Department of Radioimmunology

The work of the Department of Radioimmunology is focused on the development of novel immunotheranostic strategies for the therapy and diagnosis of tumors. Our technologies include antibody (Ab)-based and cellular immunotherapies which are based on chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). On the one hand, we develop recombinant bispecific humanized Abs and Ab-derivatives for the redirection of immune T lymphocytes to target and kill tumor cells. On the other hand, we develop switchable adapter CAR platforms, namely the UniCAR and RevCAR system. Thereby, adapter CAR-expressing immune cells (T cells, NK cells) can be steered by adapter molecules (namely target modules, TMs) allowing an effective and safe personalized immunotherapy. In order to further improve immunotherapies, we try to understand and modulate the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) via targeting regulatory T cells or checkpoint molecules. Additionally, we investigate the combination of these immunotherapies with other anti-tumor therapeutic approaches, especially external or internal radiotherapy. In fact, our TMs can be radiolabeled and used for tumor targeting and/or imaging depending on the selected radionuclide. Due to its modular character our platform technology is broadly applicable also for infectious or autoimmune diseases and transplantation rejection reactions (e.g. graft versus host diseases). 

Research Topics

• Antibody-based immunotheranostics for tumor therapy and diagnosis

• Adapter CAR-based immunotheranostics for personalized immunotherapy and diagnosis

• Modulation of tumor microenvironment

• Development of immuno- and radiotherapy

• Personalized immunotheranostics for acute myeloid leukemia