Top researcher comes to Magdeburg: Revolutionary cancer treatment in sight!

Top researcher comes to Magdeburg: Revolutionary cancer treatment in sight!

What's happening in the world of cancer research? An exciting chapter will open on November 1, 2025, when Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Matthias Leisegang takes up his new professorship for translational immunotherapy at the University Clinic for Hematology, Oncology and Cell Therapy at the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg. He previously worked at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, where he has already made a name for himself in cancer immunotherapy. His research focuses on training the body's immune system to effectively fight cancer cells using tailored T-cell therapies tailored to individual tumor changes. The aim is to design the treatment in such a way that healthy cells are spared and the chances of recovery are increased.

The use of neoantigens, which arise from genetic changes in tumors and occur exclusively on cancer cells, plays a key role. An innovative approach that is also being promoted by companies such as Medigene AG, an immuno-oncology company. Its CEO, Prof. Dolores Schendel, recently explained at the Neoantigen Based Therapies Summit that special T cell-based immunotherapies aim to specifically attack cancer cells and thereby minimize undesirable side effects. These therapies could reach a large number of cancer patients worldwide, a remarkable development given the global healthcare challenges..

The background and opportunities

The visionary methods of cancer immunotherapy that Prof. Leisegang and his colleagues are pursuing are the result of years of research and international collaboration. His previous positions include the Max Delbrück Center and the David and Etta Jonas Center for Cellular Therapy in Chicago. He has already celebrated many successes there, including the development of T cell receptors against specific cancer neoantigens. These starting points, such as the BCR-ABL fusion protein in leukemia, open up exciting possibilities for therapeutic advances.

The importance of neoantigens is undisputed. According to Medigene, a distinction is made between spontaneous mutations, common mutations and transcripts from so-called “dark matter”. Most recently, Medigene, in collaboration with the University of Montreal, identified ten new immunogenic neoantigens that could be important in various types of cancer. The company plans to use an automated high-throughput screening platform to identify specific TCRs against these neoantigens. A promising step in the further development of cancer treatment!

Cancer diseases in focus

The challenges facing cancer patients are great and developments in immunotherapy are more important than ever. In particular, the focus on individual treatment options makes it possible to adapt the therapy to the respective needs of the patient. Prof. Leisegang has received numerous awards for his innovative approaches, including the Curt Meyer Memorial Prize from the Berlin Cancer Society. He not only brings specialist knowledge, but also a touch of international experience to Magdeburg, which fuels hope for progress in the treatment of cancer.

Why is all of this so important? Because every new therapy, every advance, can not only extend the lives of patients, but also significantly improve the quality of life. The developments in cancer research are more than just numbers - they are about people, about hope and about a future that is within reach. This is news that affects us all!