2024
Eitler J, Rackwitz W, Wotschel N, Gudipati V, Murali Shankar N, Sidorenkova A, Huppa JB, Ortiz-Montero P, Opitz C, Künzel SR, Michen S, Temme A, Rodrigues Loureiro L, Feldmann A, Bachmann M, Boissel L, Klingemann H, Wels WS, Tonn T. CAR-mediated targeting of NK cells overcomes tumor immune escape caused by ICAM-1 downregulation.
J. Immunother. Cancer 12: e008155, 2024.
JITCKiefer A, Prüfer M, Röder J, Pfeifer Serrahima J, Bodden M, Kühnel I, Oberoi P, Wels WS. Dual targeting of glioblastoma cells with bispecific killer cell engagers directed to EGFR and ErbB2 (HER2) facilitates effective elimination by NKG2D-CAR-engineered NK cells.
Cells 13: 246, 2024.
MDPI2023
Murali Shankar N, Ortiz-Montero P, Kurzyukova A, Rackwitz W, Künzel SR, Wels WS, Tonn T, Knopf F, Eitler J. Preclinical assessment of CAR-NK cell-mediated killing efficacy and pharmacokinetics in a rapid zebrafish xenograft model of metastatic breast cancer.
Front. Immunol.14: 1254821, 2023.
Frontiers in ImmunologyBodden M, Häcker A, Röder J, Kiefer A, Zhang C, Bhatti A, Pfeifer Serrahima J, Ullrich E, Kühnel I, Wels WS. Co-expression of an IL-15 superagonist facilitates self-enrichment of GD2-targeted CAR-NK cells and mediates potent cell killing in the absence of IL-2.
Cancers 15: 4310, 2023.
MDPIHeim C, Moser LM, Kreyenberg H, Bönig H, Tonn T, Wels WS, Gradhand E, Ullrich E, Meister MT, Koerkamp MG, Holstege FC, Drost J, Klusmann JH, Bader P, Merker M, Rettinger E. ErbB2 (HER2)-CAR-NK-92 cells for enhanced immunotherapy of metastatic fusion-driven alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma.
Front. Immunol. 14: 1228894, 2023.
Frontiers in ImmunologyBurger MC, Forster M-T, Romanski A, Straßheimer F, Macas J, Zeiner PS, Steidl E, Herkt S, Weber KJ, Schupp J, Lun JH, Strecker MI, Wlotzka K, Cakmak P, Opitz C, George R, Mildenberger IC, Nowakowska P, Zhang C, Röder J, Müller E, Ihrig K, Langen K-J, Rieger MA, Herrmann E, Bönig H, Harter PN, Reiss Y, Hattingen E, Rödel F, Plate KH, Tonn T, Senft C, Steinbach JP, Wels WS. Intracranial injection of natural killer cells engineered with a HER2-targeted chimeric antigen receptor in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.
Neuro Oncol. 25: 2058-2071, 2023.
Neuro-OncologyPfeifer Serrahima J, Zhang C, Oberoi P, Bodden M, Röder J, Arndt C, Feldmann A, Kiefer A, Prüfer M, Kühnel I, Tonn T, Bachmann M, Wels WS. Multivalent adaptor proteins specifically target NK cells carrying a universal chimeric antigen receptor to ErbB2 (HER2)-expressing cancers.
Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 72: 2905-2918, 2023.
Cancer Immunology, ImmunotherapyWotschel N, Ortiz Montero P, Wels WS, Tonn T, Eitler J. Live-cell imaging for analysis of the NK cell immunological synapse.
Methods Cell Biol. 178: 1-12, 2023.
Methods in Cell Biology2022
Strecker MI, Wlotzka K, Strassheimer F, Roller B, Ludmirski G, König S, Röder J, Opitz C, Alekseeva T, Reul J, Sevenich L, Tonn T, Wels WS, Steinbach JP, Buchholz CJ, Burger MC. AAV-mediated gene transfer of a checkpoint inhibitor in combination with HER2-targeted CAR-NK cells as experimental therapy for glioblastoma.
OncoImmunology 11: e2127508, 2022.
OncoImmunologyHejazi M, Zhang C, Bennstein SB, Balz V, Reusing SB, Quadflieg M, Hoerster K, Heinrichs S, Hanenberg H, Oberbeck S, Nitsche M, Cramer S, Pfeifer R, Oberoi P, Rühl H, Oldenburg J, Brossart P, Horn PA, Babor F, Wels WS, Fischer JC, Möker N, Uhrberg M.
CD33 delineates two functionally distinct NK cell populations divergent in cytokine production and antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity.
Front. Immunol. 12, 798087, 1-11, 2021.
Frontiers in Immunology2021
Correia MP, Stojanovic A, Wels WS, Cerwenka A.
Innate-like NKp30+CD8+ T cells armed with TCR/CAR target tumor heterogeneity.
OncoImmunology 10: e1973783, 2021.
OncoImmunologyZhang C, Röder J, Scherer A, Bodden M, Pfeifer Serrahima J, Bhatti A, Waldmann A, Müller N, Oberoi P, Wels WS.
