02.04.2017 Pioneering…

Pioneering in the treatment of blood and bone marrow cancer

Professor Dr. Carsten Müller-Tidow is the new medical director of Clinical Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology at Heidelberg University Hospital. Photo: Heidelberg University Hospital

April 2017

Prof. Dr. Carsten Müller-Tidow is new Medical Director, expert on interdisciplinary cancer treatment and personalized medicine. He will strengthen existing priorities and expand personalized medicine, new therapeutic techniques, and diagnostics/therapy for leukemia. A research focus is acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most common acute adult blood cancer.

With Professor Dr. Carsten Müller-Tidow, a proven expert for acute leukemia moves into the rooms on the Neckar. The 48 year-old doctor and scientist, who headed the Halle University Clinic and Polyclinic for Internal Medicine IV from 2014 to January 2017, is the new Medical Director of the Department of Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology at Heidelberg University Hospital. He follows the footsteps of Professor Dr. Anthony D. Ho, under whose leadership the clinic developed into the leading center for stem cell transplants and research in Germany over the past 19 years. Other focal points of the department are innovative cell and immunotherapies, research into the molecular causes of leukemia and lymphoma, as well as rheumatology. In addition, there is the only amyloidosis center in Germany, and the myeloma center is a leader of its specialty. "The hospital is very well positioned in many areas and has an international reputation. As medical director, I want to contribute to further expanding these strengths", says Professor Müller-Tidow. "We are very pleased that we could win an expert for interdisciplinary cancer treatment and personalized medicine with Professor Müller-Tidow," says Professor Dr. Guido Adler, Chief Medical Director of Heidelberg University Hospital.

In terms of research, the hematologist and oncologist concentrates on acute leukemias, their therapy resistance, resistance mechanisms in malignant tumors, new treatment strategies, as well as rare, inherited cancers of the blood-forming system. One particular focus of his research is acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most common acute form of blood cancer in adults. He is particularly interested in genome modifications, so-called epigenetic mechanisms that can cause pathological changes in the blood stem cells and be reversed through special therapies. In addition, he plans to start clinical trials with new approaches to treatment-resistant AML, as well as to build a new research program for hereditary hematological diseases. The goal is to uncover the genetic causes in the affected families and to enable new chances for healing.

"Unique research opportunities at the Heidelberg site"

"Close networking of the University Hospital with its Center for Rare Diseases, the German Cancer Research Center, and the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) offers unparalleled opportunities to successfully implement such studies and research program", says Müller-Tidow, who has already been widely recognized for his work.

Further Information:
Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Rheumatology at Heidelberg University Hospital

EN