Leukemia Breakthrough: German Researcher Awarded for Pioneering CML Treatment
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A new era in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is dawning, thanks to the groundbreaking research of Professor Andreas Hochhaus, who was awarded the Thuringian Research Prize 2025 today for his pivotal work in developing more effective therapies for the disease. this recognition underscores a significant step forward in combating CML, a cancer affecting approximately 1,200 people annually in Germany.
Understanding chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Chronic myeloid leukemia is the second most prevalent form of chronic leukemia, characterized by an overproduction of white blood cells due to an acquired genetic abnormality within the hematopoietic system. For years, a stem cell transplant remained the only curative option. However, the advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitors has dramatically altered the treatment landscape. These innovative drugs target and inhibit the specific protein responsible for the uncontrolled division of leukemia cells.
Asciminib: A New Hope for CML Patients
Professor Hochhaus, a leading hematologist and oncologist at Jena University Hospital, spearheaded the ASC4FIRST study, a collaborative effort with industry partners to evaluate the efficacy of asciminib, a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Unlike existing treatments, asciminib employs a modified molecular mechanism of action, offering a crucial alternative for patients who have developed resistance to other therapies or for whom those therapies have proven insufficient.
The multi-center study, conducted across 111 centers in 29 countries and involving over 400 CML patients, demonstrated that asciminib not only suppresses leukemia more rapidly and effectively than standard treatments but also produces significantly fewer undesirable side effects.These findings are poised to support the global approval of asciminib as a first-line treatment option for CML.
Two decades of Dedicated Research
For over 20 years, Professor Hochhaus has dedicated his career to unraveling the complexities of hematological diseases and refining CML therapies through international collaborations and translational research projects. “Clinical research in the context of knowledge-generating care is a core task of university medicine,” Professor Hochhaus stated, emphasizing the vital role of university hospitals in driving innovation. “I see the prize as an award for my entire study team in Jena and the cooperating institutions.”
Professor hochhaus’s career trajectory includes specialist training in Leipzig and Erfurt, a tenure at the University Hospital of Mannheim, and a José Carreras Endowed Professorship for Leukemia Research at the University of Heidelberg. he returned to Thuringia in 2009, assuming a professorship in hematology and internal oncology at Jena University Hospital.
A Leader in Cancer Research and Collaboration
Currently serving as the director of the clinic for Internal Medicine II, Professor Hochhaus also acts as the spokesperson for the University Tumor Center and coordinates the german CML Alliance. This alliance fosters collaboration among medical professionals, nurses, researchers, laboratory diagnosticians, and patient representatives, creating a robust platform for multicenter studies. Moreover, as co-director of the Central German Cancer Center – established by the German Cancer Aid – and executive chairman of the German Society for Hematology and Medical Oncology, Professor Hochhaus continues to shape the future of cancer care in Germany.
The Thuringian Research Prize, worth 25,000 euros, is shared with a research team from Nordhausen University recognized for their innovative approach to sewage sludge treatment. This dual recognition highlights the breadth of scientific advancement occurring within the Thuringian region.
Further information regarding the Thuringian Research Prize can be found at Thuringian Research Prize | Thuringian Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.
Reader question: what are tyrosine kinase inhibitors and how do they work?