Bispecific antibody-mediated redirection of NKG2D-CAR natural killer cells facilitates dual targeting and enhances antitumor activity.
J. Immunother. Cancer 9: e002980, 2021.
JITCGossel LDH, Heim C, Pfeffermann LM, Moser LM, Bönig H, Klingebiel TE, Bader P, Wels WS, Merker M, Rettinger E.
Retargeting of NK-92 cells against high-risk rhabdomyosarcomas by means of an ERBB2 (HER2/neu)-specific chimeric antigen receptor.
Cancers 13: 1443, 2021.
MDPIStrobel SB, Machiraju D, Hülsmeyer I, Becker JC, Paschen A, Jäger D, Wels WS, Bachmann M, Hassel JC.
Expression of potential targets for cell-based therapies on melanoma cells.
Life 11: 269, 2021.
MDPIEitler J, Wotschel N, Miller N, Boissel L, Klingemann HG, Wels W, Tonn T.
Inability of granule polarization by NK cells defines tumor resistance and can be overcome by CAR or ADCC mediated targeting.
J. Immunother. Cancer 9: e001334, 2021.
JITC2020
Merker M, Wagner J, Kreyenberg H, Heim C, Moser LM, Wels WS, Bönig H, Ivics Z, Ullrich E, Klingebiel TE, Bader P, Rettinger E.
ERBB2-CAR-engineered cytokine-induced killer cells exhibit both CAR-mediated and innate immunity against high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma.
Front. Immunol. 11: 581468, 2020.
Frontiers in ImmunologyLazarova M, Wels WS, Steinle A.
Arming cytotoxic lymphocytes for cancer immunotherapy by means of the NKG2D/NKG2D-ligand system.
Expert Opin. Biol. Th. 20: 1491-1502, 2020.
PubMedHegde M, Joseph SK, Pashankar F, DeRenzo C, Sanber K, Navai S, Byrd TT, Hicks J, Xu M, Gerken C, Kalra M, Robertson C, Zhang H, Shree A, Mehta B, Dakhova O, Salsman VS, Grilley B, Gee A, Dotti G, Heslop HE, Brenner MK, Wels WS, Gottschalk S, Ahmed N.
Tumor response and endogenous immune reactivity after administration of HER2 CAR T cells in a child with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma.
Nat. Commun. 11: 3549, 2020.
PubMedOberoi P, Kamenjarin K, Villena Ossa JF, Uherek B, Bönig H, Wels WS.
Directed differentiation of mobilized hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into functional NK cells with enhanced antitumor activity.
Cells 9: 811, 2020.
MDPIMitwasi N, Feldmann A, Arndt C, Koristka S, Berndt N, Jureczek J, Loureiro LR, Bergmann R, Máthé D, Hegedüs N, Kovács T, Zhang C, Oberoi P, Jäger E, Seliger B, Rössig C, Temme A, Eitler J, Tonn T, Schmitz M, Hassel JC, Jäger D, Wels WS, Bachmann M.
“UniCAR”-modified off-the-shelf NK-92 cells for targeting of GD2-expressing tumour cells.
Sci. Rep. 10: 2141, 2020.
Scientific ReportsMüller S, Bexte T, Gebel V, Kalensee F, Stolzenberg E, Hartmann J, Koehl U, Schambach A, Wels WS, Modlich U, Ullrich E.
High cytotoxic efficiency of lentivirally and alpharetrovirally engineered CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor natural killer cells against acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Front. Immunol. 10: 3123, 2020.
Frontiers in Immunology2019
Burger MC, Zhang C, Harter PN, Romanski A, Strassheimer F, Senft C, Tonn T, Steinbach JP, Wels WS.
CAR-engineered NK cells for the treatment of glioblastoma: Turning innate effectors into precision tools for cancer immunotherapy.
Front. Immunol. 10: 2683, 2019.
Frontiers in ImmunologySchnalzger TE, de Groot MH, Zhang C, Mosa MH, Michels BE, Röder J, Darvishi T, Wels WS, Farin HF.
3D model for CAR-mediated cytotoxicity using patient-derived colorectal cancer organoids.
EMBO J. 38: e100928, 2019.
PubMedOelsner S, Waldmann A, Billmeier A, Röder J, Lindner A, Ullrich E, Marschalek R, Dotti G, Jung G, Große-Hovest L, Oberoi P, Bader P, Wels WS.
Genetically engineered CAR NK cells display selective cytotoxicity against FLT3-positive B-ALL and inhibit in vivo leukemia growth.
Int. J. Cancer 145: 1935-1945, 2019.
PubMed2018
Pfeiffer A, Thalheimer FB, Hartmann S, Frank, AM, Bender RR, Danisch S, Costa C, Wels WS, Modlich U, Stripecke R, Verhoeyen E, Buchholz CJ.
In vivo generation of human CD19-CAR T cells results in B-cell depletion and signs of cytokine release syndrome.
EMBO Mol. Med. 10: e9158, 2018.
