Preclinical multimodal immune-oncology for lung cancer treatment

Our research focuses on preclinical multimodality immuno-oncology approaches to fuel rapid translation into clinical trials for patient-tailored lung cancer treatment. Worldwide, lung cancer accounts for over 1 million deaths per year – and, consequently, is the most common cause of cancer-related death. Despite advances in cytotoxic drug development, radiotherapy, and patient management, the cure rate for advanced lung cancer remains dismal. In order to achieve most efficient bench-to-bedside personalized treatment development, we employ a variety of in vitro and in vivo assays to assess immune functions of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in murine lung cancers in response to targeted anti-cancer drugs, immunomodulatory agents, and radiation. Our area of expertise offers a unique spectrum of methodology in a key area of adaptive immunity that has received tremendous clinical attention over the last years. Future projects of the lab include collaboration with our partners in the clinical departments to actively translate our discoveries into clinical application.