The main focus of this laboratory is to study the fundamental mechanisms that govern the interaction of cancer cells with the immune system. In particular, our laboratory is trying to exploit the fact that cancer cells usually carry cancer-specific mutations and antigens, and that under certain conditions, the immune system can destroy cancer cells even after they have disseminated in the body. We are trying to understand the mechanisms that often allow immunogenic cancer cells to escape immune destruction, and we want to develop new strategies and principles on which to base novel therapeutic approaches. We are also studying the signals needed for the immune system to be alerted be cancer cells, and then to destroy these cells. Finally, we combine immunology with genetics and biochemistry, which provides us with a powerful tool to search for cancer-specific changes in malignant cells in order to identify critical mechanisms and immunological targets that can be used to destroy the cancer.
The University of Chicago
Chicago
Ph.D
1977
Charite University Medicine
Berlin, Germany
Internship
1974
State of Baden-Wuerttemberg
Germany
Medical License
1974
Oak Ridge National Laboratory/Atomic Energy Comission, Biology Division
Post Doctoral - Experimental Carcinogenesis, Microbiology, and Cytology
1973
Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates
Diploma
1973
University of Freiburg
Germany
MD
1969
University of Freiburg
Germany
D.M.Sc. - Experimental Pathology, Radiation Biology
1969
Pritzer School of Medicine
Residency - Anatomic Pathology
Selection of therapeutically effective T-cell receptors from the diverse tumor-bearing repertoire.
Selection of therapeutically effective T-cell receptors from the diverse tumor-bearing repertoire. J Immunother Cancer. 2025 May 02; 13(5).
PMID: 40316304
CD4+ T cells with convergent TCR recombination reprogram stroma and halt tumor progression in adoptive therapy.
CD4+ T cells with convergent TCR recombination reprogram stroma and halt tumor progression in adoptive therapy. Sci Immunol. 2024 Sep 13; 9(99):eadp6529.
PMID: 39270007
One CD4+TCR and One CD8+TCR Targeting Autochthonous Neoantigens Are Essential and Sufficient for Tumor Eradication.
One CD4+TCR and One CD8+TCR Targeting Autochthonous Neoantigens Are Essential and Sufficient for Tumor Eradication. Clin Cancer Res. 2024 Apr 15; 30(8):1642-1654.
PMID: 38190111
The safety and efficacy of systemic delivery of a new liver-de-targeted TGFß signaling inhibiting adenovirus in an immunocompetent triple negative mouse mammary tumor model.
The safety and efficacy of systemic delivery of a new liver-de-targeted TGFß signaling inhibiting adenovirus in an immunocompetent triple negative mouse mammary tumor model. Cancer Gene Ther. 2024 Apr; 31(4):574-585.
PMID: 38267626
The Safety and Efficacy of Systemic Delivery of a New Liver-de-targeted TGFß Signaling Inhibiting Adenovirus in an Immunocompetent Triple Negative Mouse Mammary Tumor Model.
The Safety and Efficacy of Systemic Delivery of a New Liver-de-targeted TGFß Signaling Inhibiting Adenovirus in an Immunocompetent Triple Negative Mouse Mammary Tumor Model. Res Sq. 2023 Sep 14.
PMID: 37790556
Single CAR-T cell treatment controls disseminated ovarian cancer in a syngeneic mouse model.
Single CAR-T cell treatment controls disseminated ovarian cancer in a syngeneic mouse model. J Immunother Cancer. 2023 05; 11(5).
PMID: 37258040
Antigen-Multimers: Specific, Sensitive, Precise, and Multifunctional High-Avidity CAR-Staining Reagents.
Antigen-Multimers: Specific, Sensitive, Precise, and Multifunctional High-Avidity CAR-Staining Reagents. Matter. 2021 Dec 01; 4(12):3917-3940.
PMID: 34901832
Criteria to make animal studies more relevant to treating human cancer.
Criteria to make animal studies more relevant to treating human cancer. Curr Opin Immunol. 2022 02; 74:25-31.
PMID: 34619458
Cooperation of genes in HPV16 E6/E7-dependent cervicovaginal carcinogenesis trackable by endoscopy and independent of exogenous estrogens or carcinogens.
Cooperation of genes in HPV16 E6/E7-dependent cervicovaginal carcinogenesis trackable by endoscopy and independent of exogenous estrogens or carcinogens. Carcinogenesis. 2020 11 13; 41(11):1605-1615.
PMID: 32221533
Structure-guided engineering of the affinity and specificity of CARs against Tn-glycopeptides.
Structure-guided engineering of the affinity and specificity of CARs against Tn-glycopeptides. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 06 30; 117(26):15148-15159.
PMID: 32541028