University of Freiburg researchers develop new cancer immunotherapy approaches

Researchers at the University of Freiburg have developed two distinct methods to improve the precision and tolerability of cancer immunotherapies.

In a study published in Nature Communications, a team led by Dr. Semjon Willier identified a new surface marker on T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells. This approach allows genetically modified immune cells to target aggressive leukemia cells while sparing healthy immune cells, addressing a major challenge in treating T-ALL where cancer cells closely resemble healthy T-cells.

Separately, researchers at the University Medical Center Freiburg have tested a treatment for severe inflammation caused by immunotherapy. For patients who do not respond to cortisone, the team utilized extracorporeal photopheresis. This process involves removing white blood cells, treating them with a light-sensitive agent and UV-A light, and returning them to the body to calm the overactive immune response without suppressing the entire immune system. This procedure has been available for use in Europe since October.