Research that shows the way – new CAR-NK cell study

Basic research is the first step towards a cure. That is why we, the Frankfurt Foundation for Children with Cancer, support studies with potential for ground-breaking innovative therapeutic approaches. The EPHO and the IDL at the foundation’s own Dr. Petra Joh House were able to contribute to a new study led by Prof. Dr. Evelyn Ullrich (Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt), which produced pioneering findings for a new, more effective therapy for difficult-to-treat solid tumours in children.

Immunotherapy with CAR-NK cells in combination with radiotherapy showed a better prognosis in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), one of the most common forms of aggressive soft tissue cancer.

This innovative form of immunotherapy aims to reprogramme the body’s own immune cells so that they can specifically recognise and destroy cancer cells. A highly complex process that requires intensive basic research – and at the same time opens up new hope for sick children with previously difficult-to-treat cancers.

Original publication in: Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer:

Research that leads the way – new CAR-NK cell study – Frankfurt Foundation for Children with Cancer

Illustration from: Reitz et al., J Immunother Cancer 2025;13:e011330, Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ – Collage and editing by the Frankfurt Foundation for Children with Cancer.