Nikolaus Möckelmann
University of Hamburg
Network
Latest external collaboration on country level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots.
Publication
Featured researches published by Nikolaus Möckelmann.
Head and Neck-journal for The Sciences and Specialties of The Head and Neck | 2015
Balazs B. Lörincz; Nikolaus Möckelmann; Chia-Jung Busch; R. Knecht
This is a single‐institution prospective study in a tertiary care center to evaluate feasibility, completeness of resection, and functional outcomes for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) treated primarily with transoral robotic‐assisted resection.
European Archives of Oto-rhino-laryngology | 2014
Nikolaus Möckelmann; Simon Laban; K. Pantel; R. Knecht
Metastasis and the associated loss of function of vital organs in the course of the disease is one of the main causes of death in head and neck cancer patients. An earlier and more reliable determination of metastasis and recurrence than currently obtained by common imaging methods could improve therapy and therefore the prognosis of head and neck cancer patients. The detection of tumor cells, which circulate in the blood of cancer patients, known as circulating tumor cells and those that can be found in the bone marrow, called disseminated tumor cells (DTC) provides a diagnostic source especially for those patients at high risk of locoregional recurrence or distant failure. Circulating tumor cells (CTC) have been identified as a prognostic factor in different solid tumors. In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, there are data for a similar prognostic relevance. The methods of detection of CTC/DTC, the role in diagnosis and follow-up in head and neck cancer are summarized in this review. Furthermore, the future technical and clinical challenges to be addressed to establish CTC/DTC in clinical routine are being critically discussed.
European Archives of Oto-rhino-laryngology | 2012
Thiemo Kurzweg; Nikolaus Möckelmann; Simon Laban; R. Knecht
The majority of patients with a squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck present with locally advanced tumors. The first-line treatment of locally advanced tumor stages consists of a combined modality management. Despite these aggressive protocols, many patients develop locoregional recurrences or metastasis and place particularly high demands on the interdisciplinary treatment team. Treatment with a curative intent must be differentiated from a palliative one. In addition to prior treatment, resectability, age and performance status, patient wishes must be taken into consideration in treatment planning, especially considering that most therapies offer little to no overall survival benefit. Salvage surgery, chemo- and target therapies, and reirradiation are head and neck surgeon’s and radiooncologist’s weapons in the fight against these strong opponents. This review focuses on publications and meeting news from last year and reviews the current status of the clinical application of each treatment modality in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer.
International Journal of Surgery | 2015
Balazs B. Lörincz; Chia-Jung Busch; Nikolaus Möckelmann; R. Knecht
INTRODUCTION The primary advantage of robotic thyroidectomy is to avoid a neck scar. On the other hand, this sophisticated technique implies some potential risks otherwise not associated with conventional thyroidectomy, increased costs, and prolonged operating times. With all these factors being an important issue, we analysed the data of our initial European series in order to understand the nature of the learning curve for this technique. METHODS Ten patients underwent transaxillary robotic thyroidectomy for benign disease, performed consistently by the same surgeon with the same team, within a timeframe of 12 months. There were four total thyroidectomies and six hemithyroidectomies. Operating times broken down into creating the working space, docking the robot, and console work (including wound closure), were prospectively recorded and evaluated. RESULTS By the end of the initial learning curve comprising ten patients, the total operating time for a robotic hemithyroidectomy and for a total thyroidectomy has decreased by 49% to 190 min, and by 31% to 229 min, respectively. Intraoperative complications were successfully managed without conversion to open access surgery. CONCLUSION The learning curve for transaxillary robotic thyroidectomy is rather steep; reasonable progress in terms of operating times can be achieved within the first ten cases. Consistency in the team and careful patient selection are paramount factors for success.
Oncotarget | 2016
Nikolaus Möckelmann; Thorsten Rieckmann; Chia-Jung Busch; Lisa Gleißner; Konstantin Hoffer; Maria Omniczynski; Leonhard Steinmeister; Simon Laban; Reidar Grénman; Cordula Petersen; Kai Rothkamm; Ekkehard Dikomey; Rainald Knecht; Malte Kriegs
Despite aggressive chemoradiation (CRT) protocols in the treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), the outcome is still unfavorable. To improve therapy efficacy we had already successfully tested the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib in combination with irradiation (IR) in previous studies on HNSCC cell lines. In this study we investigated its effect on combined CRT treatment using cisplatin.Radio- and chemosensitivity with and without sorafenib was measured in four HNSCC cell lines and normal fibroblasts (NF) by colony formation assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle analysis were performed by flow cytometry. In HNSCC cells, sorafenib enhanced the antiproliferative effect of cisplatin without affecting apoptosis induction and with only minor effects on cell inactivation. Sorafenib added prior to irradiation enhanced cellular radiosensitivity in three of the tested HNSCC cell lines and caused massive overall cell inactivation when combined with CRT. In contrast, sorafenib did not radiosensitize NF and reduced cisplatin-induced cell inactivation. Cell inactivation by IR and cisplatin is further increased by the addition of sorafenib in HNSCC, but not in NF cells. Therefore, sorafenib is a promising candidate to improve therapy efficacy for HNSCC.
