New professor of tumor immunology: Fight against pancreatic cancer!

New professor of tumor immunology: Fight against pancreatic cancer!

Cancer research is taking new and exciting turns: From now on, Prof. Dr. Ivonne Regel works at the Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU). Since July 1, 2025, she has taken over the professorship for tumor immunology and is bringing a breath of fresh air to research on types of cancer, especially pancreatic cancer. Her academic journey began at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena and took her to MLU via various stations, including the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich. In her new position, she pursues a clearly defined goal: researching the immune defense against tumors and developing innovative early detection methods for cancer.

Regel's research focuses on the intrigue of pancreatic cancer, one of the most aggressive cancers that is extremely challenging to treat due to the complex interactions between tumor cells and the immune system. The role of epigenetics – i.e. how the packaging of the genome influences gene activity – is becoming increasingly important. “The tumor cells can often camouflage themselves and suppress the immune response, which can significantly weaken the body’s defense mechanisms,” explains Regel. A central point of her research approach is the epigenetic changes that can lead to cancer-causing reprogramming of the genetic material without causing classic mutations.

A look into the mechanisms

What makes pancreatic cancer so insidious? In a recent study, scientists at the University Medical Center Göttingen have discovered new interactions between these cancer cells and the immune system. They revealed that tumors often consist of a mix of subtypes that respond differently to treatments. The inflammatory signaling protein TNF-α has been identified as a key factor. It influences crucial immune defense processes that could inhibit tumor development. “The combined therapy of immunotherapy and chemotherapy could help to improve the immune system and increase survival rates,” say the researchers.

Another project to combat pancreatic cancer is being pushed forward at the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg. Research is being carried out here on the development of tumor-specific vaccine viruses in order to break through resistance to existing therapies. This innovative approach could increase safety and protect healthy body cells without damaging them. The project is currently being funded by the Wilhelm Sander Foundation with around 175,000 euros.

Focus on early diagnosis and teaching

Regel intends to use epigenetic fingerprints of tumor cells as markers for early detection. “Current methods are not sensitive enough, but we could make significant progress here,” Rule is convinced. In addition to her research, teaching is also important to the professor. Interactive formats such as QR code-based quizzes and live voting are on her timetable to actively involve students in the learning process.

With her extensive experience and network in oncology research, supported by Prof. Dr. Heike Kielstein, the dean of the MLU, generally shows promising perspectives for future cancer research and diagnostics. In this dynamic and important industry, it is of central importance to regularly develop new approaches in order to be able to treat patients in the best possible way. It remains exciting to see what the next steps in research into the complex mechanisms of pancreatic cancer will bring.

Continued efforts in both basic research and clinical practice could soon mean that patients with pancreatic cancer can benefit from new and more effective therapeutic approaches.

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