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Translational Tumor Immunology

Research Focus

Our main research is focused on:

  • Tumor immunology
  •  Cancer immunotherapy
  •  Oncolytic influenza A virus
  •  Inflammatory bowel diseases

In particular we are investigating the role of therapy-induced (i.e.chemotherapy, radiotherapy) biological changes in the tumor-immune microenvironment (TIME) of human solid malignancies, such as colorectal cancer (CRC) or colorectal liver metastases (CLM), in a human-translational setting. The research aims are to examine the induction and consequences of a therapy-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, immunogenic cell death (ICD), type I and type II interferon (IFN) induction on tumor-infiltrating immune cells with clinical outcome. Our goal is to develop novel concepts of cancer immunotherapy, using a rational combined treatment approach.

Having an expertise in genetic engineering of influenza A virus, we developed the first oncolytic influenza A virus. Currently our aim is to further optimize its viral vectors and production to facilitate a routine clinical application.

Team

Michael Bergmann | © MedUni Wien/feelimage

a.o. Univ.Prof. Dr. Michael Bergmann

Principial Investigator/Clinician

michael.bergmann@meduniwien.ac.at

Johannes Längle | © MedUni Wien/feelimage

OA Johannes Längle MD, PhD

Victoria Stary | © MedUni Wien/feelimage

Victoria STARY, MD

Brigitte Wolf | © MedUni Wien/feelimage

Brigitte Wolf, PhD

postdoctoral fellow

brigitte.wolf@meduniwien.ac.at

Markus Fabits | © MedUni Wien/feelimage

Markus Fabits, PhD

postdoctoral fellow

markus.fabits@meduniwien.ac.at

Julijan Kabiljo | © MedUni Wien/feelimage

Julijan Kabiljo, MD

Daphni Ammon | © MedUni Wien/feelimage

Daphni Ammon, MD

predoctoral fellow

daphni.ammon@meduniwien.ac.at

Rebecca Zirnbauer | © MedUni Wien/feelimage

Rebecca Zirnbauer, MD

Lukas Watzke MD

predoctoral fellow

lukas.watzke@meduniwien.ac.at

Carolina Klicka | © MedUni Wien/feelimage

Carolina Klicka

Technical Assistant

carolina.klicka@meduniwien.ac.at

Péter Hofner, PhD – Medical Student

Noam Hartman – Medical Student

Jakob Homola, BSc – Master Student

Sophie Prodinger, BSc – Master Student

Anna Theophil, MSc –Technical Asistent/Master Student

Annalena Renner – Technical Asistent/Master Student

 

Publications

Patient-derived autologous tumor immune effusion co-cultures for ex vivo functional testing of radiotherapy–immunotherapy combinations. Zirnbauer R, Ammon D, Mosleh B, Speiser N, Theophil A, Fabits M, Hoda MAR, Bergmann M*, Laengle J. PATEC: J Experimental and Clinical Cancer Res. 2026 

FASN targeting by G28UCM impairs mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis and reveals a FASN-SDHB synthetic interaction. Wilfinger-Lutz N, Kuehrer KM, Bueno MJ, Schwaiger-Haber M, Ann WW, Krejci K, Mekis R, Gobbo Oliveira Erünlü N, Miller A, Junza A, Reipert S, Bergmann M, Yanes O, Haschemi A, Koellensperger G, Quintela-Fandino M, Nowikovsky K. Pharmacol Res. 2026 Feb;224:108087. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2026.10808

Differential immune infiltrates in the three histomorphologic Wilms Tumor regions identify prognostic macrophages in blastema and mesenchyme. Watzke L, Palmisani F, Plaschka M, Halbritter F, Radic-Sarikas B, Rezkalla K, Kager L, Kovar H, Kain R, Metzelder M, Sorger H, Amann G, Bergmann M. Molecular Therapy Oncology. 2026 Feb 25;34(1):201162. doi: 10.1016/j.omton.2026.201162.

Spontaneous transanal evisceration of the small bowel through perforation of the sigmoid colon: a case report and new surgical approach Hargitai L, Schwarz C, Klaiber U, Bergmann M, Harpain F. Int J Surg Case Rep 2026 Feb 23;138(3):952-956.doi: 10.1097/RC9.0000000000000281.

