Day of Immunology: A day, to shed light on the interface of immune disorders & cancer
(Vienna, 29.4.2022) On today’s International Day of Immunology, we would like to raise awareness for the important research on congenital immune disorders. They are often associated with an increased susceptibility to the development of cancer and are a special focus at St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute (St. Anna CCRI).
Dysregulation of the immune system can lead to an increased vulnerability to infections, autoimmune manifestations and cancer. While research on immunodeficiencies has so far primarily focused on the susceptibility to pathogens, it has been largely neglected that a dysregulated immune system can also lead to malignancies.
Therefore, the group of Prof. Kaan Boztug, MD, scientific director at St. Anna CCRI, studies patients suffering from inherited defects of the immune system. The researchers strive to gain a deeper understanding of the molecular architecture of the immune system and its linkage with malignancy. Their ultimate goal is to improve the wellbeing of patients by developing targeted therapies and personalized medicine approaches.