PubMedZiegler PK, Bollrath J, Pallangyo CK, Matsutani T, Canli Ö, DeOliveira T, Diamanti MA, Müller N, Gamrekelashvili J, Putoczki T, Horst D, Mankan AK, Öner MG, Müller S, Müller-Höcker J, Kirchner T, Slotta-Huspenina J, Taketo MM, Reinheckel T, Dröse S, Larner AC, Wels WS, Ernst M, Greten TF, Arkan MC, Korn T, Wirth D, Greten FR.
Mitophagy in intestinal epithelial cells triggers adaptive immunity during tumorigenesis.
Cell 174: 88-101, 2018.
PubMedKrackhardt AM, Anliker B, Hildebrandt M, Bachmann M, Eichmüller SB, Nettelbeck DM, Renner M, Uharek L, Willimsky G, Schmitt M, Wels WS, Schüssler-Lenz M.
Clinical translation and regulatory aspects of CAR/TCR-based adoptive cell therapies – the German Cancer Consortium approach.
Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 67: 513-523, 2018.
PubMedByrd TT, Fousek K, Pignata A, Szot C, Samaha H, Seaman S, Dobrolecki L, Salsman V, Oo HZ, Bielamowicz K, Landi D, Rainusso N, Hicks J, Powell S, Baker ML, Wels WS, Koch J, Sorensen PH, Deneen B, Ellis MJ, Lewis MT, Hegde M, Fletcher BS, St. Croix B, Ahmed N.
TEM8/ANTXR1-specific CAR T cells as a targeted therapy for triple-negative breast cancer.
Cancer Res. 78: 489-500, 2018.
PubMed
Nowakowska P, Romanski A, Miller N, Odendahl M, Bönig H, Zhang C, Seifried E, Wels WS, Tonn T.
Clinical grade manufacturing of genetically modified, CAR-expressing NK-92 cells for the treatment of ErbB2-positive malignancies.
Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 67:25-38, 2018.
PubMed
2017
Merker M, Pfirrmann V, Oelsner S, Fulda S, Klingebiel T, Wels WS, Bader P, Rettinger E.
Generation and charakterization of ErbB2-CAR-engineered cytokine-induced killer cells for the treatment of high-risk soft tissue sarcoma in children.
Oncotarget 8:66137-66153, 2017.
OncotargetAhmed N, Brawley V, Hegde M, Bielamowicz K, Kalra M, Landi D, Robertson C, Gray TL, Diouf O, Wakefield A, Ghazi A, Gerken C, Yi Z, Ashoori A, Wu MF, Liu H, Rooney C, Dotti G, Gee A, Su J, Kew Y, Baskin D, Zhang YJ, New P, Grilley B, Stojakovic M, Hicks J, Powell SZ, Brenner MK, Heslop HE, Grossman R, Wels WS, Gottschalk S.
HER2 chimeric antigen receptor-modified virus-specific T cells for progressive glioblastoma: a phase I dose-escalation trial.
JAMA Oncol. 3:1094-1101, 2017.
PubMedWagner J, Pfannenstiel V, Waldmann A, Bergs JWJ, Brill B, Hünecke S, Klingebiel T, Rödel F, Buchholz CJ, Wels WS, Bader P, Ullrich E.
A two-phase expansion protocol combining IL-15 and IL-21 improves NK cell proliferation and cytotoxicity against rhabdomyosarcoma.
Front. Immunol. 8: 676, 2017.
Frontiers in ImmunologyZhang C, Oberoi P, Oelsner S, Waldmann A, Lindner A, Tonn T, Wels WS.
Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered NK-92 cells: An off-the-shelf cellular therapeutic for targeted elimination of cancer cells and induction of protective anti-tumor immunity.
Front. Immunol. 8: 533, 2017.
Frontiers in ImmunologyOelsner S, Friede ME, Zhang C, Wagner J, Badura S, Bader P, Ullrich E, Ottmann OG, Klingemann H, Tonn T, Wels WS.
Continuously expanding CAR NK-92 cells display selective cytotoxicity against B-cell leukemia and lymphoma.
Cytotherapy 19:235-249, 2017.
PubMed2016
Hegde M, Mukherjee M, Grada Z, Pignata A, Landi D, Navai SA, Wakefield A, Fousek K, Bielawowicz K, Chow KK, Brawley VS, Byrd TT, Krebs S, Gottschalk S, Wels WS, Baker ML, Dotti G, Mamonkin M, Brenner MK, Orange JS, Ahmed N.
Tandem CAR T cells targeting HER2 and IL13Rα2 mitigate tumor antigen escape.
J. Clin. Invest. 126: 3036-3052, 2016.
PubMedOelsner S, Wagner J, Friede ME, Pfirrmann V, Genßler S, Rettinger E, Buchholz CJ, Pfeiffer H, Schubert R, Ottmann OG, Ullrich E, Bader P, Wels WS.
Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered cytokine-induced killer cells overcome treatment resistance of pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and enhance survival.
Int. J. Cancer 139: 1799-1809, 2016.
PubMedRomanski A, Uherek C, Bug G, Seifried E, Klingemann H, Wels WS, Ottmann OG, Tonn T.
CD19-CAR engineered NK-92 cells are sufficient to overcome NK cell resistance in B-cell malignancies.
