The DFG recently approved a cooperative project of Prof. Dr. Holger Reichardt (Institute for Cellular and Molecular Immunology) and Dr. Fabian Gayer (Clinic of Urology) entitled "Role of the immune system in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of testicular germ cell cancer" and supports it with an amount of 415.000 Euro.

The new grant allows the two applicants to analyze the role of immune cells in testicular germ cell cancer, the most common malignant tumor of young men. In vitro coculture experiments with cell lines derived from seminomatous and non-seminomatous tumors in combination with primary immune cells from peripheral blood will allow to decipher the mechanisms taking place in the tumor microenvironment. These findings will be complemented by the in vivo analysis of testicular tumor tissue and blood samples collected from patients in the course of a clinical study. Within the next three years, Prof. Reichardt and Dr. Gayer hereby hope to obtain a better understanding of the immunological processes that occur in testicular tumorigenesis, possible resulting in improved treatment options in the future.

Dr. Gayer initiated his scientific career in 2020 during a two-year full sabbatical as a clinician scientist in the group of Prof. Reichardt supported by research stipends of the DFG and EKFS. The new grant now allows the interdisciplinary team to further continue their translational research efforts.