Immuno-oncology
Immunotherapy: fighting cancer with the body's own defenses
Our own immune system can basically recognize and destroy tumour cells. In the case of cancer, however, this ability of the immune system is often impaired, allowing tumor cells to spread unhindered. Immunotherapies can on the one hand restore the immune system's ability to function and on the other hand strengthen it and specifically target tumor cells. We use this principle in the treatment of cancer. At best, cancer manifestations can disappear completely or their growth can be limited. Immunotherapy has been successful in a variety of different tumours (e.g. breast cancer, bladder cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, head and neck tumours, kidney tumours) and has revolutionized cancer therapy. Even patients who were considered incurably ill just a few years ago can now be cured. Although the effectiveness of the therapies has been well researched, the safety of their use still needs to be further improved. This is the goal of the immuno-oncology working group at the Comprehensive Cancer Center Hannover (ICOG CCC-H).
The strong activation of the immune system by immunotherapies can also trigger a strong immune reaction against the body's own healthy cells. This immune reaction can cause very strong and pronounced side effects. Affected patients develop inflammations triggered by the body's own immune system, for example in the nervous system, thyroid gland, liver, lungs and skin. In rare cases, these inflammations can be life-threatening or cause permanent damage.
If these side effects occur, we offer a central advice center at the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) of the MHH. Physicians who use immunotherapy and patients receiving immunotherapy can contact the center for help. The first step is to contact them by telephone. If necessary, patients can be seen and treated on an outpatient or inpatient basis.
Contact
Immuno-oncology working group |
In close cooperation with:
- Prof. J.H. Bräsen, Pathology (AG)
- Dr. F. Länger, Pathology
- Prof. Dr. C. Könecke, Experimental Immunology
- Dr. med. H. Eggers, Hematology/Oncology
- Dr. Dr. S. Scharm, Radiology
- PD Dr. T. Wirth, Gastroenterology
- Dr. B. Bollmann, Pneumology
- PD Dr. H. Golpon, Pneumology
- Prof. Dr. H. Christiansen, Radiotherapy and Special Oncology
- Prof. Dr. Dr. D. Steinmann, Radiotherapy and Special Oncology
- Dr. Elyan, Radiotherapy and Special Oncology
- PhD students/Master's students (supervised by Ivanyi, Möhn, Skripuletz): Greta Lück, Emelie Narten, Johanna Aurich, Laura Duzzi, Katharina Gaponenko
Publications
Immuno-oncology working group (ICOG)
Ivanyi P, Park-Simon T, Christiansen H, Gutzmer R, Vogel A, Heuser M, Golpon, H, Hillemanns P, Haier J. Protective measures for patients with advanced cancer during the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic: Quo vadis? Clin Exp Metastasis. 2021 Jun;38(3):257-261.doi: 10.1007/s10585-021-10083-1. Epub 2021 Mar 23.
Möhn N, Sühs KW, Angela Y, Stangel M, Ivanyi P, Beutel G, Gutzmer R, Skripuletz T, Grimmelmann I. Checkpoint inhibitor-induced autoimmune central nervous system disorder in patients with metastatic melanoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Clin Exp Neuroimmunol. 2021;12:127-134.
Erlmeier F , Steffens S, Stöhr S, Herrmann E, Polifka I, Agaimy A, Trojan L, Ströbel L,Becker F, Wülfing C, Barth C, Stöckle M,Staehler M, Stief M, Haferkamp A, Hohenfellner M, Macher-Göppinger S, Wullich C, Noldus J, Brenner W, Roos FC, Walter B, Otto W, Burger M, Schrader AJ, Hartmann A, Ivanyi P. (German Network Of Kidney Cancer). Characterization of PD-1 and PD-L1 Expression in Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results of a Large Multicenter Study. Clin Genitourin Cancer. 2021 Feb;19(1):53-59.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.clgc.2020.07.002. Epub 2020 Jul 9.
Ivanyi P, Grüllich C, Kroeger N, Gauler T, Johannsen M, Bedke J, Grünwald V, Interdisciplinary working group on renal tumors (IAG-N) of the German Cancer Society (DKG). Systemic treatment of advanced/metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the context of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: recommendations from the interdisciplinary working group for renal tumors (IAG-N). J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2020 Nov;146(11):3075-3078. doi: 10.1007/s00432-020-03341-4. Epub 2020 Aug 20.
Möhn N, Mahjoub S, Gutzmer R, Satzger I, Beutel G, Ivanyi P, Golpon H, Wattjes MP, Stangel M, Skripuletz T. Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis of Neurological Adverse Events during Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy. J Oncol. 2020;2020:8865054.
Möhn N, Sühs KW, Gingele S, Angela Y, Stangel M, Gutzmer R, Satzger I, Skripuletz T. Acute progressive neuropathy-myositis-myasthenia-like syndrome associated with immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy in patients with metastatic melanoma. Melanoma Res. 2019;29(4):435-440.
Satzger I, Ivanyi P , Länger F, Kreipe HH, Schaper-Gerhardt K, Beutel G, Cornberg M, Gutzmer R. Treatment-related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis secondary to checkpoint inhibition with nivolumab plus ipilimumab. Eur J Cancer . 2018 Apr;93:150-153. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2018.01.063. Epub 2018 Feb 19.
Reviews
Möhn N, Skripuletz T. Immune checkpoint inhibition: management of neurological side effects. Medical Journal BIO & NEO PHARMAZEUTIKA. 2021;4:12-15.
Möhn N, Beutel G, Gutzmer R, Ivanyi P, Satzger I, Skripuletz T. Neurological Immune Related Adverse Events Associated with Nivolumab, Ipilimumab, and Pembrolizumab Therapy-Review of the Literature and Future Outlook. J Clin Med. 2019;8(11):1777.
Abstracts
Möhn N, Sühs KW, Gingele S, Angela Y, Stangel M, Gutzmer R, Satzger I, Skripuletz T. Overlap syndrome from acute neuropathy, myositis and myasthenia gravis as a consequence of therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, DGN 2019.
Möhn N, Mahjoub S, GrimmlemannI, Ivanyi P, Beutel G, Steffens S, Wirth T, Mederacke I, Bollmann B, Golpon H, Höglinger G, Stangel M, Gutzmer R, Skripuletz T. Autoimmune neurological side effects under checkpoint inhibitor therapy: a prospective cohort study, DGN 2021.
