The Research Unit Oncology / Tumour Immunology under the scientific direction of Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Cornelia Brunner and Prof. Dr. med. Thomas K. Hoffmann consists of three closely interlinked working groups.

The Molecular Immunology research group (headed by Prof Dr Brunner) is primarily concerned with signal transduction in the immune system, with a particular focus on Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK).

The Regulatory Immune Cells Unit (Head: Prof Dr Schuler) investigates the function of various regulatory immune cell populations. A particular focus here is on the role of regulatory B cells, which have an immunosuppressive effect through adenosine production.

The Tumour Antigens and Immunotherapy Unit (Head: Prof. Dr. Laban) deals with the analysis of tumour-specific antigens, their influence on the prognosis of head and neck tumour patients and their role in the immunotherapy of head and neck tumours.

The exosomesworking group (Head: Prof. Dr Theodoraki) is concerned with the modulation of the tumour microenvironment using exosomes and with the use of exosomes as liquid biomarkers.

Together, the four working groups in the Head and Neck Tumour Programme of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Ulm are working on the development and integration of novel strategies for the immunotherapy of head and neck tumours.