J. Cell. Mol. Med. 20: 1287-1294, 2016.
PubMedAlkins RD, Burgess A, Kerbel R, Wels WS, Hynynen K.
Early Treatment of HER2-amplified brain tumors with targeted NK-92 cells and focused ultrasound improves survival.
Neuro Oncol. 18: 974-981, 2016.
PubMedGenßler S, Burger MC, Zhang C, Oelsner S, Mildenberger I, Wagner M, Steinbach JP, Wels WS.
Dual targeting of glioblastoma with chimeric antigen receptor-engineered natural killer cells overcomes heterogeneity of target antigen expression and enhances antitumor activity and survival.
OncoImmunology 5: e1119354, 2016.
PubMedZhang C, Burger MC, Jennewein L, Genßler S, Schönfeld K, Zeiner P, Hattingen E, Harter PN, Mittelbronn M, Tonn T, Steinbach JP, Wels WS.
ErbB2/HER2-specific NK cells for targeted therapy of glioblastoma.
J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 108: dvj375, 2016.
PubMedSuck G, Odendahl M, Nowakowska P, Seidl C, Wels WS, Klingemann HG, Tonn T.
NK-92: an ‘off-the-shelf therapeutic’ for adoptive natural killer cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 65: 485-492, 2016.
PubMed2015
Zhou Q, Uhlig KM, Muth A, Kimpel J, Lévy C, Münch RC, Seifried J, Pfeiffer A, Trkola A, Coulibaly C, von Laer D, Wels WS, Hartwig UF, Verhoeyen E, Buchholz CJ.
Exclusive transduction of human CD4+ T cells upon systemic delivery of CD4-targeted lentiviral vectors.
J. Immunol. 195: 2493-2501, 2015.
PubMedPfirrmann V, Oelsner S, Rettinger E, Huenecke S, Bönig H, Merker M, Wels WS, Cinatl J, Schubert R, Klingebiel T, Bader P.
Cytomegalovirus-specific cytokine-induced killer cells: concurrent targeting of leukemia and cytomegalovirus.
Cytotherapy 17: 1139-1151, 2015.
PubMedAhmed N, Brawley VS, Hegde M, Robertson C, Ghazi A, Gerken C, Liu E, Dakhova O, Ashoori A, Corder A, Gray T, Wu MF, Liu H, Hicks J, Rainusso N, Dotti G, Mei Z, Grilley B, Gee A, Rooney CM, Brenner MK, Heslop HE, Wels WS, Wang LL, Anderson P, Gottschalk S.
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-specific chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells for the immunotherapy of HER2-positive sarcoma.
J. Clin. Oncol. 33: 1688-1696, 2015.
PubMedSeidel D, Shibina A, Siebert N, Wels WS, Reynolds CP, Huebener N, Lode HN.
Disialoganglioside-specific human natural killer cells are effective against drug-resistant neuroblastoma.
Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 64: 621-624, 2015.
PubMedSchönfeld K, Sahm C, Zhang C, Naundorf S, Brendel C, Odendahl M, Nowakowska P, Bönig H, Köhl U, Kloess S, Köhler S, Holtgreve-Grez H, Jauch A, Schmidt M, Schubert R, Kühlcke K, Seifried E, Klingemann HG, Rieger MA, Tonn T, Grez M, Wels WS.
Selective inhibition of tumor growth by clonal NK cells expressing an ErbB2/HER2-specific chimeric antigen receptor.
Mol. Ther. 23: 330-338, 2015.
PubMedGlienke W, Esser R, Priesner C, Suerth JD, Schambach A, Wels WS, Grez M, Kloess S, Arseniev L, Koehl U.
Advantages and applications of CAR-expressing natural killer cells.
Front. Pharmacol. 6: 21, 2015 (doi: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00021).
PubMed2014
Müller N, Hartmann C, Genßler S, Koch J, Kinner A, Grez M, Wels WS.
A bispecific transmembrane antibody simultaneously targeting intra- and extracellular epitopes of the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibits receptor activation and tumor cell growth.
Int. J. Cancer 134: 2547-2559, 2014.
PubMedAbken H, Wels WS, Kühlcke K.
The express drivers: Chimeric antigen receptor-redirected T cells make it to the clinic.
in: Cancer Immunotherapy Meets Oncology. In Honor of Christoph Huber.
Eds.: Britten CM, Kreiter S, Diken M, Rammensee H-G, pp 127-135, Springer, Heidelberg, 2014.
SpringerRettinger E, Kreyenberg H, Merker M, Kuçi S, Willasch A, Bug G, Ullrich E, Wels WS, Bönig H, Klingebiel T, Bader P.
Immunomagnetic selection or irradiation eliminates alloreactive cells but also reduces anti-tumor potential of cytokine-induced killer cells: Implications for unmanipulated cytokine-induced killer cell infusion.
Cytotherapy 16: 835-844, 2014.
PubMed2013
Boissel L, Betancur M, Lu W, Krause DS, Van Etten RA, Wels WS, Klingemann H.
Retargeting NK-92 cells by means of CD19- and CD20-specific chimeric antigen receptors compares favorably with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.
OncoImmunology 2: e26527, 2013.