Spatial organization of stromal subtypes stratifies colorectal cancer patients and predicts clinical outcomes. Frank M, Ghirardello G, Howie JM, Braun N, Zirnbauer R, Stecher C, Gruener S, Regele H, Barozzi I, Bergmann M, Laengle J, Herndler-Brandstetter D.  Cancer Letters, 2026 Feb 28:639:218228. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2025.218228.

Dual Immune Checkpoint Inhibition Plus Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Rectal Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.  Laengle J, Kuehrer I, Kulu A, Kabiljo J, Ammon D, Zirnbauer R, Stift A, Herbst F, Dauser B, Monschein M, Razek P, Haegele S, Biebl M, Geinitz H, Hulla W, Kalinina P, Müllauer L, Widder J, Bittermann C, Pils D, Tamandl D, Laengle F, Schmid R, Bergmann M. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Aug 1;8(8):e2527769. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.27769.                 

Differential prognostic roles and clinical implications of mitochondrial and genomic tRNA-derived fragments in colorectal liver metastases. Zirnbauer R, Ammon D, Renner A, Hartman N, Kalinina P, Starlinger P, Stremitzer S, Schwarz C, Kaczirek K, Bergmann M, Pils D, Laengle.  J Transl Med. 2025 Jul 12;23(1):786. doi: 10.1186/s12967-025-06850-3

Incidence and Immunopathology of Myositis in Rectal Cancer Patients Treated With Neoadjuvant Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Chemoradiotherapy: Findings From the CHINOREC Trial. Zirnbauer R, Hametner S, Bergler-Klein J, Kuehrer I, Kulu A, Ammon D, Kabiljo J, Stift A, Schmid R, Müllauer L, Bittermann C, Laengle F, Machold K, Blüml S, Bergmann M*, Laengle J. MedComm. 2025 Jul 7;6(7):e70275. doi: 10.1002/mco2.70275. *) corresp.

Proteomic Analysis of FFPE Tissue Samples Identifies Potential Molecular Mechanisms Mediating Resistance to Radiotherapy in Rectal Cancer. Zott T, Wolf M, Plessl-Walder G, Regele H, Bergmann M, Meier-Menches SM, Gerner C, Silberhumer GR, Bileck A. J Proteome Res. 2025 Aug 1;24(8):3990-4001. doi: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5c00114. 

Colorectal cancer peritoneal metastasis is promoted by tissue-specific fibroblasts that can arise in response to various local disorders. Knöbl V, Zotter C, Müller C, Gerakopoulos V, Rauch A, Falk L, Sachet M, D'Angelo E, Agostini M, Pils D, Aust S, Grusch M, Herzog R, Kratochwill K, Le Blanc S, Lenos KJ, Vermeulen L, Riss S, Bachleitner-Hofmann T, Strobel O, Dolznig H, Bergmann M, Brostjan C, Unger LW, Oehler R .Cancer Lett. 2025 Apr 12:217686. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2025.217686.

Single-cell transcriptomic analysis identifies tissue-specific fibroblasts as the main modulators of myeloid cells in peritoneal metastasis of different origin. Gerakopoulos V, Ramos C, Müller C, Walterskirchen N, Vintila S, Zotter C, Ilg M, Pap A, Riss S, Bergmann M, Unger LW, Vogt AB, Oehler R, Lukowski SW. Cancer Lett. 2025 Jun 28;620:217678. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2025.217678.

Colorectal cancer peritoneal metastasis is promoted by tissue-specific fibroblasts that can arise in response to various local disorders. Ramos C, Walterskirchen N, Knöbl V, Zotter C, Müller C, Gerakopoulos V, Rauch A, Falk L, Sachet M, D'Angelo E, Agostini M, Pils D, Aust S, Grusch M, Herzog R, Kratochwill K, Le Blanc S, Lenos KJ, Vermeulen L, Riss S, Bachleitner-Hofmann T, Strobel O, Dolznig H, Bergmann M, Brostjan C, Unger LW, Oehler R.  Cancer Lett 2025 Apr 12:217686. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2025.217686.

The atypical KRASQ22K mutation directs TGF-β response towards partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in patient-derived colorectal cancer tumoroids. Mair T, König P, Mijović M, Kalla J, Baskan A, Tran L, Draganić K, Saldaña PM, Pérez Malla CU, Pfneissl J, Tiefenbacher A, Kabiljo J, Atanasova VS, Wozelka-Oltjan L, Müllauer L, Bergmann M, Sheibani-Tezerji R, Egger G. Mol Oncol. 2025 Mar 11. doi: 10.1002/1878-0261.70014.

