Nobody is an island - tumor cells also communicate with their environment and manipulate neighbouring cells to support their growth and dissemination. At the TCRI, we utillize three-dimensional models with different cell types in order to better understand this crosstalk and to develop novel, efficient therapeutics. A main focus is also the development of novel immunotherapeutics which facilitate immune surveillance.
A therapy that specifically kills the respective tumor cells will diminish detrimental side-effects. In order to know, which malignant changes are specific for a person's tumor, we use novel techniques to establish mutation profiles, which will be the basis for personalized therapies.