PubMedOberoi P, Wels WS.
Arming NK cells with enhanced antitumor activity: CARs and beyond.
OncoImmunology 2: e25220, 2013.
PubMedKraus B., Fischer K, Büchner SM, Wels WS, Löwer R, Sliva K, Schnierle BS.
Vaccination directed against the human endogenous retrovirus-K envelope protein inhibits tumor growth in a murine model system.
PLoS ONE, 8: e72756, 2013.
PubMedGrada Z, Hegde M, Byrd T, Shaffer DR, Ghazi A, Brawley VS, Corder A, Schönfeld K, Koch J, Dotti G, Heslop H, Gottschalk S, Wels WS, Baker ML, Ahmed N.
TanCAR: A novel bispecific chimeric antigen receptor for cancer immunotherapy.
Mol. Ther. Nucleic Acids, 2: e105, 2013.
PubMedOberoi P, Jabulowsky RA, Bähr-Mahmud H, Wels WS.
EGFR-targeted granzyme B expressed in NK cells enhances natural cytotoxicity and mediates specific killing of tumor cells.
PLoS ONE, 8: e61267, 2013.
PubMedAlkins R, Burgess A, Ganguly M, Franco G, Kerbel R, Wels WS, Hynynen K.
Focused ultrasound delivers targeted immune cells to metastatic brain tumors.
Cancer Res., 73: 1892-1899, 2013.
PubmedOberoi P, Jabulowsky RA, Wels WS.
Selective induction of cancer cell death by targeted granzyme B.
Antibodies, 2: 130-151, 2013.
MDPI2012
Zhou Q, Schneider I, Edes I, Honegger A, Bach P, Schönfeld K, Schambach A, Wels WS, Kneissl S, Uckert W, Buchholz CJ.
T cell receptor gene transfer exclusively to human CD8+ cells enhances tumor cell killing.
Blood, 120: 4334-4342, 2012.
PubMedBurkhardt UE, Jakobi V, Sloots A, Wei WZ, Cavallo F, Kloke BP, Wels WS.
IL-15 augments antitumoral activity of an ErbB2/HER2 cancer vaccine targeted to professional antigen presenting cells.
Cancer Immunol. Immunother., 61: 1473-1484, 2012.
PubMedSahm C, Schönfeld K, Wels WS.
Expression of IL-15 in NK cells results in rapid enrichment and selective cytotoxicity of gene-modified effectors that carry a tumor-specific antigen receptor.
Cancer Immunol. Immunother., 61: 1451-1461, 2012.
PubMedJabulowsky RA, Oberoi P, Bähr-Mahmud H, Dälken B, Wels WS.
Surface charge-modification prevents sequestration and enhances tumor-cell specificity of a recombinant Granzyme B – TGFalpha fusion protein
Bioconjugate Chem. 23: 1567-1576, 2012.
PubMedRettinger E, Meyer V, Kreyenberg H, Volk A, Kuçi S, Willasch A, Koscielniak E, Fulda S, Wels WS, Boenig H, Klingebiel T, Bader P.
Cytotoxic capacity of IL-15-stimulated cytokine-induced killer cells against human acute myeloid leukemia and rhabdomyosarcoma in humanized preclinical mouse models.
Front. Oncol. 2: 32, 2012.
PubMedBoissel L, Betancur M, Lu W, Wels WS, Marino T, Van Etten RA, Klingemann H.
Comparison of mRNA and lentiviral-based transfection of NK cells with chimeric antigen receptors recognizing lymphoid antigens.
Leuk. Lymphoma 53: 958-965, 2012.
PubMedEsser R, Müller T, Stefes D, Kloess S, Seidel D, Gillies SD, Aperlo-Iffland C, Huston JS, Uherek C, Schönfeld K, Tonn T, Huebener N, Lode HN, Koehl U, Wels WS.
NK cells engineered to express a GD2-specific chimeric antigen receptor display built-in ADCC-like activity against tumour cells of neuroectodermal origin.
J. Cell. Mol. Med. 16: 569-581, 2012.
PubMed2011
Meier R, Golovko D, Tavri S, Henning TD, Knopp C, Piontek G, Rudelius M, Heinrich P, Wels WS, Daldrup-Link H.
Depicting adoptive immunotherapy for prostate cancer in an animal model with magnetic resonance imaging.
Magn. Reson. Med. 65: 756-763, 2011.
PubMed2010
Dälken B, Jabulowsky RA, Oberoi P, Benhar I, Wels WS.
Maltose-binding protein enhances secretion of recombinant human granzyme B accompanied by in vivo processing of a precursor MBP fusion protein.
PLoS ONE 5: e14404, 2010.
PubMedSchneider B, Münkel S, Krippner-Heidenreich A, Grunwald I, Wels WS, Wajant H, Pfizenmaier K, Gerspach J.
Potent antitumoral activity of TRAIL through generation of tumor-targeted single-chain fusion proteins.
Cell Death Dis. 1: e68, 2010.
PubMedHartmann C, Müller N, Blaukat A, Koch J, Benhar I, Wels WS.
