Department of Radioimmunology

The work of the Department of Radioimmunology is focused on the development of novel strategies and technologies of antibody-based immunotherapies as well as cellular immunotherapies. Our efforts include the imaging of the course of the respective immunotherapy in order to adapt the treatment plan in case tumor escape variants occur. It includes the development and characterization of novel immunotherapeutics as well as diagnostics from bench to bedside. We focus on development of recombinant humanized antibodies and derivates thereof (e.g. BiTEs, scFvs, nanobodies, TCRs) and their use for individualized immunotherapy and imaging. In addition, we develop novel advanced cellular immunotherapy approaches (e.g. highly flexible modular and switchable chimeric antigen receptors (CARs)) and technologies for imaging of the therapeutic course. In order to improve immunotherapies we try to understand and modulate the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via manipulation in particular with regulatory T cells (Tregs). An additional topic of our work is the combination of these immunotherapies with other tumor therapies, especially with external or internal radiotherapy. 

Research Topics

• Antibody-based immunotherapeutics and diagnostics for therapy and imaging of tumors
• Cellular immunotherapeutics for an individualized immunotherapy and diagnostics
• Modulation of the tumor microenvironment via manipulation with regulatory T cells and checkpoint inhibitors
• Combination of immunotherapies with other tumor therapies (e.g. external or internal radiotherapy)
• Nano-Microsystems for life sciences