Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Professor Dr. med. Christoph Klein, Director of the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
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Professor Dr. med. Dr. sc. nat. Christoph Klein succeeded Prof. Karl Welte as Head of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology in 2008. He is an internationally renowned pediatrician and expert in hematological and immunological disorders as well as for stem cell transplantation. He is a pioneer of gene therapy for inherited disorders.
His scientific contributions were honored by multiple prizes and awards, such as the American Society of Hematology Scholar Award, the Adalbert-Czerny Prize awarded by the Germany Society of Pediatrics, the Kind-Philipp Prize awarded by the German Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, the GlaxoSmithKline-Prize for Clinical Research and others. He is a member in many scientific societies and coordinator of the Clinical Research Group Stem cell transplantation as well as the German Competence Network on Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases.
Clinical Profile
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The Department of Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology enjoys an outstanding clinical reputation. It belongs to the largest centers in Europe and has a long-standing tradition in the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for children with leukemia and inborn errors of hematopoiesis. The department has a lead position in stem cell transplantation and the development of clinical gene therapy.
In addition, the Department hosts the BFM Study Center for Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia and thus coordinates diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to AML in Germany. Furthermore, many national and international clinical studies are being coordinated by members of the Department (e.g. Stem cell transplantation in patients with AML and congenital neutropenia, lymphoproliferative disorders after organ transplantation).
The Department hosts the International Registry for Chronic Neutropenia under the auspices of Prof. Karl Welte and is a German reference center for patients with inborn errors of the hematopoietic and immune system:
- Medical Second Opinion for International Patients
- Acute myeloid leukemia
- Acute lymphoid leukemia
- Inborn and acquired disorders of hematopoiesis (anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia)
- Inborn and acquired disorders of the immune system
- Solid childhood tumors
- Malignant Brain tumors
- Inborn and acquired disorders of coagulation
- Innovative gene and cell-based therapies
- Clinical phase I-III studies
The interdisciplinary team oft he Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology comprises more than 20 physicians, 44 nurses, 5 members oft he psychosocial division, In addition, more than 20 scientists are dedicated to various clinical and translational research activitivites. The Department contains a modern unit for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a day-care unit and an up-to-date ward for inpatients. All members of the Department are dedicated to interdisciplinary care, including psychosocial support. Our wards offer accommodation of accompanying parents.
Scientific Profile
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The Department of Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology enjoys a longstanding tradition in the development and design of clinical studies for children with acute leukemia. Furthermore, members of the Department have made major scientific contributions that have elucidated mechanisms of hemato-poiesis and allowed for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
For example, Prof. Karl Welte has pioneered the use of G-CSF as a supportive drug in patients receiving chemotherapy and in patients with inborn neutropenia.
Prof. Christoph Klein pioneered the development of gene therapy for patients with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, a primary immuno-deficiency disorder. In the Department, several genetic diseases of the hematopoietic system were first recognized and elucidated on a genetic level. These scientific activities, partly integrated into the excellence initiative of German academic institutions, document the leading role of the Department on a global level and are financially supported by a variety of national and international funding organizations.
