Interdisciplinary Oncology Center Munich

Targeted therapy is a form of molecular medicine. Its principle of action is to block the growth of specific cancer cells at the targeted molecular level. "Smart drugs" recognize malignant cells that differ from healthy cells by the restructuring of the genetic apparatus, act precisely and block tumor cell growth. At the same time, targeted therapy does not damage healthy cells.

There are many scientific studies trying to develop as many targeted drugs as possible. But today their use is targeted.

German clinics will help you select the latest scientific developments.

In Germany, it is possible to include a patient in a special oncological consultation at the Interdisciplinary Oncology Center. At this consultation, oncologists-hematologists, specialists dealing with molecular tissue pathology, representatives of molecular biology, bioinformatics, and clinical oncology gather. Their goal is to offer highly accurate treatment based on molecular analysis.

Researchers, relying on genome sequencing, include treatment options in therapy. By reading the patient's genome, mutations can be identified and an individual therapeutic concept developed for targeted cancer therapy.

Today, the mechanism of interaction between the tumor and the body's immune system is becoming more and more understandable, and new therapeutic approaches are emerging. Immunotherapy has proven to be effective in the treatment of malignant tumors – treatment with immunological preparations that trigger the body's own immune response against the tumor. The drugs belong to the class of immune checkpoint inhibitors, they do not kill tumor cells, but encourage the immune system itself to fight the disease.

Currently, immune therapy is an integral part of treatment for some types of cancer: malignant melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer. To determine the possibility of treating other types of cancer, special tests are required.

Patients also have the opportunity to participate in European clinical trials conducted at university clinics in Germany.

During clinical trials, new treatment options are tested, and the effectiveness, tolerability and safety of new active ingredients are checked in accordance with strict rules. This gives patients early access to innovative treatment options.

The Cyberknife system is built on the basis of revolutionary developments in recent years in surgery and oncology. It combines three innovative medical devices that allow highly accurate irradiation of the tumor: a robot, a compact linear irradiator and the latest computer software that provides visual control with the ability to track breathing compensation in real time.

The robot (similar ones are also used in the automotive industry) can move using computer control in any of six given directions. A light and compact irradiation device is attached to its arm. When moving, the robot is capable of highly accurate irradiation of almost any organs and tissues.

A unique feature of the Cyberknife device is the ability to accurately track tumors of organs that shift during human breathing, for example, tumors of the lungs, liver and kidneys. These organs shift several centimeters during breathing, and it is important not to touch healthy tissues during irradiation. A 3D camera comes to the rescue, which registers the organ, compares it with the neoplasm itself, transmits it to the program, and, thanks to the software, the robot directs the radiation directly into the tumor.

Thanks to the computer image modeling system and robot programming, any slightest movement of the patient can be corrected, no anesthesia is required, nor is the patient fixed by any means.

The success rate of treatment with Cyberknife reaches 90%.

There are many advantages – no incisions, no chemotherapy, and no subsequent rehabilitation is needed. Treatment does not take much time and does not require hospitalization.

Radiosurgical treatment using Cyberknife technology is highly specialized and has strict indications. In each specific case, university clinic doctors decide which treatment method will be the most effective: surgical operation, radiation therapy, hormone replacement therapy, cyberknife.

Lutetium-177 isotope therapy is a treatment method for patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. This is also called "targeted radionuclide therapy", "peptide receptor radionuclide therapy" and "somatostatin receptor radioligand therapy".