This year, the German Cancer Society is awarding the German Cancer Award to two researchers from the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg. Prof. Dr. Jessica Hassel receives the award in the category “Clinical Research”, Prof. Dr. Dr. Felix Sahm in the category “Translational Research” (together with Prof. Dr. David Capper from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin).

Prof. Jessica Hassel heads the Skin Tumor Center at Heidelberg University Hospital and the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg. She is being honored for her groundbreaking clinical studies on immune and combination therapies for advanced melanoma (black skin cancer). Their work has paved the way for new therapeutic options, including so-called cancer vaccines and the bispecific antibody Tebentafusp in ocular melanoma, into clinical application. In addition, she has established “liquid biopsy” procedures for therapy control and developed patient-centered online decision-making aids for those affected.

Prof. Felix Sahm, Deputy Medical Director of the Department of Neuropathology at Heidelberg University Hospital and scientist at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), receives the award for his research on the molecular classification of brain tumors. He has developed a new classification system for meningiomas (tumors of the meninges) based on DNA methylation patterns, which is now recommended in international diagnostic guidelines. The method enables a more precise classification of the tumors and a better risk assessment than the histological examination alone. Together with Prof. David Capper, he has fundamentally advanced the molecular diagnostics of brain tumors.

The award ceremony will take place on June 19, 2026 in Berlin. The German Cancer Award is one of the highest awards in oncology and is awarded annually in the categories of clinical research, translational research, experimental research and health services research.

Heidelberg University Hospital and the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University honored the double award as proof of the strong translational research culture on site. The work of both award winners contributes to noticeably improving the diagnosis and treatment of serious cancers and to transferring them more quickly to patient care.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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