Peptide mimotopes recognized by antibodies cetuximab and matuzumab induce a functionally equivalent anti-EGFR immune response.
Oncogene 29: 4517-4527, 2010.
PubMedJha P, Reinhart V, Knopp C, Li S, Wels WS, Wendland MF, Daldrup-Link H.
NK-cell tracking using non-invasive imaging techniques.
in: Natural Killer Cells. Eds.: Lotze M, Thomson A., pp 653-664, Elsevier, San Diego, 2010.
Elsevier2009
Ahmed N, Salsman VS, Yvon E, Louis CU, Perlaky L, Wels WS, Dishop MK, Kleinerman EE, Pule M, Rooney CM, Heslop HE, Gottschalk S.
Immunotherapy for osteosarcoma: Genetic modification of T cells overcomes low levels of tumor antigen expression.
Mol. Ther. 17: 1779-1787, 2009.
PubMedWeber G, Karbach J, Kuçi S, Kreyenberg H, Willasch A, Koscielniak E, Tonn T, Klingebiel T, Wels WS, Jäger E,
Bader P.
WT1 peptide-specific T cells generated from peripheral blood of healthy donors: possible implications for adoptive immunotherapy after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Leukemia 23: 1634-1642, 2009.
PubMedBoissel L, Betancur M, Wels WS, Tuncer H, Klingemann H.
Transfection with mRNA for CD19 specific chimeric antigen receptor restores NK cell mediated killing of CLL cells.
Leukemia Res. 33: 1255-1259, 2009.
PubMedTavri S, Jha P, Meier R, Henning TD, Müller T, Hostetter D, Knopp C, Johannson M, Reinhart V, Boddington S, Sista A, Wels WS, Daldrup-Link HE.
Optical imaging of cellular immunotherapy against prostate cancer.
Mol. Imaging 8: 15-26, 2009.
PubMedMahmud H, Dälken B, Wels WS.
Induction of programmed cell death in ErbB2/HER2-expressing cancer cells by targeted delivery of apoptosis inducing factor.
Mol. Cancer Ther. 8: 1526-1535, 2009.
PubMed2008
Sloots A, Mastini C, Rohrbach F, Weth R, Curcio C, Burkhardt U, Jäger E, Forni G, Cavallo F, Wels WS.
DNA vaccines targeting tumor antigens to B7 molecules on APCs induce protective anti-tumor immunity and delay onset of HER2/Neu-driven mammary carcinoma.
Clin. Cancer Res. 14: 6933-6943, 2008.
PubMedMichaelis M, Bliss J, Arnold SC, Hinsch N, Rothweiler F, Deubzer HE, Witt O, Langer K, Doerr HW, Wels WS,
Cinatl jr J.
Cisplatin-resistant neuroblastoma cells express enhanced levels of EGF receptor and are highly sensitive to treatment with EGF receptor-specific recombinant toxins.
Clin. Cancer Res. 14: 6531-6537, 2008.
PubMedMeier R, Piert M, Piontek G, Rudelius M, Oostendorp RA, Senekowitsch-Schmittke R, Henning TD, Wels WS, Uherek C, Rummeny EJ, Daldrup-Link HE.
Tracking of [18F]FDG-labeled natural killer cells to HER2/neu positive tumors.
Nucl. Med. Biol. 35: 579-588, 2008.
PubMedMüller T, Uherek C, Maki G, Chow KU, Schimpf A, Klingemann HG, Tonn T, Wels WS.
Expression of a CD20-specific chimeric antigen receptor enhances cytotoxic activity of NK cells and overcomes NK-resistance of lymphoma and leukemia cells.
Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 57: 411-423, 2008.
PubMed2007
Mazor Y, Noy R, Wels WS, Benhar I.
chFRP5-ZZ-PE38, a large IgG-toxin immunoconjugate outperforms the corresponding smaller FRP5(Fv)-ETA immunotoxin in eradicating ErbB2-expressing tumor xenografts.
Cancer Letters 257: 124-135, 2007.
PubMedKlöss S, Bochennek K, Huenecke S, Zimmermann SY, Kuçi S, Müller T, Wels WS, Klingebiel T, Esser R, Koehl U.
A novel five-colour flow cytometric assay to determine NK cell cytotoxicity against neuroblastoma and other adherent tumour cells.
J. Immunol. Methods 325: 140-147, 2007.
PubMedKirkin V, Cahuzac N, Guardiola-Serrano F, Huault S, Lückerath K, Friedmann E, Novac N, Wels WS, Martoglio B, Hueber AO, Zörnig M.
The Fas ligand intracellular domain is released by ADAM10 and SPPL2a cleavage in T-cells.
Cell Death Differ. 14: 1678-1687, 2007.
PubMedAhmed N, Ratnayake M, Savoldo B, Perlaky L, Dotti G, Wels WS, Bhattacharjee MB, Gilbertson RJ, Shine DH, Weiss HL, Rooney CM, Heslop HE, Gottschalk S.
Regression of experimental medulloblastoma following transfer of HER2-specific T cells.
Cancer Res. 67: 5957-5964, 2007.
PubMedSingh R, Samant U, Hyland S, Chaudhari PR, Wels WS, Bandyopadhyay D.
