Diversity-sensitive cancer medicine
Our research focuses on diversity-sensitive cancer medicine, specifically how sex and gender, as well as other diversity factors, influence diagnosis, treatment, and disease progression in oncological diseases. The aim is context-aware cancer medicine that accounts for biological and social factors.
The research field
Cancer progresses differently depending on gender, age, origin and other individual factors. We are therefore systematically investigating how these diversity characteristics influence diagnoses, therapies and prognoses. We place particular emphasis on the representativeness of study populations and on the development of context-aware standards.
The primary aim is to fill care-relevant gaps in the medical evidence.
Research projects
The Cancer Drug Development Forum (CDDF) Diversity Initiative
As a neutral platform, the Cancer Drug Development Forum (CDDF) has established a multi-stakeholder group involving patients, healthcare professionals, developers, regulators, health technology assessment, pharmaceutical companies and academic researchers. The initiative identifies key factors influencing diversity and defines relevant variables to assess representativeness in European oncology trials.
Project details
Ensuring diversity in oncology clinical trials is essential to make study populations more representative of the broader patient community and make results more generalizable. As a neutral, non-competitive platform, the CDDF has set up a multi-stakeholder group involving patients, healthcare professionals, developers, regulators, Health Technology Assessment, pharmaceutical companies and academic researchers to coordinate strategies for improving diversity in clinical research. The initiative aims to identify key factors that influence diversity and define a relevant set of variables for evaluating representativeness in European oncology trials. Initial steps include a review of existing research and guidance on this topic. The final outcome will be a white paper, and supporting practical guidance, detailing selected diversity variables, the rationale behind their selection, and methodological recommendations for implementation. The initiative seeks to promote practical, evidence-based best practices for conducting more inclusive cancer trials. Through this effort, the CDDF hopes to contribute to fairer, more effective cancer drug development across Europe.
The project is funded and directed by the CDDF and the RUB team, which is supporting CDDF in conducting the research is led by Pauline Reiss and Sarina Agkatsev, who also serve as the main points of contact at RUB.
To learn more about the CDDF Diversity Initiative, please visit the CDDF-Homepage.
Project team
Prof. Dr. Marie von Lilienfeld-Toal
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
+49 234 32 12385 info-dimrub "«@&.de
Pauline Reiss M. Sc.
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
Pauline.Reissrub "«@&.de
Dr. Sarina Agkatsev
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
+49 234 32 12765 Sarina.Agkatsevrub "«@&.de
EquiRefBlood - Establishing context-aware reference values for blood counts in Germany in the 21st century
This multicentric study aims to establish reference values in hematology in Germany. To this end, more than 1,000 individuals are being recruited via occupational health services and undergo a standardized health assessment, including laboratory investigations such as the evaluation of iron status.
Project details
This prospective, multicentric study investigates, among other objectives, the prevalence of iron deficiency in healthy adults without underlying medical conditions, including individuals with both normal and mildly reduced hemoglobin concentrations.
The primary aim is to obtain a population-based and as representative as possible overview of iron status using a cohort of approximately 1,500 participants recruited through occupational health services. Secondary objectives include the analysis of sex-specific differences in platelet count, ferritin levels, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), particularly in relation to iron deficiency. In women, differences between menstruating, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal phases will also be examined. Additional analyses will address sociodemographic factors such as dietary habits, quality of life, and resilience, as well as cognitive and physical performance, assessed through medical history interviews and brief functional tests.
Furthermore, the prevalence of the Duffy-null phenotype in Germany will be determined, taking ethnicity and migration background into account. Sex-specific re-evaluations of reference ranges for the differential blood count will also be performed in order to generate hypotheses for future reference values.
Inclusion criteria comprise an age of 18 years or older, sufficient proficiency in the German language, and the ability to provide informed consent. Exclusion criteria include chronic conditions affecting hematological parameters, recent blood donation, pregnancy or breastfeeding, as well as acute infections or known infectious diseases.
The study is funded by the InnovationFORUM under the special university agreement 2022–2025 (IF-036-24).
Project tteam
Prof. Dr. Marie von Lilienfeld-Toal
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
+49 234 32 12385 info-dimrub "«@&.de
Dr. Milena Lückemeyer
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
+49 234 32 17410 Milena.Lueckemeyerrub "«@&.de
Anne-Christin Gude
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
+49 234 32 12434 Anne-Christin.Guderub "«@&.de
Calara Müller
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
DiVersO: Digital care in oncology
This multicentric survey study conducted at several clinics of Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) investigates the acceptance of digital services among patients with malignant tumors. It examines the influence of diversity-related factors, tumor entity, and treatment strategy on the use of digital versus paper-based questionnaires (patient-reported outcome measures, PROMs). Central to the investigation is the question of patients’ preferred questionnaire format, which will be analyzed according to cancer type, age groups, and other individual characteristics. In addition, response completeness, dropout rates, and patient-reported outcomes related to quality of life and fatigue are assessed.
