New hope for people with leukemia and prostate cancer

The Bavarian Center for Cancer Research (BZKF) is funding two of its own clinical studies for the first time, with a total of €5.2 million. The studies will investigate new approaches to the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (ERASE-AML) and more precise prostate cancer diagnosis (PRIME). The ERASE-AML study, initiated and led by Professor Marion Subklewe and her team at LMU Hospital, prevailed in a highly competitive Bavaria-wide selection process. All six Bavarian university hospitals are participating in both studies.

The aim of BZKF funding is to give cancer patients in Bavaria early access to innovative diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. With ERASE-AML, LMU Hospital is leading the first Bavaria-wide, researcher-initiated clinical trials within the BZKF network to translate innovative cell-based immunotherapies into clinical application.

New cell therapy for aggressive leukemia

The ERASE-AML study is aimed at patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a particularly aggressive form of blood cancer. Despite modern treatment methods, the chances of recovery are still limited: only about three in ten patients survive five years after diagnosis. The risk of relapse is particularly high if minimal traces of leukemia remain in the body after therapy or if genetic changes make the cancer cells particularly resistant. For many patients, the transfer of foreign stem cells that have been tested for compatibility (allogeneic stem cell transplantation) is the only chance of a cure. Nevertheless, relapses are common – and effective treatment options are then limited.

The study is investigating a novel form of personalized cell-based immunotherapy. In this process, immune cells (T cells) from a stem cell donor are specifically stimulated in the laboratory with several leukemia-specific protein building blocks (peptides). This creates a broad-spectrum immune response that targets various leukemia characteristics. In addition, the T cells are equipped with a chimeric co-stimulating antigen receptor (an artificially combined docking and activation structure – CARs), which is designed to enhance the activity of the T cells in the body. These "trained" and specifically enhanced T cells are used in patients with a high risk of relapse or in cases of early recurrence after stem cell transplantation. The aim is to permanently eliminate remaining leukemia cells and prevent relapses. The study is led by Dr. Veit Bücklein and Professor Marion Subklewe (LMU Klinikum München). The LMU team is receiving three million euros in funding for this researcher-initiated study.

"With ERASE, we can test an innovative cell therapy approach in a clinical trial for AML for the first time," says Marion Subklewe. "Close collaboration within the BZKF network is particularly important in this regard. Only this cross-location structure makes it possible to jointly and quickly translate new scientific ideas into clinical application."

Better diagnosis, less stress for prostate cancer patients

The PRIME study is investigating how prostate cancer—one of the most common types of cancer in men—can be detected more accurately and in a way that is less invasive for patients. Until now, elevated PSA levels in the blood and abnormal MRI findings have usually been followed by a tissue sample (biopsy). For many patients, this examination is a major physical and emotional strain—it is unpleasant, painful, and associated with possible infections. In addition, it is not uncommon for harmless findings to be detected that do not require treatment.

The PRIME study aims to investigate whether additional modern imaging using positron emission tomography (PET/CT) can improve diagnostic accuracy. PSMA-PET/CT allows prostate cancer cells to be visualized even more accurately using a very small amount of a radioactive drug. In the study, 150 men with abnormal MRI scans will undergo this additional examination. Depending on the results, fewer or more targeted biopsies may then be necessary for a reliable diagnosis of prostate cancer requiring treatment. The aim is to detect aggressive tumors early and reliably while avoiding unnecessary interventions. The study is being led by Professor Matthias Eiber (TUM Klinikum München) and Professor Matthias Heck (University Hospital Augsburg). The funding amount is 2.2 million euros.

Strong collaboration for better cancer research in Bavaria

Both studies will be conducted across all six BZKF locations: Augsburg, Erlangen, Munich (LMU and TUM), Regensburg, and Würzburg. “These studies mark an important milestone for the BZKF,” said Prof. Dr. Andreas Mackensen, Director of the BZKF. “Patients throughout Bavaria can participate in early clinical trials with innovative approaches – without having to travel long distances.”

Ortwin Thiel, patient representative, adds: “For those affected, the start of these studies means above all hope – hope for more effective therapies for high-risk leukemia and for gentler, more accurate diagnostics for prostate cancer. It is a strong signal that innovative research here in Bavaria is being driven forward in such a closely networked and patient-oriented manner.”