Anna Lena Illert

Lena Illert is Chair for Personalized Oncology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Medical Director of the Centre for Personalized Medicine (ZPM) at University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar in Munich. She leads the research group focused on personalized oncology and plays a central role in translational cancer research and clinical implementation of molecular therapies.

Her research interests lie at the intersection of molecular oncology and personalized medicine, with a focus on identifying novel therapeutic targets and predictive biomarkers. Her work employs genetically defined mouse models of hematological (AML, T-NHL) and non-hematological (NSCLC) malignancies to study tumor microenvironment, immune escape, DNA damage repair, ubiquitin signaling, and oncogenic tyrosine kinases. Her lab utilizes cutting-edge multi-OMIC analyses and spatial imaging technologies to characterize key molecular players in tumor development and assess their therapeutic vulnerability. A major emphasis of her research is the bidirectional translation of findings between bench and bedside through collaboration with the TUM Molecular Tumor Board (MTB).

Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in translational oncology, with a focus on rare cancers, molecular tumor boards, and precision therapy. Articles span genomics, transcriptomics, leukemia biology, and immunotherapy, demonstrating an integrative approach to cancer research. She has contributed significantly to understanding mechanisms in chronic myeloid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, lymphoma, and bone marrow failure syndromes.

• Mildred Scheel Professorship (W3), German Cancer Aid (2023)
• Advanced Clinician Scientist Fellowship, DGIM (2020)
• Poster Awards, DGHO (2018, 2023)
• Eleonore und Fritz Hodeige-Prize (2017)
• Brigitte-Schlieben-Langen-Fellowship (2015)
• Mathilde-Wagner-Habilitation-Prize (2015)
• ASH/EHA Abstract and Travel Awards (2009–2013)
• Fellowship, DFG Graduate College 80 (1999)

Lena Illert has played a significant role in mentoring researchers and advancing clinical trials, having led research groups and participated in early-phase clinical studies. She has held leadership positions including Co-Director of CCC Freiburg and spokesperson for its Molecular Tumor Board. She is actively involved in national and regional networks, serving as Spokesperson for the German Network of Personalized Oncology (DNPM) and the Bavarian ZPM Working Group on Molecular Tumor Boards. She also contributes to major oncology guidelines and serves as Section Editor for Der Onkologe.

Her work is conducted within a multidisciplinary environment at TranslaTUM, TUM’s Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research, where she collaborates with clinicians, molecular biologists, and bioinformaticians to advance personalized cancer care.