Safer transplants, better outcomes

Researchers in Regensburg, Erlangen and Würzburg work together in the CRC Transregio 221, that focuses on unsolved challenges in the treatment of patients with leukemia or lymphoma.

CRC TRR 221's mission

Within the Collaborative Research Centre/Transregio (CRC/TRR) 221 innovative immune modulation strategies are investigated to separate graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) from GvL (graft-versus-leukemia) effects in order to enhance the safety and efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in the future.

RESEARCH

We investigate basic immunological mechanisms to understand and ultimately strengthen graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effects of donor immune cells after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in order to avoid leukemia relapse. We also study graft-versus-host immune reactivity to non-hematopoietic patient tissues (f.e. gut, skin), which we intend to prevent or at least mitigate by innovative immunomodulatory strategies.

Scientists

Students

Projects

Publications

FEATURED SCIENTIST

Dennis Harrer is principal investigator of project A07, which investigates long-lived, self-renewing, minimally differentiated T memory stem cells (T_SCM) as a platform technology for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. T_SCM are thought to overcome barriers to effective and safe salvage therapy with donor-derived CAR T cells after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Priv.-Doz. Dr. Dennis Harrer

Department of Internal Medicine III

University Hospital Regensburg

FEATURED PROJECTS

Principal investigators Petra Hoffmann, Michael Rehli, and Matthias Edinger of project B07 work on GvHD therapy with donor regulatory T cells (Treg) aiming to enhance the efficacy of this cell population for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of acute and chronic GvHD after allogeneic HSCT.

Project B07

GvHD therapy with in vitro expanded donor regulatory T cells.

Site: Regensburg
Principal Investigators: PD Dr. rer. nat. Petra Hoffmann, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Michael Rehli, Prof. Dr. med. Matthias Edinger

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Herr

Department of Internal Medicine III University Hospital Regensburg

The CRC TRR 221 researchers are seriously committed to bridge the gap between basic and translational immunology in the field of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy. They strive to achieve our fundamental mission: to improve the safety and efficacy of these important treatment modalities for patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies and severe stem cell disorders.

NEWS

Taking steps against leukemia: the 2026 Leukämielauf.

On October 4, 2026, the 28th Leukämielauf will once again bring thousands of people together in Regensburg to run and walk in support of leukemia patients and their families. Scientists and physicians from CRC TRR 221 will join participants from across the region, turning their commitment to leukemia research into a visible sign of solidarity.

4. October 2026

Gut Microbiome Metabolites Shape CAR-T Cell Therapy Success

Researchers from CRCT 221 and collaborating German CAR-T cell centers identify microbial metabolites as key regulators of treatment response, opening new opportunities for personalized cancer immunotherapy.

28. September 2026

Stem Cell Memory CAR T Cells Strike Cancer Without Triggering Friendly Fire

CRC TRR 221 scientist Luca Gattinoni, MD, – from the Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) -, together with James Kochenderfer, MD, – from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) -, co-led a new clinical study titled “Distinct in vivo dynamics of donor-derived stem cell memory CAR T cells post-allogeneic HSCT relapse.” Now published in Cell, the study demonstrates that engineering immune cells to mimic rare stem cell–like memory cells can effectively and safely treat blood cancer relapse following donor stem cell transplantation.

30. April 2026

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