Surgical and oncological outcome after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma : A retrospective single center experience Müller C, Bergmann M, Stift A, Bachleitner-Hofmann T, Riss S. Wiener Klin Wochenschr 2025 Apr;137(7-8):237-243. doi: 10.1007/s00508-024-02460-z.

 Dual specific STAT3/5 degraders effectively block acute myeloid leukemia and natural killer/T cell lymphoma. Pölöske D, Sorger H, Schönbichler A, de Araujo ED, Neubauer HA, Orlova A, Timonen SH, Abdallah DI, Ianevski A, Kuusanmäki H, Surbek M, Heyes E, Eder T, Wagner C, Suske T, Metzelder ML, Bergmann M, Dahlhoff M, Grebien F, Fleck R, Pirker C, Berger W, Hadzijusufovic E, Sperr WR, Kenner L, Valent P, Aittokallio T, Herling M, Mustjoki S, Gunning PT, Moriggl R.Hemasphere. 2024 Nov 28;8(12):e70001. doi: 10.1002/hem3.70001. 

Efficacy and safety of asunercept, a CD95L-selective inhibitor, in hospitalised patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19: ASUNCTIS, a multicentre, randomised, open-label, controlled, phase 2 trial. Ruiz Seco MP, Paño Pardo JR, Schoergenhofer C, Dings C, Lehr T, Herth F, Krendyukov A, Straub C, Kappler M, Jilma B, Fricke H, Pardo J, de Miguel D, Thiemann M, Bergmann M*, Walczak* H, Hoeger T*.  EClinicalMedicine. 2024 Oct 24;77:102879. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102879. *)co-senior.

An in vivo tumour organoid model based on the chick embryonic chorioallantoic membrane mimics key characteristics of the patient tissue: a proof-of-concept study Benčurová K, Tran L, Friske J, Bevc K, Helbich TH, Hacker M, Bergmann M, Zeitlinger M, Haug A, Mitterhauser M, Egger G, Balber T.  Europ J Nucl Med Mol Immaging Research 2024 Sep 27;14(1):86. doi: 10.1186/s13550-024-01151-0.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts shape early myeloid cell response to chemotherapy-induced immunogenic signals in next generation tumor organoid cultures. Kabiljo J, Theophil A, Homola J, Renner AF, Stürzenbecher N, Ammon D, Zirnbauer R, Stang S, Tran L, Laengle J, Kulu A, Che A, Fabits M, Atanasova VS, Pusch O, Weninger W, Walczak H, Herndler-Brandstetter D, Egger G, Dolznig H, Kusienicka A, Farlik M, Bergmann M. J Immunother Cancer. 2024 Nov 4;12(11):e009494. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2024-009494

Human colorectal cancer patients exhibit exhausted-like Vd1+ gd T cells with functionally restoring potential. Stary V, Pandey RV, List J, Kabiljo J, Laengle J, Gerakopoulos V, Oehler R, Farlik M, Stary G, Stockinger H, Bergmann M*, Nina Pilat*.   Nature Communications  2024 Aug 13;15(1):6949. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-51025-1, *)co-senior             

Does surgeon or hospital volume influence outcome in dedicated colorectal units?-A Viennese perspective Schuld GJ, Schlager L, Monschein M, Riss S, Bergmann M, Razek P, Stift A, Unger LW. . Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2024 Aug 2. doi: 10.1007/s00508-024-02405-6.

The predictive value of comorbidities on postoperative complication rates and overall survival in left-sided oncological colorectal resections: a multicentre cohort study. Schlager L, Monschein M, Schüller J, Bergmann M, Krall C, Razek P, Stift A, Unger LW.  Int J Surgery 2023 Dec 1;109(12):4113-4118. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000734

Kappel-Latif S, Kotagiri P, Schlager L, Schuld G, Walterskirchen N, Schimek V, Sewell G, Binder C, Jobst J, Murthy S, Messner B, Dabsch S, Kaser A, Lyons PA, Bergmann M, Stift A, Oehler R, Unger LW. Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2024;17(4):662-666. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.12.006                                                                                                    

