GEKKO Study
Don't give cancer a chance - Oncology Check
The GEKKO Study is a large-scale scientific study performed at the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg in cooperation with gastroenterology practices in the Rhine-Neckar district and associated clinics of the Heidelberg University Hospital, such as the surgical clinic, the Interdisciplinary Endoscopy Center (IEZ), the breast center, and the "Thoraxklinik."
Aim of the study
The study aims to discover and evaluate new diagnostic tests for an even earlier recognition of cancer and its precursors since the chances of cure for most cancer types are much better when the disease is detected early on.
Involved partners and study procedure
The Division of Preventive Oncology at the NCT Heidelberg started the study in January 2016. The study program includes two arms: In arm A, participants presenting for a diagnostic or screening colonoscopy procedure are invited to take part in the study. This happens in collaboration with gastroenterological cooperation partners in Heidelberg and the surrounding area. In Arm B, patients going to the hospital for initial treatment of a newly diagnosed gastrointestinal tumor and selected other cancers, such as lung or breast cancer, are invited to participate. Here, the study is conducted in collaboration with the Heidelberg University Hospital and surrounding clinics. In both study arms, participation includes the completion of a questionnaire and the donation of biospecimens (blood, saliva, urine, stool). With the GEKKO study, we want to significantly contribute to the development of new procedures for early detection of cancer using simple examinations, such as new blood tests. This can potentially improve the chances of cure.
Information for study participants
The study relies on every single participant. Only if as many people as possible participate, can we develop and evaluate new cancer screening methods for early detection of cancer using simple examinations, for example, of blood, saliva, urine, or stool samples.
Please note that you can only participate in the study if you speak German.
Information on study arm A
© dkfz.de
In study arm A, potential participants receive an information folder about the GEKKO study when they visit their gastroenterologist. The folder includes additional information about the study, for example, a flyer in German and other relevant participant information. In addition, it contains a short questionnaire on health behavior and lifestyle. Completing the questionnaire takes about 15 minutes.
We ask our participants to make an appointment with the NCT Heidelberg by phone before making the appointment for the colonoscopy with the physician. During their visit to the NCT Heidelberg, they receive detailed information about the study. After confirming their participation in the study and signing the informed consent form, we ask them to provide one sample each of blood, saliva, urine, and stool. As an expense allowance, participants will receive a prevention bag with practical suggestions and current recommendations for a healthy lifestyle, as well as the latest information on cancer prevention, especially colorectal cancer prevention. A voucher for the cafeteria at the NCT Heidelberg and parking reimbursement are also included.
Information on study arm B
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In study arm B, patients with indications of gastrointestinal, breast, and lung cancer are informed directly about the study through the corresponding clinics and recruited by members of the GEKKO study team. If the patient agrees, he or she will be asked once more for one blood, saliva, stool, and urine sample each.
Don't hesitate to get in touch with our study center, if you have any questions about the process. You will find our contact details further down in the text.
Cooperation partners
Various practices and clinics in the Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen, Sinsheim and Bruchsal area are cooperating with us in the GEKKO study. Informing and admitting the participants for the study takes place in the GEKKO study centers at the NCT or DKFZ and also in the practices and clinics of our cooperation partners.
Cooperating Institutions, Outpatient Clinics, and Hospitals:
Outpatient practices where the GEKKO team is recruiting on site:
- Dr. med. Johann-Thomas Schmidt
Dr. med. Thorsten Schlenker
Specialists in internal medicine and gastroenterology
Praxis am Park
Kurfürstenanlage 34
69115 Heidelberg
Phone: +49 6221 - 65 11 77
Fax: +49 6221 - 65 11 799
E-mail: info@praxis-schmidt-schlenker.de
www.praxis-schmidt-schlenker.de - Specialists for Internal Medicine
Dr. med. Joachim Siedl
Dr. med. Wolfgang Willareth
Partnerschaftsgesellschaft (partnership company)
Alte Waibstadter Staße 2c
74889 Sinsheim
Phone: +49 7261 - 949 87 80
Fax: +49 7261 - 949 87 87
E-Mail: info@siedl-willareth.de
www.siedl-willareth.de
Clinics recruiting for GEKKO:
- Fürst-Stirum-Clinic Bruchsal
Study Department Intestinal Center
Prof. Dr. med. Tom M. Ganten
Ms. Jeanette Fehrer
Gutleutstraße 1-14
76646 Bruchsal
Phone: +49 7251 - 70 80 - Clinical Center of the City of Ludwigshafen
Medical Clinics A and C
Bremserstrasse 79
67063 Ludwigshafen
Outpatient practices and clinics assigning patients to us:
- Gynecologic Oncology
National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg
Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Schneeweiss
Im Neuenheimer Feld 460
69120 Heidelberg - Interdisciplinary Endoscopy Center (IEZ) Heidelberg
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Sauer / Prof. Dr. med. Anja Schaible, MBA
www.iez-heidelberg.de
Im Neuenheimer Feld 410
69120 Heidelberg - Dr. med. Fadi Chahoud
Specialist in internal medicine
Gastroenterology
Health Center Bethanien at Agaplesion Bethanien Hospital
Görresstrasse 22
69126 Heidelberg
Phone +49 6221 / 338370
Fax +49 6221 / 338378 - Gastroenterology
Dr. med. Martin Fischer
Hauptstr. 119
76669 Bad Schönborn
Phone +49 7253 / 21806
Fax +49 7253 / 27454
Former cooperating outpatient clinics and hospitals: who took part in the GEKKO study:
- Dr. med. Lars Helmstädter, Gastroenterologie im Mathematikon, Heidelberg
- Prof. Dr. med. Robert Ehehalt, Praxis für Gastroenterologie Heidelberg
- Gemeinschaftspraxis Dr. med. Isabelle Neureither and Dr. med. Sabine Schumacher, Heidelberg
- Praxis Drs. med. Hecker & Thome, ATOS Klinik Heidelberg
- Praxis Prof. Dr. med. Birgit Kallinowski, Gastroenterologie Schwetzingen
- Internistische Facharztpraxis Drs. med. Gernot Gast and Peter Wagner, Weinheim
- Schwerpunktpraxis für Gastroenterologie Dr. med. Jürgen Weers, Mannheim
- Schwerpunktpraxis Dr. med. Norbert Bruhn, Gastroenterologie / Hämatologie & Onkologie, Karlsruhe
- Gastroenterologie und Innere Medizin I, PD Dr. med. Uwe Seitz, Kreiskrankenhaus Bergstraße,
- Heppenheim
- Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Klinik Schillerhöhe, Gerlingen
- Thoraxklinik, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg
Contact
If you have any questions about the study, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.
GEKKO Study Team
National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg
Preventive Oncology
Im Neuenheimer Feld 460
69120 Heidelberg
Phone: 06221-56 35095
E-mail: gekko@nct-heidelberg.de
Project Management
Prof. Dr. med. Hermann Brenner
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research
Im Neuenheimer Feld 581 and
National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 460
Preventive Oncology
69120 Heidelberg
Study Coordination
Dr. Petra Schrotz-King
National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg
Preventive Oncology
Im Neuenheimer Feld 460
69120 Heidelberg