International Journal of Surgery | 2016
Nikolaus Möckelmann; Balazs B. Lörincz; R. Knecht
INTRODUCTION Recently, several authors introduced various methods and published feasibility studies on novel robotic-assisted neck dissection techniques for head and neck cancer patients. Cosmesis and general appearance have become important concerns of cancer patients today. Especially in the head and neck area, a conspicuous scar can reduce patient satisfaction after surgery. With conventional neck dissection techniques, a long scar in the neck is unavoidable. Therefore, the development of robotic assisted neck dissection provides the patients with a scarless neck in these situations. However, there are some limitations of the application of these techniques in their current stage of development. METHODS This study was performed using a systematic literature review. RESULTS The reviewed clinical studies show that robotic-assisted neck dissection yields similar functional and early oncologic outcomes to that of conventional neck dissection, as well as excellent cosmetic satisfaction of patients. Despite these benefits, some disadvantages can be observed, in terms of longer operation times as well as higher procedure costs. CONCLUSION Besides the similar oncologic and functional outcomes compared with the open procedure so far, more prospective, controlled, multicenter studies are required to establish robotic-assisted neck dissection as an alternative standard and to justify its added costs beyond the cosmetic advantages.
Head and Neck-journal for The Sciences and Specialties of The Head and Neck | 2016
Balazs B. Lörincz; Nikolaus Möckelmann; Chia-Jung Busch; Markus Hezel; R. Knecht
Automatic periodic stimulation (APS) of the vagus nerve during thyroid surgery may provide the patient with increased safety to prevent impending thermal or stretch‐related injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN).
Oncotarget | 2016
Chia-Jung Busch; Malte Kriegs; Fruzsina Gatzemeier; Katharina Krüger; Nikolaus Möckelmann; Gerhard Fritz; Cordula Petersen; Rainald Knecht; Kai Rothkamm; Thorsten Rieckmann
Patients with HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) show better survival rates than those with HPV-negative HNSCC. While an enhanced radiosensitivity of HPV-positive tumors is clearly evident from single modality treatment, cisplatin is never administered as monotherapy and therefore its contribution to the enhanced cure rates of HPV-positive HNSCC is not known. Both cisplatin and radiotherapy can cause severe irreversible side effects and therefore various clinical studies are currently testing deintensified regimes for patients with HPV-positive HNSCC. One strategy is to omit cisplatin-based chemotherapy or replace it by less toxic treatments but the risk assessment of these approaches remains difficult. In this study we have compared the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin in a panel of HPV-positive and -negative HNSCC cell lines alone and when combined with radiation. While cisplatin-treated HPV-positive strains showed a slightly stronger inhibition of proliferation, there was no difference regarding colony formation. Cellular responses to the drug, namely cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and γH2AX-induction did not differ between the two entities but assessment of cisplatin-DNA-adducts suggests differences regarding the mechanisms that determine cisplatin sensitivity. Combining cisplatin with radiation, we generally observed an additive but only in a minority of strains from both entities a clear synergistic effect on colony formation. In summary, HPV-positive and -negative HNSCC cells were equally sensitive to cisplatin. Therefore replacing cisplatin may be feasible but the substituting agent should be of similar efficacy in order not to jeopardize the high cure rates for HPV-positive HNSCC.
Head and Neck-journal for The Sciences and Specialties of The Head and Neck | 2016
Nikolaus Möckelmann; Malte Kriegs; Balazs B. Lörincz; Chia-Jung Busch; R. Knecht
Significant evidence exists supporting the use of platinum‐based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) as a primary curative approach in locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer (HNSCC). Despite these aggressive protocols, 70% of patients die within 5 years because of locoregional recurrence or distant metastasis. To increase the response and survival of patients with HNSCC, CRT has been combined with molecular agents targeting distinct kinases.
European Archives of Oto-rhino-laryngology | 2015
Balazs B. Lörincz; Chia-Jung Busch; Nikolaus Möckelmann; Rainald Knecht