Horst Zitzelsberger

Horst Zitzelsberger is Head of the Research Unit Translational Metabolic Oncology at Helmholtz Zentrum München and an Associate Professor at the Medical Faculty of Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich. He earned his diploma in human genetics and doctorate in biology.

His research focuses on translational radiation oncology with specialization in head and neck cancer, molecular mechanisms of radiation-induced carcinogenesis, multi-omics approaches, and personalized cancer treatment. Key interests include:

• Molecular cytogenetics and tumor heterogeneity
• Development of prognostic markers for therapeutic stratification
• Tumor metabolic processes and immune escape mechanisms
• Translational bioinformatics for precision oncology

Recent publications (2017-2022) demonstrate strong emphasis on head and neck cancer biomarkers, miRNA signatures, transcriptomic classification, and therapy resistance mechanisms. Research consistently integrates multi-omics data with clinical outcomes to develop predictive models and therapeutic targets.

He leads a translational research team comprising two laboratory groups:

• Translational Bioinformatics (Dr. Martin Selmansberger)
• Experimental Translational Oncology (Dr. Julia Hess)

and maintains clinical collaborations with LMU University Clinics and national/international partners. The unit focuses on molecular characterization of therapy-resistant tumors and development of precision treatment strategies.