Project details
This prospective, exploratory survey study aims to evaluate the acceptance of digital services in patients with malignant tumors. Specifically, it analyses the impact of diversity factors (including age, sex, origin, language, religion, educational level, cultural identity, and personal life circumstances), as well as tumor entity and treatment strategy (curative versus palliative), on the use of digital compared with paper-based PROMs.
The study seeks to identify differences between patient cohorts and to derive conclusions regarding individual needs and preferences for digital health services. Furthermore, the Diversity Minimal Item Set (DiMIS) questionnaire will be applied for the first time in an oncological setting and evaluated with respect to its feasibility.
The primary endpoint is the choice of questionnaire format (digital versus paper-based), analyzed by tumor entity, age group, and other relevant subcategories. Secondary endpoints include data completeness, dropout and participation rates, as well as patient-reported outcomes for various domains, including health-related quality of life, fatigue, diversity-related factors, depression, and suicidality.
Recruitment takes place at the University Hospital sites of Ruhr University Bochum (Marien Hospital Herne, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, and St. Josef Hospital Bochum) over a period of three years, followed by a two-year follow-up phase. The target cohort comprises approximately 1,000 patients aged 18 years or older who are currently undergoing treatment or follow-up care and who are able to provide written informed consent.
Project team
Prof. Dr. Marie von Lilienfeld-Toal
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
+49 234 32 12385 info-dimrub "«@&.de
Dr. Milena Lückemeyer
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
+49 234 32 17410 Milena.Lueckemeyerrub "«@&.de
Anne-Christin Gude
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
+49 234 32 12434 Anne-Christin.Guderub "«@&.de
KePoP: Collateral effects of the pandemic in oncological patients
Healthcare in Germany has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The KePoP project is now investigating the indirect effects on mortality, diagnostics and treatment in patients with tumours of the respiratory tract, pancreas and colon. The pre-pandemic, pandemic and post-pandemic periods of two years each are being analysed.
Project details
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare, especially for vulnerable groups such as people with oncological diseases. As part of "Collateral Effects in Pandemics" (CollPan), the KePoP project is investigating the indirect effects on the mortality, diagnosis and treatment of patients with tumours of the respiratory tract, pancreas and colon. This will take place in the pre-pandemic, pandemic and post-pandemic periods of 2 years each.
For this purpose, routine clinical data from the Research Data Portal for Health (FDPG) will be requested and evaluated in order to analyse mortality rates, incidences, stages of diagnosis, therapeutic measures and psychiatric comorbidities.
The project is supported by the Network University Medicine: Second funding phase "NUM 2.0" (FKZ: 01KX2121).
Project team
Prof. Dr. Marie von Lilienfeld-Toal
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
+49 234 32 12385 info-dimrub "«@&.de
Anne-Christin Gude
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
+49 234 32 12434 Anne-Christin.Guderub "«@&.de
Regional deprivation and health in Bochum
In this project, we are investigating how health and life expectancy differ between Bochum's neighbourhoods and what role socio-economic disadvantage plays in this.
Project details
The project is based on the "German Index of Multiple Deprivation" (GIMD). This is a method that measures how disadvantaged a region is - for example in terms of income, unemployment or environmental pollution. Studies show that people in more disadvantaged areas fall ill more often or die earlier. In Germany, such differences have so far only been analysed between cities or federal states.
We are now transferring this approach to the neighbourhood level for the first time by comparing the 30 statistical districts in Bochum. The aim is to visualise and better understand social differences in health. In this way, we can find out where there is a particularly great need for health support.
The results can thus serve as an evidence-based decision-making basis for a more needs-orientated distribution of resources and targeted municipal health promotion.
Project team
Prof. Dr. sc. med. Ina Otte
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
+49 234 32 12385 info-dimrub "«@&.de
Prof. Dr. Marie von Lilienfeld-Toal
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
+49 234 32 12385 info-dimrub "«@&.de
Maja Kuehl M. A.
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
Maja.Kuehlrub "«@&.de
Tobias Sachs M. Sc.
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
44789 Bochum
0234-32-17586Tobias.Sachsrub "«@&.de