Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of relapsed/refractory (r/r) aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). Despite its remarkable clinical success, approximately 60% of patients experience primary resistance or relapse following treatment, highlighting a critical unmet clinical need. Multiple mechanisms contribute to CAR-T cell therapy failure, including CAR-T cell dysfunction, antigen escape and the immunosuppressive lymphoma microenvironment (LME). Increasing evidence suggests that the LME plays a central role in limiting CAR-T cell persistence and antitumor activity, making it a promising target for therapeutic intervention.

Our research aims to elucidate how distinct cellular populations within the LME contribute to CAR-T cell resistance and to identify strategies to overcome these barriers. Using an integrated multi-omics approach on patient-derived samples, we seek to define prognostic cellular signatures associated with treatment response and survival. Ultimately, our goal is to identify rational combination therapies that enhance the durability and efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy, improving outcomes for patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma.

https://innere1.uk-koeln.de/forschung/arbeitsgruppen-labore/krebstherapie-und-molekulare-bildgebung/