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"Target-H" project uses new therapeutic approaches, smart diagnostics and AI
Greifswald / Rostock, April 25, 2025 – Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in humans and presents major challenges for patients and healthcare systems worldwide. The Ministry of Science of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has now selected the "Target-H" research project for funding under the Excellence Initiative. The aim of the project is to reduce the burden of disease through innovative diagnostic procedures, advanced therapeutic approaches such as cold plasma and a deeper understanding of molecular tumor patterns.
Ultimately, all data will be incorporated into an AI-based clinical decision support system. In total, the research work on "Target-H" at five scientific institutions will be funded with five million euros for four years from 2025. At the kick-off meeting of the project participants on Friday, April 25, 2025 the timetable and the main areas of work for the coming months were agreed.
"The project focuses on squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma (MM) - two particularly burdensome forms of skin cancer. In doing so, "Target-H" relies on the bundling of regional innovative strength and interdisciplinary expertise. A central component is the development of next-generation non-invasive diagnostic technologies based on photonic technologies and AI-supported imaging," says Prof. Dr. Steffen Emmert, spokesperson for "Target-H" and Director of the Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology at Rostock University Medical Center.
Teams led by Prof. Emmert and Prof. Dr. Bernhard Roth, Scientific Director of the Hannover Centre for Optical Technologies (HOT) at Leibniz Universität Hannover, are in charge of this project. This is complemented by hyperspectral imaging, developed by Prof. Dr. Christoph Hornberger from the University of Wismar. These technologies enable smart, precise and, above all, non-invasive diagnosis, paving the way for early and personalized treatment.
Another focus is the development of cold plasma technology optimized for skin cancer treatment. To this end, both approved and newly developed plasma treatment device technologies are being comprehensively investigated: from cell models (in vitro) and egg test procedures (in ovo) through to clinical applications on patients.
Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Weltmann, Chairman of the INP, explains: "Cold plasma opens up new possibilities in local skin cancer treatment - especially due to its versatile biological effects. In the "Target-H" project, we are contributing our many years of experience in plasma medicine in order to develop new therapy options for clinical application together with Rostock University Medicine and to prepare their practical use in the future."
This work is being carried out under the direction of Prof. Dr. Sander Bekeschus from the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology in Greifswald/ Head of the Plasma Medicine Section at the Rostock University Dermatology Clinic, Prof. Dr. Burkhard Hinz, Director of the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Prof. Brigitte Vollmar, Director of the Rudolf Zenker Institute for Experimental Surgery, and Prof. Emmert/ Dr. Böckmann in Rostock. In particular, they will shed light on the influence of hypoxic conditions and oxidative stress on therapy efficiency.
In order to be able to treat skin cancer even more specifically, the focus is on further molecular analyses. Histological examinations, spatially resolved transcriptome analyses and "omics" data will help to identify tumor propagation factors and the effect of new therapeutic approaches. This work, led by PD Dr. Josefine Radke from the Institute of Pathology at the University Medical Center Greifswald and PD Dr. Hugo Murua Escobar from the Clinic for Haematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine in Rostock, will provide important insights for more precise cancer medicine.
All of the data generated in the project is fed into a clinical decision support system (CDSS), which is being developed by Dr. Mario Aehnelt from the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research in Rostock. This AI-based system enables a more precise diagnosis and individual treatment decisions.
Through synergies in non-invasive skin cancer diagnostics, new therapy methods and a better understanding of treatment-relevant molecular patterns, "Target-H
rethinks (skin) cancer research. Through innovation and excellence, it supports the establishment of the Comprehensive Cancer Center M-V (CCC-MV) as the basis for state-of-the-art, personalized cancer medicine.
The Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology in Greifswald is researching a cold plasma t ...
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