Albert MC, Uranga-Murillo I, Arias M, De Miguel D, Peña N, Montinaro A, Varanda AB, Theobald SJ, Areso I, Saggau J, Koch M, Liccardi G, Peltzer N, Rybniker J, Hurtado-Guerrero R, Merino P, Monzón M, Badiola JJ, Reindl-Schwaighofer R, Sanz-Pamplona R, Cebollada-Solanas A, Megyesfalvi Z, Dome B, Secrier M, Hartmann B, Bergmann M*, Pardo J*, Walczak H*. Cell Death Diff. 2024 May;31(5):544-557. doi: 10.1038/s41418-024-01278-6.  *) Co-Senior  

Meeting actual benchmarks for short- and long-term outcome after cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal surface malignancy at a newly established academic treatment center Braunschmid-T, Beer-A, Graf-A, Bhangu-SJ, Muller-C, Argeny-S, Riss-S, Stift-A, Bergmann-M, Bachleitner-Hofmann-T. Surgery, 2023 May 26:S0039-6060(23)00250-7. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2023.04.044

Evalution of Intestional Fibrosis with 68Ga-FAPI PET/MR Enterography in Crohn Disease Scharitzer M, Macher-Beer A, Mang T, Unger LW, Haug A, Reinisch W, Weber M, Nakuz T, Nics L, Hacker M, Bergmann M*, Rasul S. . Radiology 2023 May;307(3):e222389. doi: 10.1148/radiol.222389.  *corresp.

 Patient-derived organoid fibroblast co-cultures closely mimic tumor cell heterogeneity of colorectal cancer. Atanasova VS, de Jesus Cardona C, Hejret V, Tiefenbacher A, Tran L, Binder C, Kabiljo J, Clement J, Woeran K, Neudert B, Hengstschläger M, Mitterhauser M, Müllauer L, Tichy B, Bergmann M, Schweikert G, Hartl G, Dolznig H, Egger G. Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023;15(6):1391-1419. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.02.014.        

Selective Eradication of Colon Cancer Cells Harboring PI3K and/or MAPK Pathway Mutations in 3D Culture by Combined PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway and MEK Inhibition Atanasova VS, Riedl A, Strobl M, Flandorfer J, Unterleuthner D, Weindorfer C, Neuhold P, Stang S, Hengstschläger M, Bergmann M, Dolznig H. . Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jan 14;24(2):1668. doi: 10.3390/ijms24021668.           

Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in Gastrointestinal Cancers – The New Standard of Care Petricevic B, Kabiljo J, Zirnbauer R, Walczak H, Laengle J, Bergmann M. . Sem Canc Biol, 2022 Jun 4:S1044-579X(22)00126-2. doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.05.015.

Bedeutung der Chirurgie bei Morbus Crohn. Unger-L, Schuld-G, Bergmann M.   Journal f Gastroenterologische und hepatologische Erkrankungen 2022. doi.org/10.1007/s41971-022-00121-4

Impacts of Telomeric Length, Chronic Hypoxia, Senescence, and Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype on the Development of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Aschacher T, Geisler D, Lenz V, Aschacher O, Winkler B, Schaefer AK, Mitterbauer A, Wolf B, Enzmann FK, Messner B, Laufer G, Ehrlich MP, Grabenwöger M, Bergmann M.   Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Dec 7;23(24):15498.                                        

LY6G6D is a Selectively Expressed Colorectal Cancer Antigen that can be Used for Targeting a Therapeutic T-cell Response by a Tcell engager. Corrales L, Hipp S, Martin K, Sabarth N, Tirapu I, Fuchs K, Thaler B, Walterskirchen C, Bauer K, Fabits M, Bergmann M, Binder C, Chetta PM, Vogt AB, Adam PJ.  Front Immunol 2022 Sep 8;13:1008764.                                                                                      

A Novel B7-H6-targeted IgG-like T-cell Engaging Antibody for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors Zhang W, Auguste A, Liao X, Walterskirchen C, Bauer K, Lin YH, Yang L, Sayedian F, Fabits M, Bergmann M, Binder C, Corrales L, Vogt AB, Hudson LJ, Barnes MP, Bisht A, Giragossian C, Voynov V, Adam PJ, Hipp S.   Clin Cancer Res 2022 Dec 1;28(23):5190-5201.                                                   

