Focus of Research Program

Novel lentiviral vector modalities for immune therapy after leukemia and stem cell transplantation (Funding: Rebirth Excellence Cluster, Unit 6.4). Lentiviral vectors have been extensively tested in gene replacement clinical trials and are highly effective and safe, but they have not been much explored for cancer immune therapy development. Through designed genetic expression of several complementary cytokines and immune-dominant antigens, new multicistronic integrase-defective lentiviral vectors (IDLVs) designs and packaging systems were developed. These IDLVs were used to reprogram monocytes into induced dendritic cells (iDCs), incorporating cancer antigens which can be customized for individualized cellular products to improve the immune reconstitution after leukemia or transplantation. The production of ID-LVs and generation of iDCs were validated under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) conditions and are in the translation to the clinics.

Humanized mouse models with adaptive immune responses to evaluate potency and efficacy of new biotechnological products against Epstein Barr virus (EBV) (Funding: German Center for Infections Research DZIF, TTU IICH). EBV Mice transplanted with human hematopoietic stem cells are used as proof-of-concept pharm-tox models to test genetically modified human cell products, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies against EBV.

Genetically modified cell therapies against human cytomegalovirus HCMV (Funding: Collaborative Research Center 738, SFB738, Unit A06). HCMV is one of the most problematic viral infections for immune compromised hosts. We established humanized mouse models to recreate HCMV infection in vivo. These models are being used to test induced dendritic cells and T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors targeted against HCMV antigens.