Immunology
Scientific focus: Inflammation, NASH
Curriculum vitae and publications

Email: vera.joerke( at )med.uni-tuebingen.de
Phone: +49 7071 29 82976
Fax: +49 7071 29 4451

Research interest

Many solid tumors are developing from chronic inflammation as the inflammatory infiltrate is clearly driving the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). The mechanisms and interactions between detrimental pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic immune responses are largely unknown, but understanding the systemic immune responses against tumors is essential for a successful immunotherapy. In my project, I am investigating the inflammatory processes in NASH leading to HCC by non-invasive in vivo imaging and how immunotherapy is influencing this tumor microenvironment. The aim is to develop imaging tools using PET/ MRI that allow early diagnosis and treatment stratification of cancer patients.