The Role of Telocytes and Telocyte-Derived Exosomes in the Development of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. Aschacher T, Aschacher O, Schmidt K, Enzmann FK, Eichmair E, Winkler B, Arnold Z, Nagel F, Podesser BK, Mitterbauer A, Messner B, Grabenwöger M, Laufer G, Ehrlich MP, Bergmann M.  Int J Mol Sci 2022 Apr 25;23(9):4730.                                                                                                       

Metastatic colorectal carcinoma-associated fibroblasts have immunosuppressive properties related to increased IGFBP2 expression. Walterskirchen N, Müller C, Ramos C, Zeindl S, Stang S, Herzog D, Sachet M, Schimek V, Unger L, Gerakopoulos V, Hengstschläger M, Bachleitner-Hofmann T, Bergmann M, Dolznig H, Oehler R.  Cancer Lett 2022 Aug 1;540: 215737.                                              

Intensive care unit occupancy predictions in the COVID-19 pandemic based on age-structured modelling and differential flatness. Hametner C, Böhler L, Kozek M, Bartlechner J, Ecker O, Du ZP, Kölbl R, Bergmann M, Bachleitner-Hofmann T, Jakubek S.  Nonlinear Dynamics. 2022 Feb 18;1-19. doi: 10.1007/s11071-022-07267-z                                                                                                                    

Tumour cell apoptosis modulates the colorectal cancer immune microenvironment via interleukin-8-dependent neutrophil recruitment. Schimek V, Strasser K, Beer A, Göber S, Walterskirchen N, Brostjan C, Müller C, Bachleitner-Hofmann T, Bergmann M, Dolznig H, Oehler R. Cell Death Disease. 2022 Feb 4;13(2):113.     

Functional Precision Medicine Provides Clinical Benefit in Advanced Aggressive Hematological Cancers and Identifies Exceptional Responders. Kornauth C, Pemovska T, Vladimer GI, Bayer G, Bergmann M, Eder S, Eichner R, Erl M, Esterbauer H, Exner R, Felsleitner-Hauer V, Forte M, Gaiger A, Geissler K, Greinix HT, Gstöttner W, Hacker M, Hartmann BL, Hauswirth AW, Heinemann T, Heintel D, Hoda MA, Hopfinger G, Jaeger U, Kazianka L, Kenner L, Kiesewetter B, Krall N, Krajnik G, Kubicek S, Le T, Lubowitzki S, Mayerhoefer ME, Menschel E, Merkel O, Miura K, Müllauer L, Neumeister P, Noesslinger T, Ocko K, Öhler L, Panny M, Pichler A, Porpaczy E, Prager GW, Raderer M, Ristl R, Ruckser R, Salamon J, Schiefer AI, Schmolke AS, Schwarzinger I, Selzer E, Sillaber C, Skrabs C, Sperr WR, Srndic I, Thalhammer R, Valent P, van der Kouwe E, Vanura K, Vogt S, Waldstein C, Wolf D, Zielinski CC, Zojer N, Simonitsch-Klupp I, Superti-Furga G, Snijder B, Staber PB. Cancer Discov. 2021 Oct 11:candisc.0538.2021. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-21-0538  Available at: https://doi.org/10.1158/2159-8290.CD-21-0538[JL1] ;

Telocytes in the human ascending aorta: Characterization and exosome-related KLF-4/VEGF-A expression. Aschacher T, Schmidt K, Aschacher O, Eichmair E, Baranyi U, Winkler B, Grabenwoeger M, Spittler A, Enzmann F, Messner B, Riebandt J, Laufer G, Bergmann M, Ehrlich M. J Cell Mol Med. 2021 Oct;25(20):9697-9709. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.16919 Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.16919

Estimation of exogenous drivers to predict COVID-19 pandemic using a method from nonlinear control theory. Hametner C, Kozek M, Böhler L, Wasserburger A, Du ZP, Kölbl R, Bergmann M, Bachleitner-Hofmann T, Jakubek S. Nonlinear Dyn. 2021 Sep 6:1-15. doi: 10.1007/s11071-021-06811-7 Available at:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11071-021-06811-7

