Ludwig Cancer Research

Targeting the matrix for anti-tumor T cell revival

Like all hardworking things, the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) of the immune system charged with detecting and destroying cancer cells tend to get very tired—so much so, in fact, that they can even die from exhaustion.

Magazine

Platelets (turquoise surface mask) mop up cell-free (cf) DNA (red) from blood plasma, likely helping to prevent systemic inflammation. They also carry a significant amount of rare cfDNA derived from tumor cells and their inclusion in liquid biopsies could improve the sensitivity of such diagnostic tests.

In the November 2025 issue of Ludwig Link we bring you a bumper crop of research briefs, share our Q&As with three Ludwig trainees and introduce you to a Distinguished Scholar at Ludwig Princeton.

Meet our scientists

Clockwise from top left: Clemens Hinterleitner, Agnes Bilecz and Daniel Kim

Trainees at three Ludwig Centers set aside a little time to tell us about their lives, current research and avocational interests. Here are some excerpts of those engaging conversations.

A Vision Realized: The story of Ludwig Cancer Research

Learn in this brief history about the creation of the Ludwig Institute, the establishment of the Ludwig Centers, how they work together to solve the puzzle of cancer—and the enigmatic, endlessly creative shipping titan who bequeathed his sprawling conglomerate to the whole endeavor.