Applied Tumor Immunity

The research group "Applied Tumor Immunity" with its close connection to the clinic is actively integrating clinical data with biomarker exploration and functional assays to understand and overcome T cell- and tumor-intrinsic mechanisms of resistance or escape mechanisms in immuno-oncology. Further, the host (gut) microbiome as a tumor extrinsic factor is a major determinant of response to immunotherapy and we will increase our focus on host-microbiome interaction. We are establishing methods to assess T cell fitness by T cell immunophenotyping and through this aim to define the phenotype of a successful T cell product for immunomonitoring of patients undergoing T cell therapy in the context of translational research programs.

In collaboration with the Department of Medical Oncology (UKHD), Prof. S. Eichmüller and Dr. R. Harbottle (DKFZ) and with strong support by the Dietmar-Hopp-Foundation we envision to establish a network in the area of immune and cellular therapies which integrates development, GMP production and administration. This will enable us to develop innovative therapy approaches and produce study drugs for Phase I trials at the NCT, the UKHD, for partner sites within the NCT network as well as to serve as manufacturer for approved cellular drugs.

• Cellular Therapies
• Microbiome
• Predictive biomarker discovery
• Tumor-host interactions

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