About the GHSG

The Trial Coordination Center of the GHSG focuses on the conceptual design and preparation of clinical trials, documentation of patient data (courses of disease, etc.), data management and on the analysis and publication of study results.

So far over 15,000 patients have been included in the GHSG’s trials and have been treated according to the respective trial protocols. The trials dealing with the first-line treatment in Hodgkin lymphoma are currently in their sixth generation.

The GHSG is based on a close cooperation of physicians, including oncologists, radiotherapists, nuclear-medical specialists, radiologists and pathologists, together with specialists for fundamental sciences, biomathematics and statistics, which has led to a continuous optimization of treatment regimens from trial generation to trial generation, so that 75-90% of Hodgkin lymphoma patients can be fully cured today.

The GHSG is financially supported by the Deutsche Krebshilfe (German Cancer Aid).

Aims and objectives

The key aim of the GHSG is to optimize and standardize diagnostics, therapy and follow-up care in Hodgkin lymphoma patients. This is to be achieved by the following scientific and structural measures:

Scientific measures

• Conducting prospective, randomized, stage-adapted multicenter trials
• Minimizing treatment-related adverse reactions while maintaining treatment efficacy
• Individualizing therapy
• Documenting adverse effects of treatment such as infertility, late toxicities and secondary malignancies
• Examining the patients’ quality of life
• Identifying risk factors
• Introducing and establishing new agents in Hodgkin lymphoma therapy
• Developing new innovative treatment regimens

Structural measures

• Involving as many hospitals and oncology practices in the trials as possible, both at national and international level
• Having diagnoses confirmed by the review pathologists of the German lymphoma trials
• Cooperating with different medical specialists, such as oncologists, radiotherapists, nuclear-medical specialists, pathologists and specialists for fundamental research, statistics and other areas, on a sustained basis
• Cooperating with self-help groups and supporting these groups