Harriet Wikman-Kocher

Prof. Dr. Harriet Wikman-Kocher is a Professor and Head of Research Group at the Institute of Tumor Biology, part of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hamburg. Her research focuses on liquid biopsy technologies, cancer metastasis, and molecular mechanisms in oncology, particularly in pancreatic, breast, lung, and brain cancers. She leads studies on circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cell-free DNA (ctDNA), and extracellular vesicles (EVs) to identify prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. Her work integrates clinical and experimental approaches to advance understanding of tumor progression and therapeutic resistance.

• Expertise: Liquid biopsies, metastasis biology, CTCs/ctDNA analysis, cancer genomics, neuro-oncology.
• Key affiliations: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Center for Experimental Medicine.

Her research emphasizes translational applications, such as improving early detection and monitoring of cancer through non-invasive methods. Collaborations include projects on immunotherapy biomarkers, brain metastasis mechanisms, and precision medicine strategies.