Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke gGmbH

The pediatric department at Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke gGmbH conducts research aimed at improving outcomes for blood‑related cancers in children and adolescents. Studies evaluate new treatment combinations, targeted agents, and immunotherapies to increase survival and reduce relapse rates.

• Comparison of chemotherapy backbones for Philadelphia chromosome‑positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Adding a proteasome inhibitor during consolidation for high‑risk pediatric ALL
• Post‑consolidation immunotherapy with blinatumomab in various risk groups
• Optimizing steroid regimens to lower central nervous system relapse in lymphoblastic lymphoma
• Intensified asparaginase schedules for high‑risk disease

Across six active trials, five investigators collaborate with international consortia to test these strategies, seeking to enhance disease‑free survival and reduce treatment‑related toxicity.

Research at the center also focuses on solid childhood tumors, particularly high‑risk brain cancers. The goal is to refine surgical, radiologic, and systemic approaches to improve long‑term control while preserving quality of life.

• Evaluation of hyperfractionated‑accelerated radiotherapy for high‑risk medulloblastoma
• High‑dose chemotherapy with thiotepa followed by conventional radiotherapy
• Centralized MRI review to increase complete resection rates in ependymoma
• Comparison of postoperative chemotherapy schedules (VEC vs. VEC+HD‑MTX) after tumor resection
• Adding a histone deacetylase inhibitor to chemotherapy for patients unable to receive radiation

The site participates in multinational programs such as SIOP and BFM, contributing data from six trials that address surgical precision, novel radiotherapy techniques, and adjunctive drug therapies.