idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
Researchers at the Institute of Pathology at University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), Germany, have developed and filed a patent for a new device that significantly facilitates the isolation of lymph nodes from fatty tissue of cancer patients. This promises even greater diagnostic accuracy and targeted therapy selection to improve patient outcomes. The protection of these innovative developments is a core element of UMG’s transfer strategy, supporting the rapid translation of new diagnostic applications and therapies into clinical use for the benefit of patients.
One of the greatest challenges in modern medicine is providing every cancer patient with effective and individualized treatment, especially in complex cases such as colorectal cancer. The treatment approach and long-term prognosis depend heavily on the stage of the cancer, particularly whether it has already spread to surrounding lymph nodes. These lymph nodes act as a kind of border control for the immune system by filtering lymph fluid from the intestine. When cancer cells spread, they often appear in these nodes first. The presence or absence of metastases has a direct influence on treatment decisions: patients without lymph node involvement often have a more favorable prognosis and may not require chemotherapy.
To ensure an accurate assessment of lymph node involvement, cancer patients undergo surgery in which fatty tissue containing lymph nodes is removed and subsequently examined in the pathology department. Until now, reprocessing this tissue requires a complex and labor-intensive manual procedure. Previous research has demonstrated that fat cells can be broken up through controlled application of pressure, while the lymph nodes remain intact and can then be examined in full under the microscope. To date, many pathology laboratories have relied on self-built provisional devices to perform this assessment. However, these improvised solutions have proven insufficient for reliably and efficiently separating lymph nodes from the surrounding fatty tissue.
To close this gap, Pedro Gebhardt Apalategui, MD student at the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), has now developed an electromechanical process that exerts constant pressure on the tissue in order to release intact lymph nodes from the fatty tissue. "The idea for this came to me during my internship at the Department of Pathology at UMG. The new device effectively destroys fat cells and optimally reduces the sample volume. The advantage is that, in addition to the lymph nodes, more small blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and immune cells are preserved, as well as tissue in which cancer cells have already spread and scar tissue that develops in chronic inflammation," says Gebhardt Apalategui. The separation of fatty tissue and the preservation of vessels and tissue is important for a comprehensive pathological examination and the resulting therapy decision for patients.
The principle – controlled pressure for optimal results
Prof. Dr. Philipp Ströbel, director of the Department of Pathology at UMG, was involved in the development of the device. He explains: "The gentle digestion process enables us to reliably isolate even smaller lymph nodes from fatty tissue, which was previously only possible to a limited extent. I am very impressed by what Pedro Gebhardt Apalategui has already achieved in his still young career. This device will contribute significantly to further improving diagnostics for many cancer patients."
The device was submitted for patent approval in the United States in December 2025 and is currently being tested at the Department of Pathology. In addition to colorectal cancer, it is also expected to be used for the diagnosis of breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer in the future.
Technology transfer as the fourth key area of UMG
Technology transfer has become UMG’s fourth core mission alongside research, teaching, and patient care. goal is to translate excellent science into innovative diagnostic, breakthrough technologies, and new medicines. Patent applications represent an important step in this process, helping to protect promising inventions and enable their further development.
“Excellent science and academic research are the foundation of medical progress,” says Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Brück, Chief Executive Officer and Dean of the Medical Faculty at UMG. “At UMG, we encourage our students and young scientists to think about translation early on, so that their discoveries can ultimately reach patients and improve care.”
The newly developed lymph node device also demonstrates how innovation at UMG thrives across generations. Developed with the guidance of Prof. Ströbel the invention also highlights the contribution of Gebhardt Apalategui, showing that some of the most promising ideas can emerge from young researchers at the very beginning of their careers.
Training the Next Generation
UMG’s Technology Transfer Unit plays a central role in identifying promising inventions and provides support throughout the entire process – from protecting intellectual property, finding of cooperation partners and licensing to practical application and spin-off creation. In addition, the Technology Transfer Unit offers training and information events to equip young scientists with the tools needed to bring innovation into practice.
“It is important to us to train the next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs and give them the tools they need to make innovative ideas available to as many patients as possible,” Prof. Brück says.
Prof. Dr. Philipp Ströbel, Department of Pathology, Phone +49 551 / 39-65681, pathologie@med.uni-goettingen.de
Prof. Philipp Ströbel, director of the Department of Pathology at UMG, Pedro Gebhardt Apalategui, MD ...
Copyright: umg/swen pförtner
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