Detail

Keywords

gastric cancer; oesophageal cancer

Research interests

My work centers on improving outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal cancers, especially gastroesophageal malignancies. I study clinical, immunological, and molecular biomarkers in real-world populations to refine prognostic models and support personalized treatment. In parallel, I investigate clinical trial design and eligibility criteria to broaden patient access and enhance trial validity. By combining translational oncology with methodological research, I aim to bridge biological insights and real-world clinical practice.

Techniques, methods & infrastructure

My expertise covers prognostic modeling, survival analyses, and risk score development based on large patient datasets. During a fellowship at the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), I gained experience in clinical trial methodology, eligibility assessment, and international data harmonization.

Grants

• Age dependent epigenetic drivers of gastroesophageal cancer progression (2021)
  Source of Funding: Medical Scientific Fund of the Mayor of the City of Vienna, Research grant of the city of Vienna for innovative, interdisciplinary cancer research
  Principal Investigator
• Immunological, genetic and prognostic factors related to outcome in patients with upper gastrointestinal tract cancer (2021)
  Source of Funding: City of Vienna, PhD Martina Hamböck Grant of the Austrian Medical Chamber
  Principal Investigator

Selected publications

1. Puhr, H.C. et al. (2022) ‘Development of an alarm symptom-based risk prediction score for localized oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma (VIOLA score)’, ESMO Open, 7(4), p. 100519. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100519.
2. Puhr HC, Winkler EC, Preusser M. Ethnic origin in cancer clinical trials: overrated or understated? – A comprehensive analysis of cancer clinical trials leading to FDA and EMA approvals between 2020 and 2022. ESMO Open (IF 2023: 7.1, Percentile 2023: 87.7; IF 2024: 8.3, Percentile 2024: 88.9). 2025 January.
3. Puhr, H.C. et al. (2022) ‘Absorption of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Cancer Patients after Gastrectomy’, Pharmaceutics, 14(3), p. 662. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14030662.
4. Puhr, H.C. et al. (2020) ‘Viennese risk prediction score for Advanced Gastroesophageal carcinoma based on Alarm Symptoms (VAGAS score): characterisation of alarm symptoms in advanced gastro-oesophageal cancer and its correlation with outcome’, ESMO Open, 5(2), p. e000623. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/esmoopen-2019-000623.
5. Puhr HC, Xenophontos E, Giraut A, Litière S, Boone L, Bogaerts J, Collienne M, Preusser M. Kidney function assessment for eligibility in clinical cancer trials – data from the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer. European Journal of Cancer (IF 2023: 7.6, Percentile 2023: 88.4, IF 2024: 7.1, Percentile: 86.2). 2024 August.