Stromal fibroblasts shape the myeloid phenotype in normal colon and colorectal cancer and induce CD163 and CCL2 expression in macrophages. Stadler M, Pudelko K, Biermeier A, Walterskirchen N, Gaigneaux A, Weindorfer C, Harrer N, Klett H, Hengstschläger M, Schüler J, Sommergruber W, Oehler R, Bergmann M, Letellier E, Dolznig H. Cancer Lett. 2021 Nov 1;520:184-200. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.07.006 Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2021.07.006

Surgical Complexity and Outcome During the Implementation Phase of a Robotic Colorectal Surgery Program-A Retrospective Cohort Study. Müller C, Laengle J, Riss S, Bergmann M, Bachleitner-Hofmann T. Front Oncol. 2021 Feb 16;10:603216. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2020.603216 Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2020.603216

Systematic review of the immunological landscape of Wilms tumors. Palmisani F, Kovar H, Kager L, Amann G, Metzelder M, Bergmann M. Mol Ther Oncolytics. 2021 Jul 13;22:454-467. doi: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.06.016.  Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omto.2021.06.016

 

Circulating Folate and Folic Acid Concentrations: Associations With Colorectal Cancer Recurrence and Survival. Geijsen AJMR, Ulvik A, Gigic B, Kok DE, van Duijnhoven FJB, Holowatyj AN, Brezina S, van Roekel EH, Baierl A, Bergmann M, Böhm J, Bours MJL, Brenner H, Breukink SO, Bronner MP, Chang-Claude J, de Wilt JHW, Grady WM, Grünberger T, Gumpenberger T, Herpel E, Hoffmeister M, Huang LC, Jedrzkiewicz JD, Keulen ETP, Kiblawi R, Kölsch T, Koole JL, Kosma K, Kouwenhoven EA, Kruyt FM, Kvalheim G, Li CI, Lin T, Ose J, Pickron TB, Scaife CL, Schirmacher P, Schneider MA, Schrotz-King P, Singer MC, Swanson ER, van Duijvendijk P, van Halteren HK, van Zutphen M, Vickers K, Vogelaar FJ, Wesselink E, Habermann N, Ulrich AB, Ueland PM, Weijenberg MP, Gsur A, Ulrich CM, Kampman E. JNCI Cancer Spectr. 2020 Jul 7;4(5):pkaa051. doi: 10.1093/jncics/pkaa051 https://doi.org/10.1093/jncics/pkaa051

The Immune Phenotype of Isolated Lymphoid Structures in Non-Tumorous Colon Mucosa Encrypts the Information on Pathobiology of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Mungenast F, Meshcheryakova A, Beer A, Salzmann M, Tamandl D, Gruenberger T, Pietschmann P, Koperek O, Birner P, Kirsch I, Robins H, Mittlboeck M, Jaritz M, Bergmann M, Zimmermann P, Mechtcheriakova D. Cancers (Basel). 2020 Oct 25;12(11):3117. doi: 10.3390/cancers12113117. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12113117

Short-course radiotherapy promotes pro-inflammatory macrophages via extracellular vesicles in human rectal cancer. Stary V, Wolf B, Unterleuthner D, List J, Talic M, Laengle J, Beer A, Strobl J, Stary G, Dolznig H, Bergmann M. J Immunother Cancer. 2020 Aug;8(2):e000667. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000667. https://doi.org/10.1136/jitc-2020-000667

Sixth Immunotherapy of Cancer conference (ITOC): advances and perspectives-a meeting report. Pinto C, Bergmann M, Briukhovetska D, Nuessler V, Sznol M, von Bergwelt-Baildon M, Kobold S MD. J Immunother Cancer. 2020 Feb;8(1):e000268. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2019-000268. https://doi.org/10.1136/jitc-2019-000268

Histone deacetylase inhibitors valproic acid and vorinostat enhance trastuzumab-mediated antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis. Laengle J, Kabiljo J, Hunter L, Homola J, Prodinger S, Egger G, Bergmann M. J Immunother Cancer. 2020 Jan;8(1):e000195. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2019-000195. https://doi.org/10.1136/jitc-2019-000195

Long interspersed element-1 ribonucleoprotein particles protect telomeric ends in alternative lengthening of telomeres dependent cells. Aschacher T, Wolf B, Aschacher O, Enzmann F, Laszlo V, Messner B, Türkcan A, Weis S, Spiegl-Kreinecker S, Holzmann K, Laufer G, Ehrlich M, Bergmann M. Neoplasia. 2020 Feb;22(2):61-75. doi: 10.1016/j.neo.2019.11.002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neo.2019.11.002

