Our Group

Our research group works on different projects concerning the immune system in cancer. Our research focuses on head and neck tumors, but in connection with various collaborators we also explore further tumor entities and diseases. For an optimal professional exchange, we work in global networks with several research groups.

Basic Research & Clinical Studies

The basis of our work contributes to basic research. However, in the context of our cooperative projects we also work on clinical studies. To do both basic research and clinical studies we use highly innovative methods.

Prof. Dr.
Sven Brandau

Head of Experimental & Translational Research

What we are proud of

A special success are our international COST Actions:

Mye-InfoBank 2021 – 2025 – Converting molecular profiles of myeloid cells into biomarkers for inflammation and cancer.

Mye-EUNITER 2014 – 2018 – European Network of Investigators Triggering Exploratory Research on Myeloid Regulatory Cells.

Those networks contribute to long-lasting connections, friendships and breakthroughs even beyond the duration of the funding. Through joint projects and symposia we were able to reach a common consensus on markers, protocols and analytical methods. The Mye-EUNITER network has developed uniform analytical methods for the investigation of MDSC immune cells (myeloid derived suppressor cells). The Mye-InfoBank network will exploit publicly available OMICS data sets with the aim to convert these into practical immune-based disease biomarker protocols and applications.

Links

Mye-InfoBank

Mye-EUNITER

The most important approaches of our scientific work:

Patient Tissue & Blood,  Digital Pathology,  Biomarkers

We analyze tissue and blood of healthy donors and tumor patients.

Therefore we use modern techniques of digital pathology and examine important biomarkers.

Cell Reports Medicine 2024

Functional Immunology & Immunomonitoring

The control of immunological function is essential for the development of successful therapies.

We investigate the effect of therapeutics, the mechanisms of resistance to therapy and evaluate therapy response based on various biomarkers.

Murine Tumor Models, Imaging & Immunotherapy

The work with murine tumor models establishes the fundament for new and more effective therapeutic methods.

Especially for immunotherapy, numerous questions still need to be addressed before clinical implementation.

Research Themes and Projects

Our research comprises the following thematic and technological project areas.

Human neutrophils in malignant diseases

Neutrophil granulocytes are of central importance for the protection of our body against infections. For many years neutrophils have been regarded as terminally differentiated cells, which primarily phagocytose and neutralize infectious pathogens. More recently, the field is changing in several ways: First, neutrophils are not a homogenous population of cells but rather comprise distinct subsets. Second, these subsets are functionally specialized. Third, neutrophils exert surprising functional plasticity, which is regulated in a context- and tissue-specific manner.

In our projects we are analyzing the function of peripheral blood and tumor tissue-associated neutrophils from healthy donors and cancer patients. We have deciphered several mechanisms by which neutrophils, exert either anti-tumor or pro-tumor activity. Among those mechanisms is the induction of T-cell-mediated immunity in the context of cancer immunotherapy, the promotion of metastasis by modulation of cancer cell properties as well as a potential role in mediating the beneficial effects of extracorporeal photophoresis in the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease. It is our aim to better understand the increasing complexity of neutrophils in the tumor host in order to therapeutically modulate their biology.

Our research has triggered the release of several well-cited reviews, which will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the field.

Monitoring, functional analysis and clinical relevance of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC)

MDSC are a heterogeneous population of myeloid cells, which typically expand under pathological conditions. MDSC consist of myeloid cells of various differentiation and activation stages and comprise mononuclear (monocytic) and polymorphonuclear (granulocytic) subsets. The immunosuppressive activity on T cells and other types of immune cells is a hallmark of MDSC. Our lab is among the groups, who pioneered the field of human MDSC analysis, and we are currently involved in multiple international activities aimed at improving the analysis and potential therapeutic exploitation of these cells.

We are currently exploring the functional activities and clinical relevance of the three major human MDSC subsets in head and neck cancer and other solid tumors. We have also coordinated a pan-European study designed to compare MDSC phenotypes and frequencies in different malignant, infectious and inflammatory disease conditions. Reviews are available to provide more insight into the biology of these emerging myeloid regulatory cells as well as their relationship to neutrophils.

Pettinella F, Mariotti B, Lattanzi C, Bruderek K, Donini M, Costa S, Marini O, Iannoto G, Gasperini S, Caveggion E, Castellucci M, Calzetti F, Bianchetto-Aguilera F, Gardiman E, Giani M, Dusi S, Cantini M, Vassanelli A, Pavone D, Milella M, Pilotto S, Biondani P, Höing B, Schleupner MC, Hussain T, Hadaschik B, Kaspar C, Visco C, Tecchio C, Koenderman L, Bazzoni F, Tamassia N, Brandau S, Cassatella MA, Scapini P. (2024)

Surface CD52, CD84, and PTGER2 mark mature PMN-MDSCs from cancer patients and G-CSF-treated donors.

Cell Rep Med. 2024 Jan 17:101380

Analysis of neutrophils in the murine tumor host – in vivo veritas

In contrast to the patient-orientated work, which is by nature somewhat descriptive, in this project area we are exploring the in vivo functionality of neutrophils in the tumor host, for example by using high end microscopy, in vivo imaging, and neutrophil manipulating techniques. It is our aim to better understand the in vivo behavior of neutrophils within the tumor host and especially within the tumor microenvironment. To this end, and in collaboration with the Institute for Experimental Immunology, we have performed the “first in mice” studies on tumor-bearing “catchup” mice, which allowed the intravital imaging of genetically traced untouched neutrophils. A second aim in this research theme is to understand how neutrophils modulate primary tumor growth and metastatic spread of tumors. Here we are using syngeneic immunocompetent and xenograft models combined with easily accessible heterotopic or orthotopic localization of the tumors. First data suggest a surprisingly divergent functionality of tumor-associated neutrophils, which is time- and localization-dependent.

Tumor microenvironment, microbiome and biomarkers

Tumor tissue is not solely an accumulation of proliferating tumor cells, but rather a complex “neo-organ” additionally consisting of mesenchymal-fibroblastoid stromal cells, vasculature, various subsets of immune cells as well as structural matrix components. In this research theme we analyze several aspects of this complex multi-directional interaction. In addition, using well-defined patient cohorts, and in collaboration with the Institute for Pathology, we determine the clinical relevance of selected biomarkers deduced from these studies.

Specifically we explore the following areas:

  1. Cross-talk between tumor-associated mesenchymal stromal cells and immune cells
  2. Spatial and functional interaction of immunosuppressive neutrophils and MDSC with tumor-infiltrating T cells
  3. Impact of bacterial stimulation on the cross-talk of neutrophils and tumor cells
  4. Impact of the microbiome on the composition and cellular interaction within the tumor microenvironment as well as it´s effect on tumor progression.
  5. Identification of prognostic and predictive biomarkers in patients with head and neck cancer

Cancer Immunotherapy

Starting several decades ago researchers have been trying to identify means on how to activate and direct the immune system against cancer cells. This has led to several successful therapies, which use either non-antigen-specific adjuvant activities (such as BCG immunotherapy of bladder cancer) or antigen-specific approaches (for example the well-known MAGE antigens). Antibodies, which target tumor cells and/or activate immune cells also made significant contributions. Nevertheless, broad and durable responses have only been achieved in a rather small number of patients. More recently however, the advent of so-called checkpoint blocking antibodies is about to change the field.

Over the last 15 years we have used several immunotherapeutic approaches spanning from bacterial products to TLR agonists or therapeutic antibodies, which were applied to different types of cancer including bladder cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and head and neck cancer. Current projects exploit different antibodies, which either block immunosuppressive pathways in the tumor microenvironment or activate anti-tumor functions of immune cells. In collaboration with the Department of Medical Oncology, we explore  immune mechanisms during combinatorial checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Biomedical application of nanoparticles

Nanoparticles (NPs) are small, microscopic, 3-dimensional particles with a size that does not excedd 100nm. In collaboration with research groups in the Faculty of Chemistry, we are exploring the interaction of NPs with immune cells as well as their potential biomedical applications. NPs can be coupled to antibodies and we are currently testing, whether those constructs can be used to deliver therapeutic compounds to tumor cells or immune cells in order to enhance the anti-tumor activity of such interactions. A second area of major interest for us is the interaction of different classes of NPs with neutrophils as naturally phagocytosing target cells. Although many aspects of the field are in it´s infancy, we are optimistic to accelerate the therapeutic application of NPs by these approaches.

Mesenchymal stromal cells in immunity and oncology

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are fibroblastoid progenitor cells, which have a distinct multi-lineage differentiation potential. Next to their tissue-regenerative potential MSC have potent immunomodulatory activity, which has led to their further development as cellular therapeutics, primarily in diseases with overshooting immunity. We have explored the interaction of MSC with immune cells and tumor cells in order to better understand their role in immunoregulation and tumor progression. We have also studied the response of MSC to cytokines and TLR ligation as model systems for complex immunological interactions. Mechanistically, we are trying to decipher how MSC use either cell-cell contact, soluble factors or so-called extracellular vesicles (EVs) for their communication with immune and tumor cells. Finally, in collaboration with the Institute for Transfusion Medicine, we have explored means to fine tune the therapeutic activity of MSCs and their EVs by immunological priming.

Team

Head of Research Division

Prof. Dr.
Sven Brandau

Head of Experimental & Translational Research

Matthias Schmidt

Kirsten Bruderek

Lab Manager

Dr.
Tanja Hardt-Knechtli

Dr.
Tista Roy Chaudhuri

Dr.
Eva-Maria Hanschmann

Dr.
Benedict Antuamwine

Dr.
Marija Kovacevic Sarmiento

Hendrik Winkel

Francisca Hofmann Vega

Antonio Hrvat

Mitarbeiter Platzhalter Bild

Dr.
Yu Si

Xi Wang

Mitarbeiter Platzhalter Bild

Rachel Giesen

Mitarbeiter Platzhalter Bild

Dr.
Nina Mallmann

PD Dr. med. Anke Daser

PD Dr. med.
Benedikt Höing

Dr. med. Cornelius Kürten

Dr. med. Eric Deuß

Selected Publications

Pettinella F, Mariotti B, Lattanzi C, Bruderek K, Donini M, Costa S, Marini O, Iannoto G, Gasperini S, Caveggion E, Castellucci M, Calzetti F, Bianchetto-Aguilera F, Gardiman E, Giani M, Dusi S, Cantini M, Vassanelli A, Pavone D, Milella M, Pilotto S, Biondani P, Höing B, Schleupner MC, Hussain T, Hadaschik B, Kaspar C, Visco C, Tecchio C, Koenderman L, Bazzoni F, Tamassia N, Brandau S, Cassatella MA, Scapini P. (2024) Surface CD52, CD84, and PTGER2 mark mature PMN-MDSCs from cancer patients and G-CSF-treated donors. Cell Rep Med. 2024

Schirrmann R, Erkelenz M, Lamers K, Sritharan O, Nachev M, Sures B, Schlücker S, Brandau S.
Gold Nanorods Induce Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Autocrine Inflammatory Activation in Human Neutrophils (2022), ACS Nano
doi: 10.1021/acsnano.2c03586.

Cassetta, Luca; Bruderek, Kirsten; Skrzeczynska-Moncznik, Joanna; Osiecka, Oktawia; Hu, Xiaoying; Rundgren, Ida Marie; Lin, Ang; Santegoets, Kim; Horzum, Utku; Godinho-Santos, Ana; Zelinskyy, Gennadiy; Garcia-Tellez, Thalia; Bjelica, Sunčica; Taciak, Bartłomiej; Kittang, Astrid Olsnes; Höing, Benedikt; Lang, Stephan; Dixon, Michael; Müller, Verena; Utikal, Jochen Sven; Karakoç, Derya; Yilmaz, Kerim Bora; Górka, Emilia; Bodnar, Lubomir; Anastasiou, Olympia Evdoxia; Bourgeois, Christine; Badura, Robert; Kapinska-Mrowiecka, Monika; Gotic, Mirjana; Ter Laan, Mark; Kers-Rebel, Esther; Król, Magdalena; Santibañez, Juan Francisco; Müller-Trutwin, Michaela; Dittmer, Ulf; De Sousa, Ana Espada; Esendaǧli, Güneş; Adema, Gosse; Loré, Karin; Ersvær, Elisabeth; Umansky, Viktor; Pollard, Jeffrey W.; Cichy, Joanna; Brandau, Sven

Si, Yu; Merz, Simon F.; Jansen, Philipp; Wang, Baoxiao; Bruderek, Kirsten; Altenhoff, Petra; Mattheis, Stefan; Lang, Stephan; Gunzer, Matthias; Klode, Joachim; Squire, Anthony; Brandau, Sven

Lang, Stephan; Bruderek, Kirsten; Kaspar, Cordelia; Höing, Benedikt; Kanaan, Oliver; Dominas, Nina; Hussain, Timon; Droege, Freya; Eyth, Christian; Hadaschik, Boris; Brandau, Sven

Klein, Johanna C.; Moses, Katrin; Zelinskyy, Gennadiy; Sody, Simon; Buer, Jan; Lang, Stephan; Helfrich, Iris; Dittmer, Ulf; Kirschning, Carsten Jürgen; Brandau, Sven

Kansy, Benjamin A.; Concha-Benavente, Fernando; Srivastava, Raghvendra M.; Jie, Hyun-Bae; Shayan, Gulidanna; Lei, Yu; Moskovitz, Jessica; Moy, Jennifer; Li, Jing; Brandau, Sven; Lang, Stephan; Schmitt, Nicole C.; Freeman, Gordon J.; Gooding, William E.; Clump, David A.; Ferris, Robert L.

Kalkavan, Halime; Sharma, Piyush; Kasper, Stefan; Helfrich, Iris; Pandyra, Aleksandra A.; Gassa, Asmae; Virchow, Isabel; Flatz, Lukas; Brandenburg, Tim; Namineni, Sukumar; Heikenwalder, Mathias; Höchst, Bastian; Knolle, Percy A.; Wollmann, Guido; Von Laer, Dorothee; Drexler, Ingo; Rathbun, Jessica; Cannon, Paula M.; Scheu, Stefanie; Bauer, Jens; Chauhan, Jagat; Häussinger, Dieter; Willimsky, Gerald; Löhning, Max; Schadendorf, Dirk; Brandau, Sven; Schuler, Martin; Lang, Philipp A.; Lang, Karl S.

Bronte, Vincenzo; Brandau, Sven; Chen, Shu-Hsia; Colombo, Mario P; Frey, Alan B; Greten, Tim F; Mandruzzato, Susanna; Murray, Peter J; Ochoa, Augusto; Ostrand-Rosenberg, Suzanne; Rodriguez, Paulo C; Sica, Antonio; Umansky, Viktor; Vonderheide, Robert H; Gabrilovich, Dmitry I

Moses K, Brandau S.

Hasenberg, Anja; Hasenberg, Mike; Männ, Linda; Neumann, Franziska; Borkenstein, Lars; Stecher, Manuel; Kraus, Andreas; Engel, Daniel Robert; Klingberg, Anika; Seddigh, Pegah; Abdullah, Zeinab; Klebow, Sabrina; Engelmann, Swen; Reinhold, Annegret; Brandau, Sven; Seeling, Michaela; Waisman, Ari; Schraven, Burkhart; Göthert, Joachim Rudolf; Nimmerjahn, Falk; Gunzer, Matthias

Davey MS, Tamassia N, Rossato M, Bazzoni F, Calzetti F, Bruderek K, Sironi M, Zimmer L, Bottazzi B, Mantovani A, Brandau S, Moser B, Eberl M, Cassatella MA

Editors: Sven Brandau, Anca Dorhoi

Lab Equipment, Methods, Technology

Molecular Biology

Cell Culture/ Cell Biology

Analytics

Preclinical/ Clinical

Cooperations and Networks

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