Dr. med. Benjamin Ruf receives an award at the 37th German Cancer Congress

During the 37th German Cancer Congress (DKK) in Berlin, the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation for Immuno-Oncology recognized three exceptional young researchers at the "Young Scientists IO" Research Award ceremony. Their work is paving the way for new perspectives in cancer treatment. Dr. Benjamin Ruf was among those honored for his scientific contributions to immuno-oncology, receiving prize money as part of the honor. The foundation acknowledges groundbreaking research that furthers immunotherapies and broadens the potential of immuno-oncology for patients with this biennial award.

The research conducted by Dr. Benjamin Ruf at the M3 Research Center uncovers a novel immunological mechanism that may have therapeutic applications in the future. Upon exposure to TCR ligands 5-OP-RU, these cells manifest a marked inflammatory and cytotoxic TH1/NK-like signature, while also bolstering the tumor defense mechanisms of ILC1 and NK cells. His results demonstrate that activated MAIT cells have strong antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo, and that they help coordinate an effective cancer defense alongside other innate immune cells. Dr. Ruf's research establishes MAIT cells as a promising new target for future immuno-oncology treatments aimed at liver cancer.

Find out more about the work of the two other young scientists: https://www.journalonko.de/news/medizin/young-scientists-io-2026-herausragende-forschungsarbeiten-ausgezeichnet

Find out more about the German Cancer Congress: https://www.krebsgesellschaft.de/veranstaltungen/unsere-veranstaltungen/dkk and https://www.deutscher-krebskongress.de/