BCRT
Functional Immuno-Oncology
Il-Kang Na
The research team headed by Prof. Dr Il-Kang Na is working on optimizing the functionality of immune cells for cancer therapy. The focus is to decipher the individualized immune-onco-dynamics and exploring the susceptibility of tumor cells to immune cells. The main goal is to perform better evidence-based treatment stratification and to develop adapted therapy strategies.
We pursue the determination of individual interaction patterns of tumor cells and immune cells. We conduct in vitro studies on patient material and use a variety of innovative functional immunoassay methods. The aim is to make tumor cells more susceptible to immune cells and to equip the patient's own immune cells with the necessary factors for an optimal anti-tumor response. As long-term response and therapy toxicity are highly relevant for patients in addition to therapy efficacy, we are also investigating the dysfunction and reconstitution of the immune system after cancer therapies.
We want to use this knowledge to make existing and future therapies more effective and safer for individual patients.
Research areas
- Members of the TNF family in T-cell therapy
- Dynamics of immune cells and their functionality
- Immune-cancer cell mechanisms of action
- Immune reconstitution after cancer therapy
Find out more on the MDC Berlin's Website.