Planning and implementing individualized immunotherapy requires the most accurate possible information about the state of each patient's immune system and the characteristics of their tumor. The IOZK diagnostic laboratory can provide this information thanks to complex immunological and molecular genetic analyses of blood samples.

Networking with other research institutions and contributing to scientific discourse (e.g., through publications in international journals, presentations at conferences, etc.) are of great importance to the IOZK. The laboratory therefore welcomes visiting physicians and supports international scientists, e.g., in the context of doctoral, master's, or bachelor's theses.

The cells of the immune system have diverse and specific tasks. They are divided into different groups (e.g., B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and many more), which are in turn divided into subgroups (e.g., T helper cells, regulatory T cells, cytotoxic T cells, or T memory cells). These groups are characterized by distinctive "signatures," specific combinations of surface antigens. Thanks to these, these subgroups can be distinguished by means of immune phenotyping and recorded in terms of their numerical composition ("quantitative cellular immune status").

Certain activation markers and functional tests can also be used to assess the functionality of relevant immune cells ("qualitative cellular immune status").

Liquid biopsy analysis is a modern and personalized method for monitoring tumor disease. The examination only requires a blood sample, eliminating the need for a tumor biopsy. This makes the examination particularly attractive, as biopsies are often technically impossible to perform or, in unfavorable cases, can lead to complications. It is even possible when the exact location of a tumor or metastasis is unknown.

Liquid biopsy can detect DNA from dead tumor cells, known as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), in the blood in terms of both quality and quantity. This molecular genetic method (duplex sequencing technology) is extremely sensitive and can detect even the smallest traces of DNA. It enables the assessment of the course of therapy and the early detection of recurrences, in some cases up to 6 months before they can be visualized using imaging techniques (MRI, CT).

The implementation of new scientific findings in clinical practice is referred to as translation. In order to offer innovative diagnostics and therapy at the IOZK, new methods are continuously implemented, established internally, and carefully tested. Existing methods are also kept up to date to ensure continuous further development. Our goal is to ensure the best possible and safest treatment for each individual patient, even if these treatments are not yet widely available in daily routine practice.