Cancer research on the rise: 12,530 euros for groundbreaking project!

Cancer research on the rise: 12,530 euros for groundbreaking project!

On August 8, 2025, Uwe Demmler handed over a donation check for 12,530 euros to Dr. Hendrik Albrecht and Nadine Shalala at the MHB University Hospital Ruppin Brandenburg (ukrb) in Neuruppin. This significant donation comes from KDH Energie – Liefertechnik GmbH from Frankfurt (Oder) and marks the company's second support for cancer research. Uwe Demmler has a personal connection to this topic as his wife was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago.

The search for a suitable specialist took the couple from east to north-west Brandenburg, where they met Dr. Albrecht consulted. The senior physician at the clinic for general, visceral, thoracic and vascular surgery at ukrb successfully operated on the patient and paved the way to recovery. Around 200 guests contributed to the collection of donations on the occasion of the company's 35th anniversary and provided support in lieu of gifts.

Research on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes

The donation will be used specifically for the research project “Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) in Colon Cancer”. TILs are lymphocytes that occur in tumor tissue and play a central role in the immune response against cancer. These cells are being tested as potential therapeutic options in immuno-oncology, particularly in cellular cancer immunotherapy. TILs settle, as in DocCheck Flexikon described, mainly composed of T cells and B cells and can be viewed as a sign of an immune reaction within tumors. Their presence is often associated with better clinical outcomes.

Dr. Albrecht reported on progress in the differentiation of tumor zones to obtain targeted defense cells. The connection to TILs is significant, as these cells have the ability to reject and destroy cancer cells. They can be better studied using modern technologies and insights from the field of systems biology. Advances in genealogy and tumor microenvironment (TME) analysis are creating new opportunities to identify and evaluate TILs and other immune cells, as described in PMC is explained.

Future prospects of immunotherapy

Research on TILs and their use in therapy is promising. Technological advances enable detailed investigation of the spatial distribution and functional attributes of these cells within the TME. TILs could be optimized as prognostic and therapeutic targets in the future. Current studies have shown that a high number of these cells in the tumor correlates with a more successful course of cancer.

Nadine Shalala, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Fundraising at the MHB, encourages the continuation of such supportive initiatives. Donations instead of gifts on special occasions could play an important role in financing innovative research projects in the future.