AG Kommoss Gynäkopathologie

Our research group focuses on the molecular characterization of gynecologic tumors, including sarcomas and other rare tumors of the female genital tract. We also investigate hereditary tumor-predisposition syndromes, particularly neoplasms associated with DICER1 tumor predisposition syndrome.

Many of these tumors are morphologically heterogeneous and diagnostically challenging. Although recent molecular studies have improved their classification, the mechanisms underlying tumor development, progression, and phenotypic diversity remain incompletely understood. In many cases, advances in molecular characterization have not yet translated into more effective diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.

Our research aims to identify molecular drivers and biologically relevant tumor subgroups, refine the classification of gynecologic neoplasms, and define biomarkers with potential diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic relevance. We are particularly interested in the relationships between tumor genotype, morphology, cellular differentiation, and intratumoral heterogeneity.

We combine traditional pathologic approaches with comprehensive molecular profiling. Our methods include histomorphology, immunohistochemistry, DNA and RNA sequencing, DNA methylation profiling, and spatial transcriptomics.

Our projects are conducted in close collaboration with clinical and scientific partners at Heidelberg University Hospital, the National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, and the German Cancer Research Center, as well as with national and international collaborators.

Selected Publications

Yeung MCF, Ip PPC, Bennett JA, Lee JC, Nam MH, Fontanges Q, Tessier-Cloutier B, Niu S, Xing D, Quiroga-Garza GM, John I, von Deimling A, Demicco EG, Dickson BC, Antonescu CR, Croce S, Kommoss FKF. Integrated Clinicopathological and Multiomic Profiling Reveals MEIS1-rearranged Sarcoma as a Distinct Entity with Two Prognostic Subgroups. Mod Pathol. 2026 Jul 18:101041. 

Kommoss FKF, Zhang JYH, Lynch BJ, Chen SY, Senz J, Moscovitz Y, Hill LA, Ma D, Scott RW, Bush J, Chen KS, Roth A, von Deimling A, Foulkes WD, Morin GB, Underhill TM, Wang Y, Huntsman DG. Spatial single cell transcriptomic analysis informs tumor developmental hierarchy of DICER1 syndrome related sarcoma. Nat Commun. 2026 Mar 30;17(1):4608.

Lee CH, Lee YS, Bennett JA, Kolin DL, Lee JC, Huang HY, Köbel M, Sementsov M, Dickson BC, Koelsche C, Kommoss F, von Deimling A, Kommoss FKF. GREB1-rearranged uterine tumour shares a common DNA methylation signature with ESR1-rearranged UTROSCT. Histopathology. 2026 Apr;88(5):1084-1093.

Kommoss FKF, Chong AS, Chong AL, Pfaff E, Jones DTW, Hiemcke-Jiwa LS, Kester LA, Flucke U, Gessler M, Schrimpf D, Sahm F, Clarke BA, Stewart CJR, Wang Y, Gilks CB, Kommoss F, Huntsman DG, Schüller U, Koelsche C, McCluggage WG, von Deimling A, Foulkes WD. Genomic characterization of DICER1-associated neoplasms uncovers molecular classes. Nat Commun. 2023 Mar 25;14(1):1677. 

Kommoss FKF, Mar LM, Howitt BE, Hanley K, Turashvilli G, Buslei R, Irving JA, Dickson BC, Koelsche C, Sinn HP, Schirmacher P, von Deimling A, Chiang S, McCluggage WG, Croce S, Stewart CJR, Lee CH. High-Grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcomas With YWHAE::NUTM2 Gene Fusion Exhibit Recurrent CDKN2A Alterations and Absence of p16 Staining is a Poor Prognostic Marker. Mod Pathol. 2023 Mar;36(3):100044.

Kommoss FK, Tessier-Cloutier B, Witkowski L, Forgo E, Koelsche C, Köbel M, Foulkes WD, Lee CH, Kolin DL, von Deimling A, Howitt BE. Cellular context determines DNA methylation profiles in SWI/SNF-deficient cancers of the gynecologic tract. J Pathol. 2022 Jun;257(2):140-145.

Contact

Dr. med. Felix Kommoss