Working group Prof. Dr. Florian Kühnel and Prof. Dr. Dr. Stefan Kubicka


Welcome to the working group of Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Florian Kühnel and Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Kubicka. Here you will find an overview of the research group's topics, the current members of staff and our publications.

The use of viruses that preferentially replicate in tumor tissue is a promising new strategy for the treatment of solid tumors. The effect of "oncolytic virotherapy" is based on various mechanisms. On the one hand, tumor cells are directly destroyed by the viral infection and, on the other hand, the viral infection of the tumor tissue triggers immune reactions directed against the tumor. In our laboratory group, we work on the molecular design of viruses (mainly adenoviruses) so that tumor cells are attacked and destroyed as specifically as possible. We achieve this through targeted modification of virus-cell recognition mechanisms, among other things. In addition, we reprogram the replication machinery of the virus so that the virus only replicates in cells that exhibit genetic changes characteristic of tumors, such as p53 dysfunction or telomerase activation. We have already been able to develop several prototypes of oncolytic adenoviruses that effectively destroy tumors in preclinical trials through tumor-wide dissemination of the infection. In addition, we are trying to modify the virus design and therapy regimens to achieve significant therapeutic effects through anti-tumor immune responses. We are trying to deepen our mechanistic understanding of the underlying processes and translate this into a therapeutic concept that combines elements of virotherapy and immunotherapy in a clinically applicable approach.

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