Metabolic and Immune Imaging Biomarkers

The research activities of this group are dedicated to new metabolism and immune system-directed predictive and prognostic imaging biomarkers. This includes the use of antibody derivatives, peptides, or small molecules for evaluating the functional expression of specific molecules or characterizing metabolic or immune-modulatory cells and mechanisms, primarily in tumor microenvironment. Such biomarkers enable a non-invasive assessment of targets suitable for antibodies or other therapeutic strategies targeting a specific antigen. They also identify tumor targets suitable for immuno-oncological strategies, including combination therapies, and allow for the visualization of immune components crucial to the tumor microenvironment. This also includes approaches for non-invasive monitoring of biodistribution, trafficking and fate of immune cells in order to preclinically evaluate mechanisms of their tissue-specific colonization and possibly their therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, we pursue innovative approaches leading to the identification of pharmacodynamic and response biomarkers. Another area of ​​research is the clarification and reduction of adverse effects of therapeutic radionuclides or radiotherapeutics on the hematopoietic system and other radiosensitive organs.

Recent key publications

• Neuber C et al., Int J Mol Sci. 26:2582, 2025.
• Loureiro LR et al., J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 42:341, 2023.

Projects (multicenter)

• Development and preclinical characterization of radio(immune)theranostic approaches targeting human fibroblast activation protein (FAP) within in the Helmholtz International Laboratory MHELTHERA

Research initiatives

• Theranostic approaches based on trained myeloid cells (collaboration within Dresden concept (DDc) research group Inflammation and Myelopoiesis)