Experimental Neurosurgery I —
Research Group Prof Dr med Marian Neidert
Our research projects focus on the immunology of brain tumours. The goal is to find immune activating structures (antigens) in brain tumours that are recognised by T cells, a specialised cell type of the immune system. The objective is to use the appropriate antigens to develop immunological therapies for brain tumour patients in the future. The successful implementation of these projects relies on close cooperation between the Department of Neurosurgery and the Medical Research Centre. Patient samples from the neurosurgical operating theatre of the Kantonsspital St. Gallen are examined and evaluated using state-of-the-art molecular biological methods.
Current research activities
In the research database of HOCH Health Ostschweiz you will find an insight into the research activities of Prof Dr Marian Neidert. Below you will find a selection of his current projects:
Loco-Regional Immunotherapy of Glioblastoma Using Ex Vivo Expanded Antigen-Specific T cells
The objective of this project is to provide a scientific foundation for the use of T-cell therapy in patients with glioblastoma. This process involves the developing methodologies for selecting of relevant immunological target structures (antigens) and the subsequent purification of antigen-specific T cells, followed by their expansion in vitro. The overarching objective of this research is toengineer a local T-cell–based therapy that are administered into the tumour cavity via a catheter.
Funding:
Padella Stiftung (Liechtenstein)
Unus Pro Multis, Martin Hilti Stiftung (Liechtenstein)
Forschungsförderung Kantonsspital St. Gallen
Blumenau-Léonie Hartmann-Stiftung
In Vitro Effects of Tumor-Treating Fields on the Immune Landscape of Glioblastoma
The treatment of brain tumour patients with alternating electric fields (known as tumour therapy fields, TTF) has been approved in Switzerland. This non-invasive therapy is offered by Novocure under the name ‘Optune’. In addition to other therapeutic effects, preliminary data indicate that TTF treatments cause immunogenic cell death in tumour cells, with the potential to stimulate an immune response against tumours. This collaborative project with Novocure is investigating the influence of TTF on the recognition of tumours by tumour-infiltrating immune cells.
Research collaboration:
Novocure und Kantonsspital St. Gallen
Antigen atlas for T-cell therapies against brain tumours
Glioblastomas are among the most common and aggressive primary brain tumours. As they spread diffusely into the brain tissue, they cannot be completely removed by surgery. Even well-established immunotherapies are only limitedly effective. As a result, the prognosis for affected patients remains poor, and there is an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches.
In our research project, we are investigating which tumour antigens are particularly good at being targeted by T cells. In addition, we examine whether immune cells derived from the periphery are better suited for developing T-cell therapies than cells obtained directly from the tumour. An overarching goal of the project is to create an “antigen atlas” for gliomas, which will serve as a valuable resource for the development of future immunotherapies.
Funding: Swiss National Science Foundation
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