Vogel Foundation supports research into CAR-T cell therapy in Würzburg
07/14/2026For his research into the optimisation of CAR-T cell therapies, Dr Lukas Scheller, a medical scientist from the Chair of Cellular Immunotherapy, is to receive a grant of 70,000 EUR from the Vogel Foundation Dr Eckernkamp.
CAR-T cell therapy has revolutionised the treatment of blood cancer and other diseases: the body’s own T cells are modified in the laboratory so that they can specifically recognise and attack cancer cells. However, concomitant medication can alter the therapy’s effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects. In this project, funded by the Vogel Foundation with 70,000 euros, Dr Lukas Scheller will analyse these relationships.
Many patients continue to take their usual medication, prescribed by their GP, alongside CAR-T cell therapy. Lukas Scheller is investigating whether these medicines influence the efficacy and safety of CAR-T cell therapy. “We are delighted to receive funding from the Vogel Foundation. It enables us to understand the influence of certain medicines on the success of the therapy and subsequently to develop new solutions. This includes, for example, adjusting patients’ medication before the start of therapy or developing specific concomitant treatments,” explains the scientist.
However, it is not only the success of the therapy that is crucial; patient safety is also a key focus. Lukas Scheller is therefore investigating whether potential side effects of CAR-T cell therapy can be identified even before treatment begins. To this end, he analyses blood samples for specific substances produced by the body – known as biomarkers – which may indicate an increased risk. At the same time, he is investigating how immune cells and blood vessel cells communicate with one another and what influence these processes have on CAR-T cell therapy.
Established CAR-T cell therapy is set to become even more effective and safer
The new project is being carried out in the laboratories of the Chair of Cellular Immunotherapy at Würzburg University Hospital, headed by Professor Michael Hudecek. “By combining all the results, we could gain an even better understanding of the causes of therapeutic effects and side effects, detect and manage them at an early stage, and thus make CAR-T cell therapy even more effective and safer,” summarises the CAR-T cell expert.
Dr Gunther Schunk, Chairman of the Vogel Foundation, emphasised at the cheque presentation ceremony at the University Hospital: “CAR-T cell therapy is one of the most promising innovations in modern cancer medicine. We are delighted that our funding will help ensure that these effective research approaches can be expanded, scientifically validated and further developed in the long term for the benefit of patients.”
About the Chair of Cellular Immunotherapy
Dr Lukas Scheller, a medical scientist, conducts research at the Chair of Cellular Immunotherapy headed by Prof. Dr Michael Hudecek at the Second Department of Internal Medicine (Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II) of Würzburg University Hospital, which is led by Professor Hermann Einsele. The Chair works closely with the National Centre for Tumour Diseases (NCT) WERA to bring new CAR-T cell therapies into clinical use as quickly as possible.