Target specific cytotoxic activity of recombinant immunotoxin scFv(MUC1)-ETA on breast carcinoma cells and primary breast tumors.
Mol. Cancer Ther. 6: 562-569, 2007.
PubMedNovak H, Noy R, Oved K, Segal D, Wels WS, Reiter Y.
Selective antibody-mediated targeting of class I MHC to EGFR-expressing tumor cells induces potent anti-tumor CTL activity in vitro and in vivo.
Int. J. Cancer 120: 329-336, 2007.
PubMed2006
Heurtault B, Thomann JS, Jedrzejewska J, Wels WS, Schuber F, Frisch B.
Liposome-based systems for anti-tumor vaccination: influence of lipopeptide adjuvants.
J. Liposome Res. 16: 205-213, 2006.
PubMedDälken B, Giesübel U, Knauer SK, Wels WS.
Targeted induction of apoptosis by chimeric granzyme B fusion proteins carrying antibody and growth factor domains for cell recognition.
Cell Death Differ. 13: 576-585, 2006.
PubMedGiesübel U, Dälken B, Mahmud H, Wels WS.
Cell binding, internalization and cytotoxic activity of human granzyme B expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris.
Biochem. J. 394: 563-573, 2006.
PubMed2005
Shaki-Loewenstein S, Zfania R, Hyland S, Wels WS, Benhar I.
A universal strategy for stable intracellular antibodies.
J. Immunol. Methods 303: 19-39, 2005.
PubMedSloots A, Wels WS.
Recombinant derivatives of the human high mobility group protein HMGB2 mediate efficient nonviral gene delivery.
FEBS J. 272: 4221-4236, 2005.
PubMedvon Minckwitz G, Harder S, Hövelmann S, Jäger E, Al-Batran SE, Loibl S, Atmaca A, Cimpoiasu C, Neumann A, Abera A, Knuth A, Kaufmann M, Jäger D, Maurer AB, Wels WS.
Phase I clinical study of the recombinant antibody-toxin scFv(FRP5)-ETA specific for the ErbB2/HER2 receptor in patients with advanced solid malignomas.
Breast Cancer Res. 7: R617-R626, 2005.
PubMedRohrbach F, Weth R, Kursar M, Sloots A, Mittrücker HW, Wels WS.
Targeted delivery of the ErbB2/HER2 tumor antigen to professional antigen presenting cells results in effective antitumor immunity.
J. Immunol. 174: 5841-5849, 2005.
PubMedRoth A, Rohrbach F, Weth R, Frisch B, Schuber F, Wels WS.
Induction of effective and antigen-specific antitumor immunity by a liposomal ErbB2/HER2 peptide-based vaccination construct.
Brit. J. Cancer 92: 1421-1429, 2005.
PubMedBiburger M, Weth R, Wels WS.
A novel bispecific tretravalent antibody fusion protein to target costimulatory activity for T-cell activation to tumor cells overexpressing ErbB2/HER2.
J. Mol. Biol. 346: 1299-1311, 2005.
PubMedDaldrup-Link HE, Meier R, Rudelius M, Piontek G, Piert M, Metz S, Settles M, Uherek C, Wels WS, Schlegel J, Rummeny EJ.
In vivo tracking of genetically engineered, anti-HER2/neu directed natural killer cells to HER2/neu positive mammary tumors with magnetic resonance imaging.
Eur. Radiol. 15: 4-13, 2005.
PubMedSelected Publications 1992 – 2004
Wels W, Biburger M, Müller T, Dälken B, Giesübel U, Tonn T, Uherek C.
Recombinant immunotoxins and retargeted killer cells: employing engineered antibody fragments for tumor-specific targeting of cytotoxic effectors.
Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 53: 217-226, 2004.
PubMedAzemar M, Djahansouzi S, Jäger E, Solbach C, Schmidt M, Maurer AB, Mross K, Unger C, von Minckwitz G, Dall P, Groner B, Wels W.
Regression of cutaneous tumor lesions in patients intratumorally injected with a recombinant single-chain antibody-toxin targeted to ErbB2/HER2.
Breast Cancer Res. Treat. 82: 155-164, 2003.
PubMedHyland S, Beerli RR, Barbas CF III, Hynes NE, Wels W.
Generation and functional characterization of intracellular antibodies interacting with the kinase domain of human EGF receptor.
Oncogene 22: 1557-1567, 2003.
PubMedUherek C, Tonn T, Uherek B, Becker S, Schnierle B, Klingemann HG, Wels W.
Retargeting of natural killer-cell cytolytic activity to ErbB2 expressing cancer cells results in efficient and selective tumor cell destruction.
Blood 100: 1265-1273, 2002.
PubMedWang L, Liu B, Schmidt M, Lu Y, Wels W, Fan Z.
Antitumor effect of an HER2 specific antibody-toxin fusion protein on human prostate cancer cells.
Prostate 47: 21-28, 2001.
PubMedRohrbach, F., Gerstmayer, B., Biburger, M., Wels W.
Construction and characterization of bispecific costimulatory molecules containing a minimized CD86 (B7-2) domain and single chain antibody fragments for tumor targeting.
