Prof. Dr. Ralph Alexander Bundschuh

In my research group Molecular Imaging & Therapy Research I deal with questions of basic and clinical research on the one hand in the field of data processing and analysis of nuclear medical imaging procedures, on the other hand in the field of tumor cell biology in nuclear medical therapy procedures. The overriding goal of both areas is to achieve a more individual and thus better tumor therapy for the individual patient. Not only nuclear medical therapy methods are considered, but also, for example, radiation therapy planning or combination therapies.

In image analysis, for example, we are currently investigating the possibility of using PSMA-PET/CT to „predict“ the response to therapy with Lu-177-PSMA in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Another topic we are working on is the application of molecular imaging data to improve the planning of percutaneous radiotherapy. Together with colleagues from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, we are investigating the improvement of diagnostic findings through structured diagnostic systems, such as the PSMA-RADS system developed there.

In the field of tumor cell biology, individualized tumor therapy is also in the foreground. In cooperation with Prof. Muders‘ research group from the Department of Pathology at the University Hospital of Bonn, we are investigating the molecular biology of the reasons why certain patients show a significantly worse response to therapy with Lu-177-PSMA than others. A similar project together with the research group of PD Dr. Feldmann from the 3rd Medical Clinic at the UKB deals with the therapy response to Lu-177-DOTATAE therapy in neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas.