Translational Research in Immuno-oncology and Microbiome (TRIM)
Dr. Maria Paula Roberti
Significant progress in cancer treatment has been achieved by stimulating the immune system to eliminate tumors. The microorganisms residing in our bodies are vital for immune function, and disruptions in this microbiota balance (dysbiosis) can weaken immune surveillance and reduce therapy efficacy. Targeting the microbiome, its functions, or related immunosuppressive mechanisms is a key strategy to better treat cancer.
Our Reserach
Immunotherapy led to a paradigm change of systemic tumor therapy. Many patients now benefit from improved survival and sometimes cure. However, there is urgent need to further improve immunotherapy, as a majority of patients will progress despite treatment. Recent preclinical translational and clinical studies demonstrate that the patient's (gut) microbiome is a major determinant of response to immunotherapy and highlight the potential of microbiome intervention in immuno-oncology.
In our team, we actively integrate translational data, functional assays and preclinical models, to understand and overcome mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, with a focus in gut-related subversion of anti-tumor immunity. By leveraging this knowledge, we aim to find biomarkers, patient stratification and innovative treatment combinations.
Our research group, is embedded in a multidisciplinary team with close connection to the clinic and a bioinformatics team.
Future outlook: We will continue our efforts to improve the understanding of tumor-microbiome-host interactions with a focus on T cell- and tumor-intrinsic mechanisms of resistance in Immuno-Oncology. Our ultimate goal is to bring microbiome-based personalized I-O to patients.
Projects
Mucosome
To bring Fecal Microbiota Transfer (FMT) therapy to the standard of care, the open challenge is to identify cancer patients at risk of gut-related therapy failure who are amenable to FMT. We are currently collaborating with clinicians and scientists at UKHD and NCT (Dr. C. Rauber) to conduct the "Mucosome" study (S-633/2021) with the aim of identifying biomarkers in patients with extraintestinal cancers that can be used for the selection of patients who will potentially benefit from FMT and to identify stool donors that can be used pharmacologically in a tailored donor-recipient approach in cancer therapy.
DFG Individual Research Grant. Project no. 537739196. (2024-2027)
Team
6 Employees
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Dr. Maria Paula Roberti
Group head
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Dr. Andrea Leufgen
Postdoctoral researcher
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Jasmin Zech
PhD candidate
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Annika Steitz
MD candidate
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Güner Can
MD candidate (with AG Rauber, UKHD)
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Claudia Luckner-Minden
Technical assistant
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