Clin. Cancer Res. 6: 4314-4322, 2000.
PubMedAzemar M, Schmidt M, Arlt F, Kennel P, Brandt B, Papadimitriou A, Groner B, Wels W.
Recombinant antibody-toxins specific for ErbB2 and EGF receptor inhibit the in vitro growth of human head and neck cancer cells and cause rapid tumor regression in vivo.
Int. J. Cancer 86: 269-275, 2000.
PubMedSchmidt M, Maurer-Gebhard M, Groner B, Köhler G, Brochmann-Santos G, Wels W.
Suppression of metastasis formation by a recombinant single chain antibody-toxin targeted to full-length and oncogenic variant EGF receptors.
Oncogene 18: 1711-1721, 1999.
PubMedMaurer-Gebhard M, Schmidt M, Azemar M, Altenschmidt U, Stöcklin E, Wels W, Groner B.
Systemic treatment with a recombinant erbB-2 receptor-specific tumor toxin efficiently reduces pulmonary metastases in mice injected with genetically modified carcinoma cells.
Cancer Res. 58: 2661-2666, 1998.
PubMedUherek C, Fominaya J, Wels W.
A modular DNA carrier protein based on the structure of diphtheria toxin mediates target cell-specific gene delivery.
J. Biol. Chem. 273: 8835-8841, 1998.
PubmedSpyridonidis A, Schmidt M, Bernhardt W, Papadimitriou A, Azemar M, Wels W, Groner B, Henschler R.
Purging of mammary carcinoma cells during ex vivo culture of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells with recombinant immunotoxins.
Blood 91: 1820-1827, 1998.
PubMedSchmidt M, Reiser P, Hills D, Gullick WJ, Wels W.
Expression of an oncogenic mutant EGF receptor markedly increases the sensitivity of cells to an EGF-receptor specific antibody-toxin.
Int. J. Cancer 75: 878-884, 1998.
PubMedGerstmayer B, Altenschmidt U, Hoffmann M, Wels W.
Costimulation of T-cell proliferation by a chimeric B7-2-antibody fusion protein specifically targeted to cells expressing the erbB2 proto-oncogene.
J. Immunol. 158: 4584-4590, 1997.
PubMedZimmermann S, Wels W, Froesch BA, Gerstmayer B, Stahel RA, Zangemeister-Wittke U.
A novel immunotoxin recognising the epithelial glycoprotein 2 has potent anti-tumoural activity on chemotherapy resistant lung cancer.
Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 44: 1-9, 1997.
PubMedAltenschmidt U, Kahl R, Moritz D, Schnierle B, Gerstmayer B, Wels W, Groner B.
Cytolysis of tumor cells expressing the Neu/erbB-2, erbB-3 and erbB-4 receptors by genetically targeted, naive T lymphocytes.
Clin. Cancer Res. 2: 1001-1008, 1996.
PubMedFominaya J, Wels W.
Target cell-specific DNA transfer mediated by a chimeric multi-domain protein – novel non-viral gene delivery system.
J. Biol. Chem. 271: 10560-10568, 1996.
PubMedSchmidt M, Hynes NE, Groner B, Wels W.
A bivalent single chain antibody-toxin specific for ErbB-2 and the EGF receptor.
Int. J. Cancer 65: 538-546, 1996.
PubMedWels W, Beerli R, Hellmann P, Schmidt M, Marte BM, Kornilova ES, Hekele A, Mendelsohn J, Groner B, Hynes NE.
EGF receptor and p185erbB-2 specific single-chain antibody-toxins differ in their cell killing activity on tumor cells expressing both receptor proteins.
Int. J. Cancer 60: 137-144, 1995.
PubMedBeerli RR, Wels W, Hynes NE.
Intracellular expression of single chain antibodies reverts erbB-2 transformation.
J. Biol. Chem. 269: 23931-23936, 1994.
PubMedMoritz D, Wels W, Mattern J, Groner B.
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes with a grafted recognition specificity for erbB-2 expressing tumor cells.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91: 4318-4322, 1994.
PubMedHarwerth IM, Wels W, Schlegel J, Müller M, Hynes NE.
Monoclonal antibodies directed to the erbB-2 receptor inhibit in vivo tumour cell growth.
Brit. J. Cancer 68: 1140-1145, 1993.
PubMedWels W, Harwerth IM, Müller M, Groner B, Hynes NE.
Selective inhibition of tumor cell growth by a recombinant single-chain antibody-toxin specific for the erbB-2 receptor.
Cancer Res. 52: 6310-6317, 1992.
PubMedWels W, Harwerth IM, Zwickl M, Hardman N, Groner B, Hynes NE.
Construction, bacterial expression and characterization of a bifunctional single-chain antibody-phosphatase fusion protein targeted to the human erbB-2 receptor.
Biotechnology 10: 1128-1132, 1992.
PubMedHarwerth IM, Wels W, Marte BM, Hynes NE.
Monoclonal antibodies against the extracellular domain of the erbB-2 receptor function as partial ligand agonists.
J. Biol. Chem. 267: 15160-15167, 1992.
PubMed