A research team led by Prof. Dr. Helmut Salih has developed a modified immunocytokine that specifically activates immune cells against leukemia cells. The project at the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research at the DKFZ partner site in Tübingen was funded by the Wilhelm Sander Foundation with 528,000 euros over six years.

Acute myeloid leukemia is one of the most aggressive forms of blood cancer. It causes uncontrolled growth of immature blood cells in the bone marrow, suppresses normal blood formation and has a poor prognosis. Less than half of adult patients survive longer than five years. New immunotherapies aim to mobilize the body’s own defense system specifically against cancer cells.

The novel molecule combines a therapeutic antibody with the cytokine interleukin-15. This cytokine has been modified to remain inactive until the antibody binds to a leukemia cell. Only then does it become active and stimulate the immune system. This approach avoids the non-specific immune activation of classical immunocytokines, which leads to severe side effects and makes therapeutic doses impossible.

In laboratory experiments and animal models, the molecules showed a greatly increased activation of immune cells compared to conventional antibodies, a drastically reduced adverse immune response and prolonged survival without signs of toxicity.

The results offer potential not only for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, but also for other types of cancer. The project builds on the team’s previous developments, including Fc-optimized antibodies with enhanced immune activation, which have already been clinically tested.

A milestone has been reached with the preclinical validation. The findings form the basis for clinical studies to test safety and efficacy in patients. The funded project contributes to the development of targeted immunotherapies against blood cancer with few side effects.

Original publications:

1. Zekri et al., Science Translational Medicine 2024. DOI:10.1126/scitranslmed.adh1988

2. Klimovich et al., Frontiers in Immunology 2025.
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1561823

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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