On the one hand, the working group deals with brain tumors such as glioblastoma and in particular with the search for suitable biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of these tumors. In cooperation with the Clinical Department of Neurosurgery, one of the aims is to systematically analyze the cerebrospinal fluid of brain tumor patients in order to enable faster and less invasive diagnosis in the future and to develop targeted therapy strategies.

On the other hand, the focus is on research into autoimmune neurological side effects of modern oncological therapies. These include immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and CAR T-cell therapy. These treatment strategies use the body's own immune system in various ways to generate an effective anti-tumor response. Various immunological side effects, including neurological symptoms, can occur.

Both clinical studies and basic research with blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests are being carried out. The aim is to better characterize the hitherto rare and insufficiently described syndromes clinically, to identify new biomarkers for risk stratification and diagnosis and to improve the treatment of neurological side effects during oncological therapy. Close cooperation with the treating oncology departments is of great importance here. Among other things, there is cooperation with the Skin Tumor Center and the Clinical Department of Haematology, Haemostaseology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation.

Contact person:

Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Skripuletz

Dr. med. Philipp Schwenkenbecher

Dr. med. Nora Möhn

Dr. med. Lea Grote-Levi

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