Tumor antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune response as tools for diagnostic and therapy of cancer patients

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Hans-Georg Rammensee
• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: from 2008 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 67867893

Tumor-associated antigens are frequently recognized by specific B- and T-lymphocytes. Both arms of this anti-tumoral immune response can provide essential tools for diagnostics and treatment of cancer. The characterisation of the humoral response in patients leads to antigen identification and supports the definition of CD4+ and CD8+T cell-restricted epitopes for immunotherapy. Antibodies may also be used for early diagnosis and patient follow-up. The main objectives of this collaborative project are to characterize the anti-cancer immune response in order to identify potential tools for diagnostics and therapeutics. This project is thus divided into two different, but interactive aspects, the study of the serological response against tumor-associated antigens in cancer patients and the description of cellular T-cell reactivity against newly described targets of humoral responses. It will focus on several selected antigens and cancer patient groups under therapy.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Russia
• Participating Person: Dmitry Kuprash, Ph.D.