Forscherdatenbank
Prof. Dr. Stephan Lang
University Duisburg-Essen
45147 Essen
Programm
Cancer Immunotherapy (CI)
Übersicht
Tumor-Host Interaction in Head and Neck Cancer
In the Department of Otorhinolaryngology the research focus is on the immunobiology of head and neck cancers. Clinical and translational studies are using a pre-operative “window of opportunity” to assess the immunological effects of biological and immunomodulatory therapies (together with the Department of Medical Oncology, Martin Schuler, Stefan Kasper). Immunological biomarker studies are conducted to understand the biology of the diverse subtypes of head and neck cancer and to identify novel prognostic factors for current state of the art cancer therapy (together with the Department of Radiotherapy, Martin Stuschke).
Our experimental and translational research unit has a focus on the role and function of myeloid cells, neutrophils and mesenchymal stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment. Mouse models and reverse translational approaches are used to determine the cross-talk of immune cells, stromal cells and tumor cells during tumor progression. Translational studies in patients will determine the interplay of this cross-talk and novel combination cancer therapies. The experimental research division of the department is also involved in currently ongoing international activities to improve and standardize the immunomonitoring of MDSC and other myeloid cells in human oncology.
DKTK Junior Group Leader for Cancer Systems Biology
Single-cell approaches have not only revealed a wide variety of cell states, characterized by cells exhibiting striking differences in their transcriptional profile, but have also illuminated the mechanisms underlying state transitions in health and disease. Cellular plasticity and adaptive state changes have recently emerged as a basis for therapeutic resistance in cancer, and a better understanding of how cell state transitions are regulated is critical to develop therapeutic approaches that can overcome therapy resistance.
Our research focuses on understanding the mechanisms driving non-genetic cellular heterogeneity and therapy resistance in malignancy. Using novel single-cell sequencing approaches, we seek to develop new experimental and computational strategies to define altered cell states in both, cancer and immune cells. Our aim is to leverage a data driven strategy combined with single cell genomics and systems biology to address the challenges posed by heterogeneity in cancer, and to develop new strategies to overcome it, with the aim of translating laboratory-based findings into the clinic.