches such as discussions with doctors or exchanges in self-help groups usually only reach a limited, positively minded group. The project team wants to develop an AI-supported tool that identifies the most common reasons from posts in forums or blogs, such as why clinical studies are rejected.
First, relevant internet sources are compiled by the local patient research councils and the national committee. A locally executed Large Language Model (LLM) will then analyse the content of these sources, specifically looking for statements such as ‘Why was study participation rejected?’ The results will be structured in a database and evaluated using social science methods.
The findings can help to better understand obstacles to clinical studies, improve patient recruitment and ultimately result in more inclusive clinical research in the field of oncology. The tool could also be used in the future to answer other questions, such as why people opt out of early detection programs, contrary to evidence-based recommendations.
Defining safe-to-use antibiotics in immuno-oncology
Dr. Maria Paula Roberti, Dr. Dr. med. Conrad Rauber
Antibiotics can impair the effect of immunotherapies for cancer because they disrupt the balance of the intestinal flora. This is problematic because antibiotics are often vital in cancer therapy – for example, 50 percent of patients with bile duct cancer receive antibiotics in the first three months of immunotherapy. However, it is unclear which antibiotics affect the effectiveness of immunotherapy.
Our research has shown that certain immune cells, called α4β7 Tregs, are crucial for the success of immunotherapy. These cells bind to the protein MAdCAM-1 in the gut, which is regulated by healthy gut flora. However, antibiotics reduce MAdCAM-1, which directs the immune cells into the bloodstream and ultimately to the tumour, where they block the immunotherapy.
The project team aims to study the influence of antibiotics on MAdCAM-1 and α4β7 cells in both cell models and patients. The goal is to identify risks and develop new approaches such as faecal transplants to support immunotherapy.
Empowerment through Knowledge: explaining cancer-related fatigue with patient-centered video education in diverse languages
Patricia Blickle, Martina Schmidt, Imke Veit-Schirmer, Prof. Dr. Karen Steindorf
Cancer-related fatigue affects up to 90 percent of cancer patients and manifests itself in severe physical, emotional or mental exhaustion. It can significantly impair quality of life, however, it is often not sufficiently explained, which may lead to increased anxiety and stress and, consequently, make it more difficult to take effective action. Early education, preferably at the start of therapy, is therefore essential and is recommended by guidelines such as NCCN and ESMO.
The objective of the project team is to educate patients about fatigue, provide them with self-management techniques, and encourage them to utilise the support services available. Building on positive experiences with existing materials, the team aims to expand education through the creation of an animated video. It will explain fatigue in an understandable way, present strategies for coping, and provide contact points.
The video will be produced in German, English and another language to also reach refugees and non-native speakers. It will be developed with patient representatives and a professional company. Following evaluation and adaptation, it will be integrated into patient education to improve quality of life through better fatigue management.
‘Time out for families’ – establishment and evaluation of a psycho-oncological, family-therapeutic intervention for cancer patients and their families
Dr. sc. hum Miriam Grapp, Katrin Willig, Dr. rer. nat. Cindy Körner, Dr. med. Till Johannes Bugaj
When a parent develops cancer, the whole family is affected. Emotional stress and disrupted daily routines are why cancer is referred to as ‘we disease’. Support services are usually only available for individuals, but not for the whole family.
To close this gap, the Psychooncology Department at the NCT Heidelberg 2024 developed ‘Time Out for Families’. This two-day programme with overnight accommodation is aimed at families with a parent suffering from cancer, regardless of the situation of the illness. The aim is to recharge their batteries together, to experience themselves as a ‘family team’ and to exchange experiences with other affected families. In addition to activities for the whole family, there are age-specific workshops for children, teenagers and parents.
The pilot phase was made possible by donations and voluntary support. Now two further programmes are planned, accompanied by a scientific evaluation, in order to establish the offer in the long term.
CareTalk: Survey on the topic of language mediation in a palliative context
Dr. phil. Julia Thiesbonenkamp-Maag, Dr. med. Christina Gerlach, Bettina Fetzer
Breaking bad news is one of the most difficult conversational situations in medicine. Someone who is seriously ill with cancer needs someone who listens carefully and empathetically and can explain well what is happening. Language barriers often make care difficult. Translations are usually done by relatives or staff in clinics and surgeries, which is problematic: medical terms are not translated correctly, translations are distorted by politeness and pity or are not legally compliant.
The CareTalk project aims to overcome these barriers by using qualified interpreters and trained personnel. In phase 1, interpreting students will be asked what is necessary for adequate training in the field of medical translation. Patients, relatives and healthcare professionals will also be interviewed about their needs. In phase 2, training courses for interpreters and medical staff will be developed. In phase 3, the programme will be expanded to include multiple centres.
With practice-oriented training and qualitative research, CareTalk aims to set a new standard in transcultural palliative oncology and enable dignified care for all patients, regardless of their origin.