Landscape and Dynamics of Single Immune Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Zhang Q, He Y, Luo N, Patel SJ, Han Y, Gao R, Modak M, Carotta S, Haslinger C, Kind D, Peet GW, Zhong G, Lu S, Zhu W, Mao Y, Xiao M, Bergmann M, Hu X, Kerkar SP, Vogt AB, Pflanz S, Liu K, Peng J, Ren X, Zhang Z. Cell. 2019 Oct 31;179(4):829-845.e20. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.10.003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2019.10.003

Inactivation of mTORC2 in macrophages is a signature of colorectal cancer that promotes tumorigenesis. Katholnig K, Schütz B, Fritsch SD, Schörghofer D, Linke M, Sukhbaatar N, Matschinger JM, Unterleuthner D, Hirtl M, Lang M, Herac M, Spittler A, Bergthaler A, Schabbauer G, Bergmann M, Dolznig H, Hengstschläger M, Magnuson MA, Mikula M, Weichhart T. JCI Insight. 2019 Oct 17;4(20). pii: 124164. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.124164. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.124164

Impact of Fibroblast-Derived SPARC on Invasiveness of Colorectal Cancer Cells. Drev D, Harpain F, Beer A, Stift A, Gruber ES, Klimpfinger M, Thalhammer S, Reti A, Kenner L, Bergmann M, Marian B. Cancers (Basel). 2019 Sep 24;11(10). pii: E1421. doi: 10.3390/cancers11101421.https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers11101421

Advancing Biomarker Development Through Convergent Engagement: Summary Report of the 2nd International Danube Symposium on Biomarker Development, Molecular Imaging and Applied Diagnostics; March 14-16, 2018; Vienna, Austria. Lim MS, Beyer T, Babayan A, Bergmann M, Brehme M, Buyx A, Czernin J, Egger G, Elenitoba-Johnson KSJ, Gückel B, Jačan A, Haslacher H, Hicks RJ, Kenner L, Langanke M, Mitterhauser M, Pichler BJ, Salih HR, Schibli R, Schulz S, Simecek J, Simon J, Soares MO, Stelzl U, Wadsak W, Zatloukal K, Zeitlinger M, Hacker M. Mol Imaging Biol. 2019 May 2. doi: 10.1007/s11307-019-01361-2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-019-01361-2

Plasma metabolites associated with colorectal cancer: A discovery-replication strategy. Geijsen AJMR, Brezina S, Keski-Rahkonen P, Baierl A, Bachleitner-Hofmann T, Bergmann MM, Boehm J, Brenner H, Chang-Claude J, van Duijnhoven FJB, Gigic B, Gumpenberger T, Hofer P, Hoffmeister M, Holowatyj AN, Karner-Hanusch J, Kok DE, Leeb G, Ulvik A, Robinot N, Ose J, Stift A, Schrotz-King P, Ulrich AB, Ueland PM, Kampman E, Scalbert A, Habermann N, Gsur A, Ulrich CM. Int J Cancer. 2019 Jan 21. doi: 10.1002/ijc.32146. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.32146

Reshaping a multimode laser beam into a constructed Gaussian beam for generating a thin light sheet. Saghafi S, Haghi-Danaloo N, Becker K, Sabdyusheva I, Foroughipour M, Hahn C, Pende M, Wanis M, Bergmann M, Stift J, Hegedus B, Dome B, Dodt HU. J Biophotonics. 2018 Jun;11(6):e201700213. doi: 10.1002/jbio.201700213. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbio.201700213

Immunological differences between colorectal cancer and normal mucosa uncover a prognostically relevant immune cell profile. Strasser K, Birnleitner H, Beer A, Pils D, Gerner MC, Schmetterer KG, Bachleitner-Hofmann T, Stift A, Bergmann M, Oehler R. Oncoimmunology. 2018 Nov 5;8(2):e1537693. doi: 10.1080/2162402X.2018. https://doi.org/10.1080/2162402X.2018.1537693

