Early Academic Pursuits
Prof. Dr. med. Jessica C. Hassel began her academic journey in medicine at the University of Würzburg, where she achieved state exam honors with “Excellent” grades. Her MD thesis at the Institute of Physiological Chemistry I was graded “Summa cum laude,” demonstrating early academic brilliance. She was also a scholar of the prestigious German National Scholarship Foundation, reflecting recognition of her potential at a national level.
Professional Endeavors
Dr. Hassel’s career evolved through a series of prestigious positions in clinical dermatology and oncology. From internships in Heidelberg to a postdoctoral stint in Zurich, she quickly advanced to resident and attending roles in dermatology. In 2010, she became an Attending Physician at the University Hospital Heidelberg, later rising to Section Head of DermatoOncology at the NCT in 2017. In 2022, she was appointed to the Board of CCC Directors, showing her influence in national cancer research leadership.
Contributions and Research Focus On oncology
Dr. Hassel’s primary research focus lies in melanoma, immunotherapy, and dermatooncology. Her cutting-edge studies include immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapies, clinical trials, and molecular diagnostics. Her recent research, such as on soluble cMET tracking and intralesional immunocytokines, reflects a drive to personalize and enhance cancer treatment strategies. She has also investigated the mechanisms of adverse events related to immunotherapy, enriching both clinical safety standards and therapeutic outcomes.
Impact and Influence
Dr. Hassel is a leading voice in dermatooncology, contributing extensively to clinical practice and policy. Her role as Section Editor for “Skin Cancer” at the European Journal of Cancer and her membership on the Board of CCC Directors underscore her editorial and organizational leadership. Additionally, her influence spans to international oncology trials, where she contributes to standard-setting studies in metastatic melanoma and uveal melanoma, frequently publishing in high-impact journals such as Nature, The Lancet, and New England Journal of Medicine.
Research Skills
Dr. Hassel possesses exceptional research acumen in clinical trial design, immunotherapeutics, molecular oncology, and translational medicine. Her laboratory experience, especially during her sabbatical at TRON/BioNTech Mainz, strengthened her abilities in biomarker discovery and therapeutic innovation. She is also skilled in data interpretation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship, often guiding young researchers and residents in her field.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Hassel’s outstanding career is marked by numerous accolades, including the 2024 Hans-Roemer Prize, the 2023 MSD Health Prize, and multiple recognitions as a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics (2021–2023). Earlier awards include the German Skin Cancer Award (2018), Olympia-Morata Grant (2010), and the Science Award of the Unterfränkische Gedenkjahrstiftung. These reflect her academic excellence, clinical innovation, and influential scholarship.
Academic Citations
Prof. Hassel’s research impact is evident in her extensive publication record, with over 652 citations on Google Scholar and an H-index of 68, indicating sustained scientific relevance and peer recognition. Her publications often appear in top-tier journals and span basic, clinical, and translational research, making her one of the most influential voices in dermatooncology worldwide.
Legacy and Future Contributions
Dr. Hassel’s legacy is defined by her integration of clinical excellence and research leadership. As a pioneer in melanoma immunotherapy, she has helped shape global treatment guidelines and improved patient outcomes. Moving forward, she is expected to continue driving precision oncology, mentoring the next generation of clinician-scientists, and influencing international cancer policies and research frameworks.
Publications Top Notes
Title: Improved survival with ipilimumab in patients with metastatic melanoma
Authors: FS Hodi, SJ O’Day, DF McDermott, RW Weber, JA Sosman, JB Haanen, …
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine
Citations: 18,262
Note: Landmark study on ipilimumab efficacy.
Title: Nivolumab in Previously Untreated Melanoma without BRAF Mutation
Authors: C Robert, GV Long, B Brady, C Dutriaux, M Maio, L Mortier, JC Hassel, …
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine
Citations: 6,544
Title: Nivolumab vs. chemotherapy in advanced melanoma post-CTLA-4 (CheckMate 037)
Authors: JS Weber, SP D’Angelo, D Minor, FS Hodi, R Gutzmer, B Neyns, …
Journal: The Lancet Oncology
Citations: 3,202
Title: Genomic correlates of response to CTLA-4 blockade in metastatic melanoma
Authors: EM Van Allen, D Miao, B Schilling, SA Shukla, C Blank, L Zimmer, JC Hassel, …
Journal: Science
Citations: 3,016
Title: Improved survival with MEK inhibition in BRAF-mutated melanoma
Authors: KT Flaherty, C Robert, P Hersey, P Nathan, C Garbe, M Milhem, …
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine
Citations: 2,730
Title: Fatal toxic effects with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a meta-analysis
Authors: DY Wang, JE Salem, JV Cohen, S Chandra, C Menzer, F Ye, S Zhao, …
Journal: JAMA Oncology
Citations: 2,580
Title: Systemic RNA delivery to dendritic cells for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: LM Kranz, M Diken, H Haas, S Kreiter, C Loquai, KC Reuter, …
Journal: Nature
Citations: 1,823
Title: Prolonged survival in stage III melanoma with ipilimumab adjuvant therapy
Authors: AMM Eggermont, V Chiarion-Sileni, JJ Grob, R Dummer, JD Wolchok, …
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine
Citations: 1,557
Title: The genetic landscape of resistance to RAF inhibition in melanoma
Authors: EM Van Allen, N Wagle, A Sucker, DJ Treacy, CM Johannessen, …
Journal: Cancer Discovery
Citations: 1,034
Title: An RNA vaccine drives immunity in checkpoint-inhibitor-treated melanoma
Authors: U Sahin, P Oehm, E Derhovanessian, RA Jabulowsky, M Vormehr, …, JC Hassel, …
Journal: Nature
Citations: 923
Title: Anti-PD-1 therapy in patients with autoimmune disorders or prior ipilimumab toxicity
Authors: AM Menzies, DB Johnson, S Ramanujam, VG Atkinson, ANM Wong, …
Journal: Annals of Oncology
Citations: 879
Title: Overall survival benefit with tebentafusp in metastatic uveal melanoma
Authors: P Nathan, JC Hassel, P Rutkowski, JF Baurain, MO Butler, M Schlaak, …
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine
Citations: 809
Title: Side-effects of anti-PD-1 therapy: Cutaneous to renal
Authors: L Hofmann, A Forschner, C Loquai, SM Goldinger, L Zimmer, S Ugurel, …
Journal: European Journal of Cancer
Citations: 735
Title: Ipilimumab therapy in patients with preexisting autoimmune disorders
Authors: DB Johnson, RJ Sullivan, PA Ott, MS Carlino, NI Khushalani, F Ye, …
Journal: JAMA Oncology
Citations: 672
Title: Nivolumab ± ipilimumab in mucosal melanoma: pooled analysis
Authors: SP D’Angelo, J Larkin, JA Sosman, C Lebbé, B Brady, B Neyns, …
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology
Citations: 645
Title: Neurological and organ-specific toxicities of anti-PD-1 therapy
Authors: L Zimmer, SM Goldinger, L Hofmann, C Loquai, S Ugurel, I Thomas, …
Journal: European Journal of Cancer
Citations: 624
Title: Baseline biomarkers for pembrolizumab outcome in melanoma
Authors: B Weide, A Martens, JC Hassel, C Berking, MA Postow, K Bisschop, …
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research
Citations: 618