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Johannes Längle obtains Fellinger Cancer Research funding

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(Vienna, 21 July 2017) Johannes Längle from the Division of General Surgery of the Department of Surgery at MedUni Vienna/Vienna General Hospital is to receive research funding from Fellinger Cancer Research for 2017.

The title of the study is "Assessment of DNA damage, interferon induction and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in short-term radiotherapy-treated rectal cancer" and it is being conducted within the framework of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Applied Diagnostics (lbi:ad) and the Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna (CCC).

Studies have shown that cancer-infiltrating cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (T-cells) are associated with extended survival. Moreover, preclinical models have revealed that a functioning interferon (IFN) system is essential for the induction of cytotoxic T-cells. Type I IFN can be induced, inter alia, by damage to the genetic information, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
Against this background, Johannes Längle and his research team are investigating to what extent radiotherapy-related DNA damage stimulates IFN and is consequently able to induce cytotoxic T-cells directed against colon cancer.

About Johannes Längle
Johannes Längle studied human medicine at the Medical University of Vienna and, in the course of his studies, was the frequent recipient of merit-based scholarships, as well as being awarded a research grant. He is currently completing a PhD at the Medical University of Vienna on the "Immunology" programme in association with the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Applied Diagnostics (lbi:ad), under the supervision of Michael Bergmann. He is doing his specialist training in general surgery and visceral surgery at the Division of General Surgery of the Department of Surgery. The main focus of his scientific interest is tumour immunology, immuno-oncology and surgical oncology.

About Fellinger Cancer Research
Fellinger Cancer Research (Fellinger Krebsforschung) is a charitable organisation for funding cancer research. It was set up by Barbara Fellinger, widow of the doctor and former Rector of the University of Vienna, Karl Fellinger.