FGF8 induces therapy resistance in neoadjuvantly radiated rectal cancer. Harpain F, Ahmed MA, Hudec X, Timelthaler G, Jomrich G, Müllauer L, Selzer E, Dörr W, Bergmann M, Holzmann K, Grasl-Kraupp B, Grusch M, Berger W, Marian B, Silberhumer GR. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2018 Oct 1. doi: 10.1007/s00432-018-2757-7. : https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-018-2757-7

Circulating Free Methylated Tumor DNA Markers for Sensitive Assessment of Tumor Burden and Early Response Monitoring in Patients Receiving Systemic Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis. Bhangu JS, Beer A, Mittlböck M, Tamandl D, Pulverer W, Taghizadeh H, Stremitzer S, Kaczirek K, Gruenberger T, Gnant M, Bergmann M, Mannhalter C, Weinhäusel A, Oehler R, Bachleitner-Hofmann T. Ann Surg. 2018 Aug 3. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000002901.  https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000002901

DNA damage predicts prognosis and treatment response in colorectal liver metastases superior to immunogenic cell death and T cells. Laengle J, Stift J, Bilecz A, Wolf B, Beer A, Hegedus B, Stremitzer S, Starlinger P, Tamandl D, Pils D, Bergmann M. Theranostics. 2018 May 10;8(12):3198-3213. doi: 10.7150/thno.24699. https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.24699

Preclinical In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of [18F]FE@SUPPY for Cancer PET Imaging: Limitations of a Xenograft Model for Colorectal Cancer. Balber T, Singer J, Berroterán-Infante N, Dumanic M, Fetty L, Fazekas-Singer J, Vraka C, Nics L, Bergmann M, Pallitsch K, Spreitzer H, Wadsak W, Hacker M, Jensen-Jarolim E, Viernstein H, Mitterhauser M. Contrast Media Mol Imaging. 2018 Feb 13;2018:1269830. doi: 10.1155/2018/1269830. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1269830

Leukocyte telomere length throughout the continuum of colorectal carcinogenesis. Zöchmeister C, Brezina S, Hofer P, Baierl A, Bergmann MM, Bachleitner-Hofmann T, Karner-Hanusch J, Stift A, Gerger A, Leeb G, Mach K, Rachakonda S, Kumar R, Gsur A. Oncotarget. 2018 Feb 7;9(17):13582-13592. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.24431. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.24431

[18F]FEPPA: Improved Automated Radiosynthesis, Binding Affinity, and Preliminary in Vitro Evaluation in Colorectal Cancer. Berroterán-Infante N, Balber T, Fürlinger P, Bergmann M, Lanzenberger R, Hacker M, Mitterhauser M, Wadsak W. ACS Med Chem Lett. 2018 Feb 21;9(3):177-181. doi: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.7b00367. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.7b00367

Clinical studies

PETNEC

Programmed Death-ligand 1 Positron Emission Tomography Imaging During Neoadjuvant (Chemo)radiotherapy in Esophageal and Rectal Cancer (PETNEC): a Prospective Non-randomized Open-label Single-center Pilot Study

NCT Number: NCT04564482

Status:            Active, not recruiting
Sponsor:         Medical University of Vienna

johannes.laengle@meduniwien.ac.at
michael.bergmann@meduniwien.ac.at

iMAGINE

iMmunoscore Associated Decision GuIdance for adjuvant Chemotherapy and Physical Exercise in Stage III Colon Cancer (iMAGINE): a Prospective, Randomized, Open-label, Multicenter, Phase III Clinical Trial

NCT Number: NCT04488159

Status:            Not yet recruiting
Sponsor:         Medical University of Vienna

johannes.laengle@meduniwien.ac.at
michael.bergmann@meduniwien.ac.at

CHINOREC

Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy With Sequential Ipilimumab and Nivolumab in Rectal Cancer (CHINOREC): a Prospective Randomized, Open-label, Multicenter, Phase II Clinical Trial

NCT Number: NCT04124601

Status:            Recruiting
Sponsor:         Medical University of Vienna

johannes.laengle@meduniwien.ac.at
michael.bergmann@meduniwien.ac.at


Michael Bergmann | © MedUni Wien/feelimage

a.o.Univ.Prof. Dr. Michael Bergmann

Head, Translational Tumor Immunology

Tel.: +43 (0)1 40400-73744

E-Mail: michael.bergmann@meduniwien.ac.at

Anna Spiegel Center of Translational Research, Level 5