Research

• Establishment of new tumor models (cell culture, organoids, PDX) for the development of improved therapies for pediatric brain tumors (in collaboration with MedUni Vienna: Walter Berger, Daniela Lötsch-Gojo, Jürgen Knoblich)
• Liquid biopsy for pediatric CNS tumors (collaborations with Eleni Tomazou, CCRI Vienna; international partners: DKFZ Heidelberg, St. Jude, Memphis, USA; Karolinska, Sweden, and many others)
• Rare embryonic and sarcomatous tumors of the central nervous system “REST” (collaborations with DKFZ, Heidelberg; Charité Berlin; Aarhus University; Liverpool University; Princess Maxima Center, Utrecht; Harvard/DFCI, Boston; Children’s National, Washington; NIH, USA)
• Epigenetic, molecular, and cellular origins as well as intratumoral heterogeneity in pediatric brain tumors (Collaboration with Mariella Filbin, DFCI/Harvard Medical School; Florian Grebien, VetMed Vienna)
• Stem cell properties and “spatial transcriptomics” of ependymomas as a new therapeutic target (in collaboration with MedUniVienna: Walter Berger, Daniela Lötsch-Gojo, Christine Haberler)
• BRCAness as a therapeutic target in HR pediatric tumors (BRCAddict), TRANSCAN-2 project, (in collaboration with Walter Berger, DKFZ, and others)
• Scanning the cerebrospinal fluid of pediatric brain tumor patients to personalize treatment—SOUP (Coordinated by Johannes Gojo)
• Brain TAP, preclinical evaluation of new therapies in ITCC-P4 (Led by Johannes Gojo)

• Precision Medicine Therapeutic Approaches for Treatment-Refractory Pediatric Brain Tumors - Feasibility Study of Tumor Board Software to Facilitate a Supraregional Pediatric Precision Oncology CNS Tumor Board
• Development and conduct of clinical trials
  • development of the combination of artemisinin with 5-Ala/heme biosynthesis modulators as a therapy for brain tumors and other high-risk tumors (collaboration: Josef Penninger, JLP Health, and Walter Berger, MedUniVienna)
  • Therapeutic monitoring of NF1 patients using liquid biopsy (international proposal submitted)
  • Antiangiogenic therapy for recurrent medulloblastoma (MEMMAT), international study, MUW sponsor
  • Post-Authorization Safety Study of Pediatric Patients Initiating Selumetinib: A Multiple-Country Prospective Cohort Study (AstraZeneca, Azizi)
  • Correlation of biomarkers with MRI imaging and potential relevance using AI (collaboration with MedUniVienna: Prof. Gregor Kasprian)
  • Resting-state MRI in patients with pediatric brain tumors (collaboration with MedUniVienna: Kasprian, Dorfer)
  • Correlation of tumor location and molecular tumor subgroups (collaboration with MedUniVienna: Dorfer)
  • Clinical characteristics and establishment of therapeutic guidelines for rare embryonic and sarcomatous CNS tumors (international collaboration within SIOPE, DKFZ Heidelberg, Charité Berlin, PMC Utrecht, Copenhagen, Liverpool)
• Austrian Neurofibromatosis Registry
• Bone ultrasound for the diagnosis of NF1-associated tibial dysplasias
• Neurotoxicity following treatment of pediatric CNS tumors
• Cerebrospinal fluid penetration of chemotherapeutic agents and antibiotics (collaboration with Markus Zeitlinger)
• InterREST – International Registry for Rare Brain Tumors (Johannes Gojo, Leading Board), establishment of molecular data, therapies, and an international tumor board

COPELab

• Avatar Project – Involving Children with Serious Illnesses Through Avatars: Be PART of it! (Funding Program “Sparkling Science 2.0”)
• My Logbook – Psychoeducation for Children and Adolescents with Cancer
• Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) – Assessing the Status Quo in the Research Landscape and Evaluating Interventions (Collaboration with CCI Europe, Anita Kienesberger)
• EU-CAYAS NET – EU4Health Program https://beatcancer.eu/
• IMPACT EU Project
• YARN – The European Network for Young Cancer Patients

YARN is an ambitious initiative co-funded by the EU that brings together a diverse group of stakeholders: young people with cancer experience, healthcare professionals, psychosocial care specialists, policymakers, researchers, and patient organizations.

Spanning more than 25 EU member states and 3 eligible neighboring countries, and implemented by 19 project partners, 1 affiliated institution, and 39 associated partners, YARN is the largest multi-stakeholder, experience-based initiative of its kind in Europe.

It aims to improve the quality of life for children, adolescents, and young adults affected by cancer.

This ambitious project will:
- expand the EU network
- strengthen mutual support and social connections
- improve access to multilingual, evidence-based information on side effects, relapses, and metastatic cancer
- promote mental health, well-being, and a healthy lifestyle
- train 100 patient advocates through the ACE Academy
- promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in cancer care
- and maintain and expand a digital platform for young people

For more information about the project, visit: https://beatcancer.eu

This project received financial support under the European Union’s EU4Health program, Grant Agreement No. 101219053. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the funding authority can be held responsible for them.

The IMPACT-EU project aims to establish Europe-wide standards for psychosocial care in pediatric oncology and to ensure comprehensive support throughout the entire course of treatment, including the transition to adult care. The project integrates psychosocial care with advocacy by patient organizations to create a holistic, collaborative approach that can be adapted to different contexts.

The overarching goal is to improve the quality of life and well-being of children and adolescents with cancer, as well as their families, siblings, and loved ones, through comprehensive mental and psychosocial support.

Based on current standards and clinical needs, the project focuses on the following key measures:

• Developing a Europe-wide standard for psychosocial care in pediatric oncology to ensure consistent, high-quality support across all countries.
• Surveying and mapping psychosocial services in Europe, both within and outside hospitals, to identify available resources, best practices, and existing gaps in care.
• Providing training and implementation tools to strengthen the competencies and capacities of professionals and peer supporters in psychosocial care.
• Advocacy and the development of recommendations for action regarding the national implementation of psychosocial standards in Europe.

By combining research, training, and practice, IMPACT-EU aims to strengthen psychosocial care systems, build professional expertise, and promote the adoption of psychosocial standards across Europe. The project’s holistic approach is designed to ensure that every child, adolescent, and family affected by cancer receives the emotional, social, and psychological support they need.

As a project partner, the Medical University of Vienna is responsible for developing a set of care standards on key psychosocial topics, summarized in an evidence- and consensus-based European guideline for psychosocial care in pediatric oncology. In addition, the Medical University of Vienna is developing tools to support the implementation of this guideline. The work is being carried out in close collaboration with healthcare professionals, researchers, and patient representatives to ensure high practical relevance.

Website: https://siope.eu/impact-eu 
Project duration: Oct 2025 – Sept 2028

This project received financial support under the European Union’s EU4Health program, Grant Agreement No. 101219053. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the funding authority can be held responsible for them.