Annette Paschen

Prof. Dr. Annette Paschen is a full Professor and Group Leader of the Molecular Tumor Immunology research group at the Clinic for Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, affiliated with the University of Duisburg-Essen. Her research focuses on understanding immune escape mechanisms in melanoma, particularly how tumor cells evade recognition and destruction by cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. She is actively involved in translational oncology, contributing to the development of more effective immunotherapies and targeted treatments.

Her research interests include Molecular Tumor Immunology, Melanoma, Immune Escape, Cancer Immunotherapy, T cell Recognition, and NK Cell Biology. She investigates how alterations in HLA expression, interferon signaling, and oncogenic pathways contribute to resistance against immune checkpoint blockade and targeted therapies. Her work integrates molecular biology, immunology, and clinical data to uncover mechanisms that limit treatment efficacy.

The recent publications reveal a strong focus on resistance to immunotherapy, including the role of gene regulatory networks (e.g., TCF4), spatial proteomics of T-cell infiltration, and the impact of cytokine signaling (e.g., IL-17). Her research spans melanoma and extends to pancreatic cancer, demonstrating broad relevance in oncology. She frequently collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across institutions, publishing in high-impact journals such as Nature Medicine, Cell, and Nature Communications.

Among her scientific contributions are insights into IFNγ resistance, BRAF inhibitor effects on immune cells, and mechanisms of immune evasion via MHC class I downregulation. These findings are critical for developing combination therapies and predictive biomarkers.

She mentors several students and leads a research team including postdoctoral scientists and lab technicians. Her work is supported by major research consortia and funding programs, including DFG, EU, and NRW initiatives, although specific grants are not detailed in the provided text.